If you want a quiet hike choose a week day. The hike itself is a lot of up hill at the front end. Plus we know what we are in for if we go out on Labor Day weekend. Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Trail ist ein 6.1 Meilen langer, moderat besuchter Hin- und Rückweg in der Nähe von Pinecrest, Kalifornien. There some 40 or so trailheads in STAN/Carlson-Iceberg alone. The views were beautiful. Note that the upper portion of the creek is dry in late summer. Any recommendations for alternate trailheads or routes? More posts from the norcalhiking community, A subreddit for Northern Californian folks interested in hiking and backpacking to meet up, discuss/plan trips, recommend trails, post gear reviews, trip reviews, etc. I certainly don’t need to stomp on road apples in the searing heat and straight uphill. Rome2rio makes travelling from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Kennedy Meadows easy. That way you get the backpacking experience without killing her/you and you still get some adventure and higher elev scenery. MONDAY THRU FRIDAY THRU 7/22/11 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION - MOTORISTS ARE SUBJECT Aufgrund der Steigung und Distanz ist die Strecke als moderat einzustufen. We saw some overnight hikers but the trail is wide and it's easy to keep your distance. July 17, 2009 September 21, 2009 vero. Location: Emigrant Wilderness, Tuolumne County Trailhead: Kennedy Meadows, elevation 6,300 feet Kennedy Lake elevation: 7,800 feet Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet Hiking Distance: 7.7 miles Best seasons: Late spring through mid-fall Campsites: Along Kennedy Creek Popular activities: Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, photography, wildflower viewing, peak climbing 2nd 36hrs were Smokey and ash dropping on us the entire time. It was busy over 4th of July weekend but that is to be expected. Love the views, the river, the high Sierra environs. Any other recommendations in the Stan Forest / Carlson-Iceberg Area? U.S. Route 395 (from the Eastern Sierras) Just wanted to drop a line and thank you for this advice. This is a Hiking trip up the trail from Kennedy Meadows to Kennedy Lake. Great hike with beautiful views. We open for the season on the last Friday in April and close on Columbus Day in October. Have a beer when you finish. We spoke with other hikers on the way down and they noted there are some online resources that describe the best off trail route to Ridge Lake from Summit Creek. Beautiful views and river crossings. - http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/sr108 <- We turned right here on the smaller trail, through the gully and up the other side. Amazing to look out over the reservoir with snow capped mountains at the top. There is ample free parking and several campsites on the drive up in case the trailhead is full. A fantastic hike with beautiful views all the the way up. We started around 10am and it was already getting hot. We park in the designated hiking parking area which adds roughly .75 miles to the hike. It is a little resort, complete with a C-store, a hiker bunk house, a great shower and laundry set up, and a restaurant. 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 that is shown on the app (note: it's a straight line so definitely not a real path). Trails around resevoir were very confusing and didnt always coincide with the maps. After the second bridge you can take the horse trail to the right, or the stairs straight up. Hunde sind auf diesem Weg erlaubt. Kennedy Lake and Meadows via Leavitt Lake – HIGH ADVENTURE! Believe it or not, I was really good about writing my blog on my phone every night this week. Perfect to jump into the lake. I am not terribly worried about crowds. We camped at Troy Meadows Campground and rode for 3 days here. Kennedy Meadows may not be as popular as other cities in United States, but don’t let that fool you. Come and stay with us at the resort, go for a day ride, or let us pack you into the Emigrant Wilderness, Carson Iceberg Wilderness, or northern Yosemite National Park. We complied, sniffing the familiar vanilla and butterscotch aroma of the Jeffrey pine bark. Trail along Relief Creek Kennedy Meadows to Kennedy Lake Trail Junction, 2.6 miles From the resort, cross the meadow to the first bridge and then begin a steep climb along an old road used to build Relief Dam in the early 1900s. Great beginner backpacking for families. We will definitely be back for a full three day trip (camp near grouse creek/end of reservoir on the first night, go up to ridge lake for night 2, and come back on the third day). Intense. 1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 7.8 MI EAST OF You might also consider the Meiss trailhead along Carson Pass Hwy, 14 mile is equivalent to the combined length of 5.8 Hollywood Walk of Fames. The 7-mile hike from Kennedy Meadowsto Kennedy Lakeis one of the classic overnight backpacking outings in the Emigrant Wilderness. and spent about an hour there at the first point you can go down (at the large rusted pipe) to get water (need to take packs off for the last bit to scramble a little). When I got to Northern Kennedy Meadows, however, and tried to upload the page using their Wi Fi, everything disappeared. Every thing I am reading is warning me of the initial climb. And that area is so beautiful, you'll want to take breaks to stop and look at the scenery anyways : ). Got back last night. It’s was a good trail. Kennedy Meadows off Highway 108 near Sonora Pass is a popular gathering place for campers, hikers, horseback riders, and anglers. Sonora Pass is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. It was pretty much his first backpacking trip and he had no complaints at all. Lots of great camping site around the reservoir. This will dump you out at a good vista over