Question about Kennedy Meadows in Southern Sierra

[profdant139]

There is still a lot of snow at the higher elevations in the Sierra, but I think it may have largely melted off in the Kennedy Meadows area. (This is the KM area near Pearsonville in the southern Sierra, not the one near Sonora Pass.) I know the road in and out is tough, but I think I can handle it, slowly and carefully, both up and down. We have never been up there, even though it is much closer to home than the northeastern part of the Sierra, where we often go.

My real question is this: although I very strongly support the idea that folks should be free to ride ATVs and motorcycles on forest roads, I don't really want to be around motorized vehicles when I am hiking and camping -- I like silence. The impression I get from various reports on that part of the Sierra is that there is a lot of off-road vehicle activity. Is it possible to find peace and quiet up in that area, or should I look elsewhere? Are different parts of that zone (maybe around Sherman Pass) quieter than other parts?

Assuming that there is not too much motorized action up there, can you recommend some good hiking trails? My research has not turned up much -- the guidebooks don't focus on that part of the Sierra at all.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[slickrock_steve]

If you are willing to go over to the Kern River side, there is Big Meadows,Cannell Meadow, and Horse Flats off of "Cherry Creek Road. It is a LONG way back there, and that road is kind of rotten,and "Holey" but not righteous. At the 8600 ft end, is a camp with a single outhouse, and some great sounds of the Salmon Creek bubbling by. ( Cows in the meadow too!)
Hiking up or down the creek, or going up the trails from there, you can hike to the top at the old forest lookout, and it is I think 11,500 ft! ( Be sure to check out the view from the door less outhouse overlooking the Dome Land wilderness!)

[greenrvgreen]

Also--

The best hiking (IMO) is the Whitney portal and immediate south area, and it is WAY to early for that.

[greenrvgreen]

Kennedy meadows is bound to be free of snow, and May is still early in the season for ATVers (whom I support in the lawful enjoyment of the outdoors). However, kennedy meadows and the extreme southern Sierra does not have a rep for "Leave no trace" camping, and I would expect that if there were other campers there they would be of that ilk.