Half way between Sacramento and Crestline, CA?

[dakonthemountai]

Hi All! Well, I"m FINALLY going to be able to use my new to me camper, after having it for 10 months!!! Short trip as it may be, I'm SO excited about it!! I'm heading up to Davis to a family UC Davis graduation party and will first do driveway camping for 2 nights (quiet, green and pretty neighborhood! ) Then, per a recommendation from Buzzcut, I've got reservations at Rancho Seco Recreational Park for 2 nights... Which brings me to my question. After Rancho Seco I want to stop half way (or so) between there and my home in Crestline, CA. Traveling on the 5 or the 99 there doesn't seem to be much of anything. I've looked into the Kern River area, but it's too far out of the way on my path (though I don't mind an hour or so off the path!) and this time of year it is swarming with party folks.... not my bag. Any suggestions? Don't need hookups. Just want peace and quiet and something nice to look at for one night. Oh, and I don't mind a short "dirt or gravel road", but I'm most definitely not an off-roader..

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Dak

[bikepsych]

My vote is for Kennedy Meadows. Head north on the 14 past where it joins the 395 near Ridgecrest. Turn left at 9 mile road. The sign for http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sequoia/recreation/recarea/?recid=79727&actid=29Kennedy Meadows is well marked.


BG

[Gonzo42]

I've done that route with my motorcycle (fun!) and with my truck. As you say, comfort level is the deal. I'm definitely not comfortable with the Mother Ship on that road.

One of our sons has a cabin in Crestline. We like it there. We originally planned to get a cabin and then switched to a MH.

[dakonthemountai]

Gonzo42 wrote:
Do NOT take hwy 138 from the interstate 15. Close to town there are some wicked curves: narrow, tight, off-camber and steep.

Instead take the 15 to the 210 East and go up from there.

I suppose it all depends on one's comfort level. As I wrote, I've driven the 138 both from Hesperia (as well as the 15) many times for years with my TCs....large ones! It is (in my opinion) no worse than climbing up from Hesperia. It's also a beautiful drive From Interstate 15, as one traverses the high desert and then climbs up to over 5,000' elevation (to where my home is in Crestline.) 🙂

Dak

[dakonthemountai]

profdant139 wrote:
Do you have time to take 99 and take a detour up 180 to Kings Canyon? Azalea Campground is at 6500 feet -- right next to Grant Grove, giant sequoias. It would take you about 90 minutes to get from 99 to the campground.

Another great idea! I would indeed have enough time, and though I live in the mountains The Sequoias are another breed of magnificant! I've not been there since I was a child; though I do camp in the Redwoods (Big Basin) Thanks!

Dak

[profdant139]

Do you have time to take 99 and take a detour up 180 to Kings Canyon? Azalea Campground is at 6500 feet -- right next to Grant Grove, giant sequoias. It would take you about 90 minutes to get from 99 to the campground.

[Buzzcut1]

I have driven up 138 many times it's not that harda drive. Of course I am a bit demented. I thought nothing of driving my Truck TC and horse trailer up Black road in the Santa Cruz mts. Grade got up to 14% width varied from two narrow lanes to 1,5 lanes on nasty hairpins that required you to hug the outside fog line whether it was on the drivers or passenger side to get the truck and trailer around. Climbs 3000 feet in 5 miles. But you get used to roads like that when you live in the mountains and drive them every day

[Gonzo42]

Do NOT take hwy 138 from the interstate 15. Close to town there are some wicked curves: narrow, tight, off-camber and steep.

Instead take the 15 to the 210 East and go up from there.

[dakonthemountai]

poriggity wrote:
I dont really have much to offer, but I don't know how much fun the back side of the mountain would be from apple valley to crestline with a camper... I don't even like doing it in my truck without camper...

I've done the back way down the 138 to Silverwood/Hesperia/Apple Valley many, many with my campers and even a 27' fiver!!! THAT was fun! I just go slow. I've got a rental house down in Apple Valley I have to spend time at from time to time so I bring the camper to stay if I've got lots of work to do for more than a day. We'll do it sometime to Silverwood!! I'll lead and you just hold on and follow! 🙂

Dak

[dakonthemountai]

These are great suggestions guys! Don't worry Jefe, I stay as far away from LA as possible! We have a home in Burbank also, but since I live in the mountain house in Crestline most of the time I'm not inclined so much to travel up to mountains on this trip. The idea of BLM land over the Tehachapis sounds good though, as well as Buzzcut's Carrizo Plains idea... Hmmmm... got some thinking and research to do! I have a week to finish planning though. Buzzcut, The Carrizo Plans sounds heavenly!! I bookmarked the site and will do a lot more extensive research on the area tonite!

Thanks again for the ideas!! I Can't wait!! 🙂

Dak

[poriggity]

I dont really have much to offer, but I don't know how much fun the back side of the mountain would be from apple valley to crestline with a camper... I don't even like doing it in my truck without camper...

[jefe_4x4]

DAK,
there is not much along the southern San Joaquin Valley Desert. Your best bet is to get up to Gorman and turn right (west-ish) and get up high into the Pinion Mountain area. Lots of N.F. and BLM areas up there near Frasier Park. It will be a little cooler than down in the desert.
Another idea is from the 5 or 99 to take Hwy 58 S.E. from Bakersfield over Tehachapi mts. and find a campsite nearby in BLM land. Also slightly higher (5K feet) elevation to take the temper out of the heat. Then ride the backside of the San Gabriels and approach your home from the N.E. side.
I lived in the area for the first 60 years of my life and have seen a slow transition to desert in the last 5 years.
Southern california, LA and vicinity area is devoid of good camping opportunities unless you get up into the mountains. It is not RV friendly.
Good luck. Bring some water with you when you return.
jefe

[Buzzcut1]

Dak go east over 50 then down 395 and go up to Crestline from Apple valley on the Backside

Mono Lake, the Obsidian Piles, Hot Springs south of Mammoth lakes Airport off Benton Crossing rd, Lower Rock creek... Man I could go on and on. but if you must stay west Kings Canyon Three rivers area. Carizzo Plain off 5 on 58 & 33
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/carrizo.html

[2oldman]

35.891201, -120.046963