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Home > Trip Reports > Monache Meadows Camping
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Monache Meadows Camping
June 2002
Kennedy Meadows , CA
posted by danamite
This was a SUV trip w/ hiking, camping, & exploring; a Sierra back roads trip was in 2001 (but I couldn't choose that from the drop down list).
We started out on Canebrake Road, off Hwy 178, E of Lake Isabella. Made our way north to a small campground near Chimney Peak. Met up w/ the small group that night & planned our routes.
Tried the Lamont Pinnacles hike (but mid day was over 90 degrees) so we opted to keep driving north for higher elevations, cooler temps & flowing water. The loop we drove was south of Kennedy Meadows, just after the Domeland Wilderness fire, so we got to see a lot the destruction.
After we crossed the pavement (Sherman Pass Rd / J41) we stopped at the rangers @ Troy Meadows for some trail info. The dirt road to Monache is marked "jeep road", but none of us had Jeeps & decided to do it anyway. Low & behold one 4x4 & two 2WD vehicles made it up to the 8000' meadow. Shallow Kern River (south fork) was flowing well, fishermen, a few folks out, but no crowds to speak of.
We found the furthest corner of the forest to camp & it happened to be at the Olancha Peak trail head. A gear laden abandon SUV was parked nearby & we saw the names on the trail register, but thought nothing of it until nightfall. All their gear was inside the vehicle & we were concerned for the strangers, but were too hungry to do anything about it.
One raging camp fire & one bottle of wine later, I have my flashlight, starting up the trail yelling for any Mikes out there. My fellow campers talked me out of my night hike. Our search party was too drunk for the attempt.
At dawn 2 shivering souls wandered back down the mountain, into camp & Steve prepared them coffee in exchange for their story. They lost the trail after dark (without any gear); spent the night under a bush cuddling & cold. Less than a mile from camp. Male bonding at it's best! So, if we would have continued searching for them the night before, they may have heard us yelling for them. But at least they were alive & not injured. Just cold.
I highly suggest this place for camping away from the crowds at the Kern River. It will take some high clearance driving & a good map, but the alpine rewards are nice.
PHOTOS -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danamite/sets/72157601892766465/
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