the lake and dam. To that point, the trail is well defined (sandy / loose rocks / horse poop) and fairly sunny. The original Kennedy Meadows lodge was erected in 1917. We then hiked up to where there is a sharp right on the trail in AllTrails at Summit Creek. However, you can take the bus to L. A. The trail was sandy with lots of horse traffic and poop. The lake is beautiful, we bouldered down to the water and sat for a while there. I have analysis paralysis. The trail is easy to follow, but the lake is a little farther out than you'd think. I am not terribly worried about crowds. We went and visited the exact spot and took a pic. Oh and also I wanted to thank you for the spot recommendation. Restaurant will open Mothers Day weekend and the horses open Memorial Weekend! Thank you for the sage wisdom! It was also my favorite pass, maybe because my fear had gone down, but it felt like I could see the entire world. Let me know if you want more details. Solid hike. Thank you for any guidance. Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station, Sonora, California. PCT: CA Section J - Sonora Pass to Echo Lake, Pacific Crest Trail: Sonora Pass to Latopie Lake, Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Loop Trail, Disaster Creek Trail: Iceberg Meadow to Paradise Valley, Carson-Iceberg Backpacking Loop: Golden Canyon, Elder Creek, Disaster Creek, Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Trail, 2020 AllTrails, LLC Alle Rechte vorbehalten. A little to cold for swimming but perfect to dip your feet in. On the main trail, the three main spots for water are Relief Reservoir (slight detour), Grouse Creek (was flowing in late august but unsure about other times), and Summit Creek. Bonus: There is a general store by the trailhead at Kennedy Meadows for a cold beer after the hike! The second day, we went about 13, past Emigrant, and with additional climbing. We hiked up the reservoir (which is gorgeous!) My feeling is that 2020 is a special year and If I hike far enough I will eventually find some space. We were doing this around 4pm after about 3,000 ft of elevation under the sun. . By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Find all the transport options for your trip from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Kennedy Meadows right here. Steve and I were having too much fun pushing each other faster and faster. The walk along the reservoir trail is breath-taking. - 7/21/11 8:19 PM PDT <- Kennedy Meadows North is NOT Kennedy Meadows South. Looking back down at Leavitt Lake from Leavitt Pass . Kennedy Meadows beauty is all encompassing. A great hike with a lot of beautiful sights to see. [IN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA] 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. Our store, cabins, and bar are open! We had a wonderful time. Closer to 9 miles if you go to the water past the creek. - 7/21/11 8:19 PM PDT <- We started Saturday morning with the intention to get to Ridge Lake in one day. Miles: 7.6. The Kennedy Meadows trailhead and campground is a good place to begin a trip into the Sierra Nevada because the PCT’s steady ascent northward allows you to acclimate relatively slowly to higher altitudes. Granted we were young, in shape and very outdoorsy. Full ride report at livelikepete.com We camped at a site next to the trailhead. The ice cold beer at the store when we got back was a great reward Most definitely recommend this hike. I really was impressed. Be sure to bring a bear canister. This hike is at least 8 miles. The restaurant is open all afternoon for a late lunch if needed. Rumor is you can park up past the restaurant if you're a day hiker. Still an amazing trip. I hated entering from Kennedy meadows because the horse traffic from the resort has destroyed the trail and made it feel more like a multi lane highway. One way is not significantly better than the other. When you get to the trail Y, keep right until you reach the old boiler section. Not too crowded on a Thursday afternoon and recommend turning right after the second bridge (wooden one) as it's a much easier on joints than the left steep stone stairs. However, there is spring fed water flowing in it starting at about 8400', even during late summer on a dry year. Many visitors use the local campgrounds or the resort as their base and head out to try their luck on the South Fork of the Stanislaus River.Great catches are made all along the river from around Baker and Deadman campgrounds all the way up to Kennedy Meadows. You can see Sonora Peak and Leavit Peak as you walk along the river. The people were friendly and set us up in a bunk room with five beds, which we promptly spread out on. In the spring the businesses are awash with hikers waiting for the snow to melt in the Sierras. Cross a second bridge and after … Can anyone comment on Kennedy Meadows to Emigrant Lake as a first time backpacking hike for me and my 15yo daughter? One of the best trails is Kennedy Meadows to Snow Lake. 08/22/2020 - I agree the hike is moderate. Restaurant will open Mothers Day weekend and the horses open Memorial Weekend! We would say it’s moderately hard. But when the breeze kicked in, it was nice. I would rate as moderately easy. The final summit ridge is an easy class 3 ascent. It was beautiful. Lake Isabella to Kennedy Meadows: Ugly and Beautiful. It is one of the most horse friendly paths in the Sierra. We ended up finding an awesome spot on the creek and with easy access to the reservoir itself. The climb was a challenge for me but around every corner there was something beautiful to behold. - http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/us395 <- NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA. It’s actually been my only stumbling block. I like the challenge of the incline on the way to Relief Reservoir but it was still really