Project-JK Monache Meadows Labor Day Camping Trip
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Former Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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Project-JK Monache Meadows Labor Day Camping Trip
Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you all know that we will be doing our annual run up to Monache Meadows this coming Labor Day weekend.
For those of you who have never been up to Monache Meadows before, all I can say is that it is one of our favorite places to go. The scenery is to die for, it's extremely remote, you get to camp right next to the South Fork Kern River and if you're into fishing, the waters are abundant with German Brown and Golden/Rainbow Trout. The trail up to Monache Meadows is super easy and I doubt that you will have to engage 4WD even once. Needless to say, if you are looking to do some rock crawling, this is NOT the trip for you. So that it's clear, this will be a two night R&R camping trip and if you think you might want to join us or if you have any questions, please let us know by posting on this thread.
THE PLAN:
On Friday morning, we will be meeting up with everyone at the Pearsonville Shell Gas Station at 10:00 AM. From there, we will be heading up to the Blackrock Ranger Station and will expect to be there at 11:30 AM. If you plan on coming up on Friday, I would recommend that you meet up with us at either of these locations. If you are coming up later in the day, please let me know and I will give you instructions on how to get to camp. If you are coming up on Saturday morning, please let us know and we will come out to meet up with you at the Blackrock Ranger Station at 11:00 AM.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The last chance for you to get gas is at the Shell Station right off the 395 in the town of Pearsonville. Be sure to top off your gas tank here as Monache Meadows is a long way up and you'll want every last drop you can get. Also, you can get a few last minute provisions here if needed. The closest real town is Ridgecrest if you need anything significant. Please be advised that this is all BACK COUNTRY DRY CAMPING. In other words, there are NO toilets and NO running water. Everything you pack in MUST be packed out by you.
THINGS TO BRING:
According to NOAA which is normally very accurate, we should be looking at clear skies and temps in the high 80's by day but, lows in the upper 30's to low 40's by night. That's a huge swing in temps and of course, being that we'll be up in the Sierra's, there is always a chance of thunderstorms so please dress/pack accordingly. Regarding food & water, please pack your own and enough for you and your passengers for the duration of the trip.
THERE ARE NO FIRE RESTRICTIONS so please bring firewood as the nights will be cold.
WHO'S GOING LIST:
1. Full-Traction Suspension, TJen97
2. Brainchild/Diane
MAYBE LIST:
1.
2.
4.
HOW TO GET TO BLACKROCK RANGER STATION
From Pearsonville - Make sure to top off your tank here and then take 395 North for 2.4 and then turn LEFT onto Ninemile Canyon Rd.
• Ninemile Canyon Rd will become Kennedy Meadows Rd - Take this to Kennedy Meadows which is about 24 miles west
• Make a LEFT turn onto 22S05/Sherman Pass Rd and Drive 12.7 miles to Fish Creek Rd.
• Just after making your LEFT turn, you should see the Blackrock Ranger Station on the right.
From Lake Isabella - From the 178, take the 155 North to Kernville which is about 11.7 miles away.
• Top off your tank at Kernville and then continue to 22S05/Sherman Pass Rd. which is 19.2 miles to the north.
• Turn RIGHT onto 22S05/Sherman Pass Rd. and head East 28.5 miles until you reach a T in the road.
• Turn LEFT and head North 2.5 miles to Fish Creek Rd.
• Just after making your LEFT turn, you should see the Blackrock Ranger Station on the right.
MONACHE MEADOWS CAMP
• From Blackrock Ranger Station (N36 05 40.7 W118 15 52.4) - drive 2.1 miles north and then make a RIGHT turn onto 21S03 (N36 07 20.5 W118 15 46.7)
• Drive 6 miles north and you should arive at a staging area and campground (N36 09 44.4 W118 13 54.3). There is a sign here that indicates the Monache Trail.
• Follow the main trail as it meanders through the forest and when you get to the access gate, open it, drive through it and then be sure to close it behind you.
• Keep following this long trail until you reach the South Fork Kern River (N36 12 27.8 W118 10 32.1)
• At the river, make a LEFT (DO NOT cross the river) and follow along side it for about 1 mile.
• At the intersection (N36 13 16.5 W118 10 38.1), stay to the LEFT and drive about .75 miles
• At the intersection (N36 13 22.3 W118 11 19.0), make a RIGHT and follow the signs indicating campgrounds ahead. If you find yourself on top of the Bake Oven dune, you've gone the wrong way.
