Kennedy Meadows Sherman Peak 9913' Elevation
October 8, 2004
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Photo Gallery from Kennedy Meadows trip
Video clip 01 Kennedy Meadows trip 10-08-04
Video clip 02 Kennedy Meadows trip 10-08-04
We left from Morgan Hill at about 4:30 pm and decided to take 198 across to I-5 since the normal route Highway 152 East is normally real slow on a Friday afternoon. Matt met up with us as we made or way South and East. We made go time but it was a 300 mile drive. We pulled in Ridgecrest about 1115 pm and everyone was already there. George, Eric, his buddy Kevin, Rob then Matt and Shayna and I stumble in real tired. Our last attendee Kevin, Stangman, arrive the next morning. We all had a early breakfast and we stocked up on groceries and headed out by 8:15 am Saturday 10-8-04. Geroge gave us the pre trail prep talk and we proceeded to go the wrong way on a few occasion but we found what we were looking for in the end.
We made it up to the Black rock ranger station at about 930 or so, checked in and found out no camp fires in the area we were heading to camp, Monanche Meadows. So we headed out that way anyway to check it out and decide from there what we would do. It was a great drive then the pavement ended.
We got off FSR#21S36 when hit a 4wd road heading for Bull Meadows and on into Monache Meadow and Mtn. We all pile out and start the release, the tire air down process. We had only been out a few minutes before we started to feel light headed and gasp for air. We were at about 7500 feet or more at this point. Matt walked up to me and said "boy do I feel light headed, Weee!" I agreed as I gasped for air just to agree. We stumbled around and got all tires air'd down and our heads to!
We proceeded up the 4wd road til we came to Monanche Meadows. It was about 9400 feet in elevation and you could hear the wind roar through all the trees. Sounded like a jet engine as it would accelerate for take of, it was very cool to sit there and have lunch and not even feel the breeze. We finished lunch here and decided to start to head towards Sherman Pass rd to find Sherman peak. We stayed aired down as we headed back out the way we came in past the ranger station and back down FSR#22S05 .
We got on to FSR#22S41 and this is where we became confused. The trails were not marked well and we ended up driving the trails to get a overview of the area so we could come back out the morning and find it better. So we headed in to find a Fire safe camp ground. We went to FSR#22S19 and found a sweet camp area and OK for camp fires. We got camp set up and dinner done just as it got dark.
We got up for Breakfast and had a really good meal. We Packed everything up and headed out. We realized that the day before we had not taken the trail al the way out so we got on FSR#33E48 and took a few new diversionary roads til we finally hit Sherman peak. This is where we hit some good terrain to get into 4 lo. Eric was up front and was goning to try what we thought was a bypass but it was pretty tough as well so either way up it was gonna be rocky. Nothing to serious but enough to scrap up some paint if you hit one wrong.
We made our way to the top of Sherman peak and hit the peak altitude of 9913 Feet. The air was so crisp and clear. The sky was a sweet blue color. The clouds seemed to be within reach. We stepped out on the the rocks and were able to see so far all the way around. The time on my GPS is off by an hour and it was actually 1200 when we hit the peak. Knowing we all had long drives home we could only stay a good 30 minutes be for headed back down the hill using a sweet little 4wd short cut and we were back at FSR#22S05 in about 25 minutes. We drove up to the next flat trail to air up and head out. We managed to get on our way by 1:30 pm.
Is was back down to Matt, Shayna and I as we headed out and it is real easy to not know which way to head even with a GPS in your hand. I did not prepare very well at all for this one to get us out but we did head down the right road and through the Sequioa's. It was a real nice drive all the way around.
You can get around most of the trails with no problems. 4wd is only needed if you head down trials marked jeep and or difficult. Everybody made it through the rough spots fine. Some minor fender flare damage and rock grind.
Photo Gallery from Kennedy Meadows trip
Video clip 01 Kennedy Meadows trip 10-08-04
Video clip 02 Kennedy Meadows trip 10-08-04