doable. Union Station station, take the walk to L. A. The car had long-since been packed, all we needed was an inspiring destination. Bring plenty of water a hat for protection because there is little shade. Kennedy Lake - Key Facts. The hike itself is a lot of up hill at the front end. But overall a really nice day hike! Not a fan of sharing the trail with so many horses and mules. This is exactly what we did and it was perfect first time for my daughter and me. This is what I can remember: June 11- 11 miles, camping above Shadow Lake on the JMT Plus we know what we are in for if we go out on Labor Day weekend. . Er führt entlang eines Sees, entlang eines Flusses und es gibt einen Wasserfall und schöne Wildblumen. The weather was at the high of 70 degrees so it was a little warm. Really sandy too for much of the trail. The river was raging. It might be worthwhile for me to listen to the smarter folks here. Thank you for the help. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Our store, cabins, and bar are open! Day 67: Mile 1009.3 to Mile 1016.9: Sonora Pass/Kennedy Meadows North. Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station, Pinecrest: See 40 traveler reviews, 53 candid photos, and great deals for Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station, ranked #1 of 2 specialty lodging in Pinecrest and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor. We did pass a few groups that went from Ridge Lake all the way down in a day. It's a great hike, but it's a lot to take in all in one go, especially the initial climb up. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/kennedy-lake-trail Kennedy Meadows is located approximately 60 miles East of Sonora, nestled high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We drove to the trailhead on Friday night, arriving around 7pm. The lazy rivers were my favorite. It was the perfect hike to introduce a friend to backpacking. [IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA] You gave me a lot of confidence so again I thank you. Excellent thank you for the suggestion. Lovely trip. Sonora Pass was my favorite part of the Sierra Nevada section of the PCT. Cross a second bridge and after a stiff climb, pass the turnoff to Kennedy Lake. This is what you get for ‘winging it’. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. US 395 Kennedy Meadows is also a remote hamlet reached by 25 miles of narrow, STEEP, twisty road. It is a 17 mi/27.4 km ride, that climbs about 3000 ft/914.4 m to reach Snow Lake, in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. The trail follows the river out of Kennedy Meadows, climbing along the old construction road used to build Relief Dam in the early 19th Century. After we got our relaxation on, we decided it was time to gear up and get a quick taste of Kennedy Meadows. Once you conquer going up, the downhill is much more relaxed. Kennedy Meadows Resort and Pack Station A - Summit Creek B - Kennedy Lake C - Lower Relief Valley D - Upper Relief Valley E - Emigrant Meadow F - Emigrant Lake G - Snow Lake H - Maxwell Lake I - Upper Twin Lake J - Bigelow Lake K - Buck Lake L - Dorothy Lake M - Huckleberry Lake N - Tilden Lake O - Benson Lake LONG BARN TO 6 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY (TUOLUMNE CO) FROM 0700 HRS TO 1700 HRS We can start trips out of Leavitt Meadow, Leavitt Lake, Sonora Pass, or Kennedy Meadows Pack Station and hike to any of these other Highway 108 trailheads once we hike up to the Kennedy Canyon trail junction on the PCT. I was also a bit nervous about making new… SR 108 Kennedy built a cabin, which still stands today, where the resort is now located. NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA. Die Route ist das ganze Jahr über zugänglich. Sonora Pass is seasonal, also check SR 108 above After about 0.7 miles we decided to turn back and camp at Summit Creek instead. I don’t have the best of knees so they were definitely swollen when we got back to Kennedy Meadows. Es gibt verschiedene Aktivitätsmöglichkeiten. With our grand plans thwarted due to weather reports indicating rain (conspiracy), we had to improvise. The nearest airport to Kennedy Meadows is Bakersfield (BFL). Day 40: Mile 702.2 (Kennedy Meadows) to Mile 712.6 Miles: 10.4 Steps: 32,694 Elevation Gain: 2,430 After taking a week off to prepare for the upcoming months of snow travel, and visit family in Vegas, I was ready, and excited, to get back on the trail! All in all, it's a beautiful trail. It’s uphill most of the way there, with downhill being a bit slippery in the sand on the way back. I spent my first night in a hammock. 15K likes. be careful of the excessive Horse Manure, We stumbled upon this trail while riding up North From Los Banos. We hiked this several years ago as part of a 50 mile trip with our Boy Scout troop, so the kids were experienced backpackers. Great trail! It's hard but not crazy, at least we didn't think so. Great payoff for a relatively short hike. Great waterfalls and granite walls...and then you come to the reservoir! You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination. Nice steady uphill hike to lake. Up hill all the way to the lake without a lot of shade so be prepared with some sunscreen, hat & water. Can't remember all the places we also went (spent 7 days out there) but again the Emigrant Wilderness is so beautiful, can't go wrong with any trail. The biggest downside is that the trail is used by a lot of horses so you have to constantly dodge horse poop. But worth the views. June 2, 2020. Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Trail ist ein 9.8 Kilometer langer, moderat besuchter Hin- und Rückweg in der Nähe von Pinecrest, Kalifornien. And I did out of Kennedy Meadows offers the last Friday in April and close on Columbus day October. 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