Explorer 1
Explorer 1
Always looking for new trail to explore, I have been long waiting to check out another location in the Southern Sierra's.
Monache Meadows listed in Charles Wells book, Northern California 4x4 trails is listed as a fairly easy dirt road with approx 9 miles one way of dirt. To get there one had to travel some rather obscure paved roads which could in themselves be considered part of the adventure.
With the erosion of the trail over the past several years, the trail would better be described with a moderate rating. I was in my Tacoma and on the way in I drove in 2WD but I could tell that on the way out 4WD would be necessary in a few spots due to the steepness and loose sand and rocks.
Finding the trail is part of the adventure as some of the signs which help you find the trail are missing. If you have a good general idea of the landmarks and possible destination names you can find the trail. Once on it the guide book is pretty accurate.
There is a lot of narrow driving thorough the tree that may challenge a full size vehicle. The 9 miles takes longer than one would have thought. Once one comes in view of the meadows views open up and one can find the South Fork of the Kern flowing through.
There are lots of camping spots. This meadow is really quite far from any major city and I would think that one would have most of the meadows to themselves on an over night trip. I saw no one the entire drive in.
Just before the road end there is a neat rocky river crossing that might be an adventure all it's own early in the season. Once across there are several good campsite at what is call the Bakeoven campsite. The only people I saw were a small group camping here.
The South Fork of the Kern does have trout (I could see them) and depending on the snow fall and the time of year would effect the size and flow of the river. I took some time to explore a few of the numerous side road, many of which just dead end or are closed by a gate at the boundary of the Golden Trout Wilderness area.
I was early enough to even enjoy some of the flowers:
Definitely worth a second visit and I will most likely bring a group up here sometime.
Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1
Monache Meadows listed in Charles Wells book, Northern California 4x4 trails is listed as a fairly easy dirt road with approx 9 miles one way of dirt. To get there one had to travel some rather obscure paved roads which could in themselves be considered part of the adventure.
With the erosion of the trail over the past several years, the trail would better be described with a moderate rating. I was in my Tacoma and on the way in I drove in 2WD but I could tell that on the way out 4WD would be necessary in a few spots due to the steepness and loose sand and rocks.
Finding the trail is part of the adventure as some of the signs which help you find the trail are missing. If you have a good general idea of the landmarks and possible destination names you can find the trail. Once on it the guide book is pretty accurate.
There is a lot of narrow driving thorough the tree that may challenge a full size vehicle. The 9 miles takes longer than one would have thought. Once one comes in view of the meadows views open up and one can find the South Fork of the Kern flowing through.
There are lots of camping spots. This meadow is really quite far from any major city and I would think that one would have most of the meadows to themselves on an over night trip. I saw no one the entire drive in.
Just before the road end there is a neat rocky river crossing that might be an adventure all it's own early in the season. Once across there are several good campsite at what is call the Bakeoven campsite. The only people I saw were a small group camping here.
The South Fork of the Kern does have trout (I could see them) and depending on the snow fall and the time of year would effect the size and flow of the river. I took some time to explore a few of the numerous side road, many of which just dead end or are closed by a gate at the boundary of the Golden Trout Wilderness area.
I was early enough to even enjoy some of the flowers:
Definitely worth a second visit and I will most likely bring a group up here sometime.
Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1
