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
