Agency jurisdiction: Sequoia National Forest. This place was absolutely more amazing then I ever expected. Some travel a few miles, while others may complete the entire trail in a single season. If you read Wild, by Cheryl Strayed, Kennedy Meadows will likely conjure vivid images in your mind. Parking was limited and it was somewhat crowded during memorial day weekend. See if you can find the old railroad bed in Evans Grove. Wildfire and flood events resulted in mud and debris damage to the old trail. Really nice and intense trail! The rest of the ascent is more gradual and there is more forest (spongey ground, shade). If these grasses are grazed too early, their ability to re-seed is hindered. Was too muddy near the lake, so we camped before the lake. ***No Day Use and 2 night camping limit posted at the trailhead (See Video below)***, The USFS website entry for this trailhead is https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/stanislaus/recarea/?recid=81673. Here is the Jackass Meadow trailhead off of Kennedy Meadows Road. We open for the season on the last Friday in April and close on Columbus Day in October. Lake was beautiful, fishing was fantastic! An official website of the The desert continues to bring long stretches with no water. It was a bit cold but amazing stars and gorgeous colors on the hike. Take lots of water. The water level is well below normal.. For overnight wilderness trips on the Stanislaus (into the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, or Mokelumne Wilderness), visitors must obtain a permit from the Summit Ranger Station (in person during office hours or self issue after hours). The Sacatar Trail doesn't go over the pass at the top of Sacatar Can. It was busy over 4th of July weekend but that is to be expected. Did this over the weekend, warmer than we anticipated during the day and very cold at night, so be prepared. Great trip, we camped overnight after crossing damn, on the westside. There is also public transportation from Mammoth Lakes and South Lake Tahoe. Saw a bunch of cows roaming around. Though not far distance-wise, it is a very strenuous hike coming out of the canyon and can take hours with a full pack. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. Start/End Point: Kennedy Meadows Trailhead (Kennedy Meadows TH), Mile ~1: Kennedy Meadows TH to Kennedy Meadows Resort. Make sure you travel with a map and GPS to maintain your course and not get lost. Little swampy towards the end def need waterproof boots. ( If we had another day, we would've either gone up the second day or done a day trip but with limited time, we hiked back down the second day. If you are travelling along the Pacific Crest Trail or into Yosemite National Park you may not self issue your permit. We turned back ~3.5mi up, a little past 3rd bridge, because we started late and didn't want to risk losing light or getting too cold. Setting out from here, the Relief Reservoir Trail will guide you south through a corridor hemmed by rocky bluffs before opening to Kennedy Meadows. Parking: Low clearance vehicles and vehicles with trailers should park at the Kennedy Meadows Trailhead. Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail: Sonora Pass to Latopie Lake, PCT: CA Section J - Sonora Pass to Echo Lake, Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Loop Trail, Disaster Creek Trail: Iceberg Meadow to Paradise Valley, PCT, Golden Canyon, Wolf Creek Pass, and Disaster Creek Loop, Relief Reservoir, Toejam Lake, Powell Lake. Also, trailhead parking is 1.5 miles from the actual trailhead. Bishop, CA 93514, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=81827&actid=51, bear resistant containersor counter balance. "To lovers of the wild, these mountains are not a hundred miles away. Lots of nice sights along the way. Very disappointed, so only 3 stars for what should be a 5 star trail. The Kennedy Meadows trailhead and campground is a good place to begin a trip into the Sierra Nevada because the PCTs steady ascent northward allows you to acclimate relatively slowly to higher altitudes. Sketch talus trail descending from Sharon Lake. The other one is described by the Kennedy Meadow (N) page. Wouldn't mind trying this again with an earlier start! More like an 18 mile loop. This post is about our most recent backpacking trip that we took on the last weekend of May 2021: Kennedy Meadows trailhead to Relief Reservoir to Kennedy Lake back to Kennedy Meadows. . YMMV: Some weirdo didn't like that we had a controlled campfire going and confronted me about fire safety even though we had permits and followed proper rules. Grazing in these areas too early, even once, can have lasting impacts. Camper I trees past lake. At Kennedy Meadows continue north onto 21S08 In approximately one mile, turn right and follow the signs to the Wildrose Trail. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' Would highly recommend. ), you can get all of your food needs there for any last-minute snacking! The Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Trail is arguably one of the most scenic adventures in the Stanislaus National Forest. 