Anyone Familiar w/ Kern Plateau OHV Trails

[1FZj80]

I am going to do some camping/wheeling with one of my kids next week and was think of going to the Kearn Plateau area.

What are the campgrounds like?
What is the wheeling like?
Hiking/fishing/etc...?
Do you recommend?

If I had more time I would go further north into the Sierras, but the Kearn area looks pretty cool and is not that far of a drive. Not looking for hard-core wheeling, but rather a good camping area to spend some time with my son.

From what I have read, the elevation is high (so not to hot) and there is lots of water (lakes, rivers, etc.).

Input, suggestions... Thanks.

 

[Bluetribal]

I think Dave has a write-up on his Adventure Duo site. Not sure what month or year tho.

 

[SOCALFJ]

Kern Plateau? Like Coyote Flats? or some times referred to as Coyote Plateau... we are actually headed up there Thursday. It's a great place.. and yes we have a trip report from there..

The Adventure Duo: Coyote Flats - Eastern Sierra's

Kern area is like Monache, Kennedy Meadows that type of area.

 

[Bluetribal]

I still can't believe I grew up a little over an hour from there and have never been! Oh well one day right!

 

[1FZj80]

Going to Troy Meadow, Fish Creek or maybe Monache. There are some primative camps that look pretty nice. I understand this area is called the Kern Plateau OHV area? Trying to decide which area is best. Any recommendations.

We might also head up to Onion Valley and hike into the Sierras through Kearsarge pass.

 

[DirtyRice Joe]

I really like Monache Meadows, though the 4-wheeling is pretty mild. One possible concern is the level of the fork of the Kern River (South Fork, I believe) that cuts through the meadow. Normally, it's pretty low & slow this time of year. However, with the abundant snowfall we had this season it might be a little more challenging to ford. I'd suggest checking with the local Ranger if you chose to go there. There are some great campsites near the river, and if you fish you might even catch a Golden Trout. Have fun!

Going to Troy Meadow, Fish Creek or maybe Monache. There are some primative camps that look pretty nice. I understand this area is called the Kern Plateau OHV area? Trying to decide which area is best. Any recommendations.

We might also head up to Onion Valley and hike into the Sierras through Kearsarge pass.

 

[VCCruzr]

We might also head up to Onion Valley and hike into the Sierras through Kearsarge pass.

I just got back from a 4 day weekend backpacking trip to Onion Valley with my daughter, her first trip. We camped at Matlock Lake and had the whole valley to ourselves, probably because Matlock has been sterilized to save the native frog species. But a short hike back down to Gilbert Lake was productive for some trout, albeit a little small. I highly recommend the visit, the scenery was amazing.

 

[1FZj80]

Onion Valley has been on my to-do list for while. Glad you had a great time.

We went to the Kern Plateau and didn't have time to do anything else. This is unique area. High elevation and very remote and primitive- there is only one small store in Kennedy Meadow and a small Ranger Station in Blackrock. No other fuel or services for miles. We camped on the South Fork of the Kern in Monache and had a great time. It is about 1-hour drive on an easy 4wd trail to the north most part of this area. There is great hiking, fishing, camping and miles of OHV trails. The wheeling is easy to medium, but we did wheel to the top of Sherman Peak which is close to 10,000-ft and took the downhill to the highway which looses something like 4,000-ft in 3-miles. It was very steep, off camber and narrow with 1,000-ft drops on the side. The pucker factor was high. If another rig was coming up the trail there would be no way to pass!

Picts are from Sherman Peak and the drive down the mountain into Ridgecrest.