Finally!
I found some trip info about what I am proposing.....said far better than I could!......from over at TTORA. Just disregard the meeting place.....we can pick our own should we decide to do this. I'm wondering about just using Lake Isabella for a meeting place. Bringing Extra GAS looks like a good idea!
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http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13253
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showpost.php?p=131820&postcount=6
Sherman Pass Jeep Trail / Monache Meadows.
Trail officially opened July 11th!! Cutting it close!
Run date:
July 23-24th, 2005
Meeting Place and Time:
Parking lot of McDonalds in Castaic, off the 5 freeway, 9am July 23rd (Sat)
27701 WEST LAKE HUGHES RD
CASTAIC, CA 91384
Make sure you have a full tank of gas and all food/supplies before the meeting time.
Requirements:
4x4 with lift and aftermarket off-road type tires. Locker will be helpful on the steep climbs. Must lower tire pressure to around 15 PSI.
Full sized working spare tire and the tools to change it, tow points on vehicles and tow strap.
Camping gear and food for overnight camping. Trash Bags to pack everything back out.
Ability to air up tires after run (no gas stations anywhere)
Trail Info:
*note that this is not an easy day only type run due to distances involved, and involves lots of highway driving*
After meeting at 9am, it's about a 2.5 hour drive to Kernville, which will be the last stop for topping off gas tanks and any supplies. It's a small town so plan on having everything ahead of time and only topping off gas at the gas station there (I belive it's a Texaco last time I was there) This will be the last gas station until Sunday on the other side of the mountains on the 395.. The drive will be semi scenic once we enter the Kern River gorge on the way up to Lake Isabelle, about the last hour. First half will be kind of boring though, heading out towards Bakersfield.
After gas, it's about a 1 hour drive along the Kern river and half way up Sherman pass to the trail head.. here we will air down and start the real off-roading. The trail will take us the rest of the way up and over Sherman Pass climbing a ridge back. The lower part of the trail was burned in the fires a few years ago, but the upper part survived and is still thick forest. After the trail and rejoining the main road, it's about 20 miles of pavement to the next trail, Monache Jeep trail. This trail is moderately easy and will take us out the the Monache Meadows, one of the most scenic areas in the lower southern half of the Sierras. There will be 2-3 mini river crossings, rated easy. Plan is to find some campsites in the area at the end of the trail (all are first come/fist serve simi wilderness) and camp for the night, everyone will be free to explore the area and a few of the trails... I plan to go around taking lots of pictures..
Sunday after breaking camp we will head back out the trail, air up, then take the main road down through Kennedy Meadows and all the way down to Highway 395.. taking the 395 to the 14 through Mojave and back into L.A. and the 5 freeway. Those that are on the southern part of L.A. or Orange county may want to take the 395 over to the 15 freeway instead.
As you can see, this is not a local run for most, this run does involve more than normal street driving due to the distances involved (3-4 hours each day, if not more depending on where you are coming from), and both trails are medium in length.. it's more of a scenic exploring run than lots of off-roading. If anybody wishes they can make there own arrangements to stay Friday night in either KernVille or Lake Isabelle, and meet us in Kernville. If you are doing this let me know so we can arrange to meet you and exchange cell numbers, although reception is spotty up there. Once we leave Kernville there will be almost no cell reception.
If you are attending, please let me know so I can get a count, and also if you cancel afterwards please let me know.