• Drive about 2 miles into the forest and you will end up at camp (N36 14 18.8 W118 11 09.6)
36.242067,-118.190684
For those of you who have never been up to Monache Meadows before, all I can say is that it is one of our favorite places to go. The scenery is to die for, it's extremely remote, you get to camp right next to the South Fork Kern River and if you're into fishing, the waters are abundant with German Brown and Golden/Rainbow Trout. The trail up to Monache Meadows is super easy and I doubt that you will have to engage 4WD even once. Needless to say, if you are looking to do some rock crawling, this is NOT the trip for you. So that it's clear, this will be a two night R&R camping trip and if you think you might want to join us or if you have any questions, please let us know by posting on this thread.
THE PLAN:
On Friday morning, we will be meeting up with everyone at the Pearsonville Shell Gas Station at 10:00 AM. From there, we will be heading up to the Blackrock Ranger Station and will expect to be there at 11:30 AM. If you plan on coming up on Friday, I would recommend that you meet up with us at either of these locations. If you are coming up later in the day, please let me know and I will give you instructions on how to get to camp. If you are coming up on Saturday morning, please let us know and we will come out to meet up with you at the Blackrock Ranger Station at 11:00 AM.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The last chance for you to get gas is at the Shell Station right off the 395 in the town of Pearsonville. Be sure to top off your gas tank here as Monache Meadows is a long way up and you'll want every last drop you can get. Also, you can get a few last minute provisions here if needed. The closest real town is Ridgecrest if you need anything significant. Please be advised that this is all BACK COUNTRY DRY CAMPING. In other words, there are NO toilets and NO running water. Everything you pack in MUST be packed out by you.
THINGS TO BRING:
According to NOAA which is normally very accurate, we should be looking at clear skies and temps in the high 80's by day but, lows in the upper 30's to low 40's by night. That's a huge swing in temps and of course, being that we'll be up in the Sierra's, there is always a chance of thunderstorms so please dress/pack accordingly. Regarding food & water, please pack your own and enough for you and your passengers for the duration of the trip.
THERE ARE NO FIRE RESTRICTIONS so please bring firewood as the nights will be cold.
WHO'S GOING LIST:
1. Full-Traction Suspension, TJen97
2. Brainchild/Diane
MAYBE LIST:
1.
2.
4.
HOW TO GET TO BLACKROCK RANGER STATION
From Pearsonville - Make sure to top off your tank here and then take 395 North for 2.4 and then turn LEFT onto Ninemile Canyon Rd.
• Ninemile Canyon Rd will become Kennedy Meadows Rd - Take this to Kennedy Meadows which is about 24 miles west
• Make a LEFT turn onto 22S05/Sherman Pass Rd and Drive 12.7 miles to Fish Creek Rd.
• Just after making your LEFT turn, you should see the Blackrock Ranger Station on the right.
From Lake Isabella - From the 178, take the 155 North to Kernville which is about 11.7 miles away.
• Top off your tank at Kernville and then continue to 22S05/Sherman Pass Rd. which is 19.2 miles to the north.
• Turn RIGHT onto 22S05/Sherman Pass Rd. and head East 28.5 miles until you reach a T in the road.
• Turn LEFT and head North 2.5 miles to Fish Creek Rd.
• Just after making your LEFT turn, you should see the Blackrock Ranger Station on the right.
MONACHE MEADOWS CAMP
• From Blackrock Ranger Station (N36 05 40.7 W118 15 52.4) - drive 2.1 miles north and then make a RIGHT turn onto 21S03 (N36 07 20.5 W118 15 46.7)
• Drive 6 miles north and you should arive at a staging area and campground (N36 09 44.4 W118 13 54.3). There is a sign here that indicates the Monache Trail.
• Follow the main trail as it meanders through the forest and when you get to the access gate, open it, drive through it and then be sure to close it behind you.
• Keep following this long trail until you reach the South Fork Kern River (N36 12 27.8 W118 10 32.1)
• At the river, make a LEFT (DO NOT cross the river) and follow along side it for about 1 mile.
• At the intersection (N36 13 16.5 W118 10 38.1), stay to the LEFT and drive about .75 miles
• At the intersection (N36 13 22.3 W118 11 19.0), make a RIGHT and follow the signs indicating campgrounds ahead. If you find yourself on top of the Bake Oven dune, you've gone the wrong way.
• Drive about 2 miles into the forest and you will end up at camp (N36 14 18.8 W118 11 09.6)
36.242067,-118.190684
Last edited by Absolute; Aug 22, 2011 at 09:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Former Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 0
From: United States
