Kennedy Mdws CG to Walker Pass to Lake Isabella

Chico Flats on the N.F. of the Kern River, CA - Most Recent Post

    After leaving Kennedy Meadows Campground on the South Fork of the Kern River I stopped at a country or general store where 5 or 6 people were talking. During a break in the conversation I asked, "Does anyone know if Sherman Pass is open yet?"

    [Laughter!!] And when one of the group added, "It ain't even close yet," there was more laughter. As various locals described their problems I eased out the front door and headed back out to US395 via Nine Mile Canyon Road. Incidentally, the photo above was taken just as I drove south from Kennedy Mdws CG but before I reached the store.

    A look down Nine Mile Canyon Road to the the northern fringes of the Mojave Desert.

 

 

 

 

 

    As I got further down the road Joshua trees began to appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    A look up SR178 toward Walker Pass, elevation 5250'.

 

 

 

 

    A view south from the top of Walker Pass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Plaques at the top of Walker Pass. [Click 1 or 2 time to zoom in.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Looking north across SR178 toward the snow-capped peaks of the higher Sierra Nevada mountains.

 

 

 

 

    Somewhere above Onyx looking generally east.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    So-called "South Lake" arm of Lake Isabella.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    The northern end of the dam across the Kern River, which forms Lake Isabella.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    A first look up the lake, which is on the order of San Luis Reservoir near Pacheco Pass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    As you can see, if your boat capsizes and you have a long swim to reach a shore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    The French Canyon Flotilla. Since a strong wind (perhaps 25-30mph) began rocking my camper overnight, I wasn't surprised when I drove back to Lake Isabella to use McDonald's WiFi that there were no boats on the water.
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Links

• Wikipedia article on Walker Pass
• Wikipedia article on Lake Isabella
• History of the Kern River Valley

Su 3 Apr Actual Route: Chico Flats - Kernville - L Isabella - Wofford Hts - Linn's Valley - Porterville

M 4 Apr Actual Route: Porterville - Springville- Pierpont Springs - McD's - Lake Success Corps of Engineers RV CG

T 5 Apr Actual Route: Lake Success - Porterville - Lindsay - Exeter - Visalia

W 6 Apr Actual Route: Visalia

Th 7 Apr Route: Visalia Ford - Shopping - Horse Crk CG on Lake Kaweah