9 Conclusion Map - Pacific Crest Trail Week 9 Distance 135 km Min altitude 1401 m Peak 2440 m Climb 4642 m Descent 4196 m Day 57: 1,000 km and an important decision Day: June 01st, 2019 Distance: 17.6 mi, 28.16 km Cumulative: 635.3 mi, 1,016.48 km Overview (from 2014): From here you can ride into the Emigrant Wilderness, Carson Iceberg Wilderness or northern Yosemite National Park. Peaceful views of the meadow in the beginning then rocky hills as well as some greens and occasional waterfalls. The average asking price of a property in Unionville is $1,675,101, with an approximate mortgage of $6,114 per month. (209) 965-3900. As previously reviewed there are stretches of sand that are not too fun. Quick disclaimer: forgot to end the hike on the app. If you're using Kennedy Meadows as a trailhead, make sure you know which one! At the lake, we were able to find a campfire circle where we could make a fire. No regard for horse riders at all, I too wonder if my rig 35 trailer would fit. Beautiful and well traveled trail with many waterfalls and lake view. Immediately after the second one, you will arrive at the new Monarch Wilderness boundary sign. The trail from Kennedy Meadows climbs steadily up past Relief Reservoir and on up Summit Creek. Once you get to the sharp right, there is no trail and you need to scramble quite a bit up granite boulders to keep going in the general direction thatis shown on the app (note: it's a straightline so definitely not a real path). As a result, mud and debris cover the old trail and there are steep gullies where there used to be a trail. There are usually quite a few people here, but the scenery is unequaled. 18th October 2016 Tent site - Kennedy Meadows 10.5 miles + 0.7 miles to KM 636ft up 2559ft down This place is incredible, I will definitely be coming back! Stunning late fall colors in the mountains, and nice to get the elevation gain out of the way at the beginning. Yes, there was irony in the name: relief from the COVID restrictions was what we desired. Help protect and maintain the Pacific Crest Trail by donating to the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Also, is it always just 2 nights. This isolated wilderness area offersspectacular views into Kings Canyon and serene solitude down at Boulder Creek. Progressing further along the path, you will pass a stronger, more picturesque waterfall cascading from Kennedy Creek through the valley. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 43 min to complete. For Rent: 520 - Retail, bed, bath, 176 sqft at 8339 KENNEDY UNITRD in Village Green - South Unionville. Lovely alpine meadow last mile in. Over 40 miles (starting at Kennedy Meadows . I hiked this trail on July 27-29 as a 2-night, 3-day backpack with my son. Meadows and other vegetated areas, if grazed too early in the summer, can interrupt the necessary growth stages of grasses. You can try to balance across the logs but I couldn't with my pack on. Left me with one to come back on. An alternative trail for an eastside Sierra exit is the Olancha Pass Trail. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Located off the Kennedy Meadows Resort, the Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Trail is an easily accessible route. website belongs to an official government organization in the Official websites use .gov A .gov The trail is well-marked until the end. I did a solo backpacking trip out to Kennedy Lake and was stunned at how under travelled it was by people (and bugs). joining the Pacific Crest Trail Association. This trail does not have a lot of information. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Along the creek, you can find spaces to camp and they have this large group area where the resort supplies pack mules for people who want a hands-off overnight camping experience. During dry years, and always at high elevations, fires are banned. Trailhead parking is ~1 mile before actual trailhead, if you want to avoid this dropoff backpacks at Kennedy Meadows store and have some park car at trailhead, save 2 miles walking on a boring road. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. Took about 3 hours back and forth. I couldnt do that while tagging along with someone else.. Well maintained trail, many waterfalls and view points. For information about modern stock packing ethics, and the history of packing in the Sierra Nevada, view the video above. Resevoir is refreshing to swim in. The 1st bridge has an amazing (freezing) swimming hole, perfect to cool down from August temperatures. All campsites are first come, first serve. This is was a beautiful hike with lots of waterfalls, granite cliffs and a lot of up if your looking for a great work out, but so worth it! If you intend to get to ridge lake in one day in the summer, make sure you get an early start and minimize time under the sun. Kennedy Meadows was amazing - For years, Mango and I had been picturing walking around the corner and seeing the Kennedy Meadows General Store. If you're looking for Bigfoot this is not his preferred environment. Its 1.9 miles each way to the bridge over the South Fork of the Kern River. You should have a paper map and compass with you, and be familiar with reading topographical maps to understand the terrain . And we were hungry. When you get to the Kennedy Lake meadow area, the trail is lost and you will have to trudge through high grass and swampy terrain. Its pretty muddy/marshy at the top. List view Map view. Lots of signs of bears along trail, but no sightings. Swimmers Tip: the creek below the dam is icy cold water from the bottom of the reservoir, but the surface water in the lake this time of year is quite a bit warmer. Lots of dragon flies. Kennedy Meadow is normally referred to as a place to drive through on your way to somewhere else. well marked trail and beautiful. As others mentioned, lots of horse/mule poop - didnt bother us. The trail leads directly into a Wilderness Area where a FREE wilderness permit is REQUIRED anytime a person or group travels OVERNIGHT. Great weather. Map Information. Intense. Absolutely beautiful landscape. 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