02/08/02:
Got the new tire, oil change and stocked up on food again. Then I drove across I-40 in California to Barstow and then picked up CA-58 to Caliente and headed north into the Sequoia National Forest towards Isabella Lake. I got to see my first rain and fog in quite sometime as I climbed up into the mountains along a steep, narrow, twisty but paved road. After months in the desert I found green stuff all around me. Real trees, grass, weeds, moss... some big time winds too.
I thought I was up around 5000-6000 feet at the summit but TopoUSA only showed about 4500 feet. The sun was out up there and down in the deep valley as I dropped sharply down to Lake Isabella and the town of Bodfish. Lake Isabella is in a deep basin surrounded mountain ridges, crests and peaks rising many, many hundreds of feet. The lake sits at about 2500 feet. Forecast is for the mid-20's tonight.
Lake Isabella is formed by damming the Kern River. The lower and upper rivers are whitewater areas with lots of free camping.
02/09/02 Hiking Cannell Trail (24 miles round trip - 9 miles to Pine Flats, 12 miles to Cannell Meadow):
Last night in the mid-20's. Frost, but not ice on the windows. Warmed up into the 50's when the sun appeared. Headed north on CA-178 and then switched over to Mountain Road 99 at the sign to Kernville. Poked into all the little side roads and recreation sites. Lots of camping areas, some developed (most closed in February) and several free spots. I won't be paddling Lake Isabella since they require a Kern County permit. A couple of wildlife viewing areas turned up a flock of ducks in some wetlands but that was it for today. Deer can probably be seen feeding at dusk and dawn.
Found the Cannell Trail a couple of miles north of Kernville. The trail description says 12 miles starting at 2800 feet and ending at 3600. That may be true but what it doesn't tell you is that it hits 4000plus a few times in between. The trail is mostly up, at least the 4-5 miles I hiked. It's about 10 miles to Pine Flats and 12 miles to Cannell Meadows. I made it to around the 4-5 mile mark. Calf muscles tightened up and felt some mild discomfort in my chest after 1.5 hours or so... so called it quits for the day. There's always tomorrow.
Continued north from Kernville along the Kern River. Not much water in the sections I saw. Lots of free and for pay camping areas. Most of the for pay ones closed. I found a nice spot 10 miles or so from Kernville and settled in for the night.
02/10/02 Hiking River Trail (10.4 miles round trip):
20's again last night. Would prefer something warmer. Headed north again to see what I would see. Passed Rincon, Packsaddle and River Trails without stopping. Started gaining elevation and snow and ice at roadside. Entered Sequoia National Monument (south). Thought I would drive through Sequoia National Park today, find a place to camp and check out Kings Canyon National Park tomorrow and then get back where its warmer.
At Johnsondale a sign said snow removal not done ahead. That's OK. If I can get through, fine, if not I'll turn back. Right around the corner another sign supported in an old snow bank across the road said road closed. I went back a few miles to a sign pointing to US-395 which is near Death Valley. That road too had a road closed sign on it.
So I went back to the bridge crossing the North Fork of the Kern River and took the River Trail. The trail follows the east side of the North Fork and is in the shade until after 11am so it was still plenty cold at 9:30am. My ears were stinging. This is a nice and easy walk above the narrow river with lots of class II rapids at this time of year. They go up to III & IV during the spring runoff.
The river runs through what is more or less a canyon. High, steep sloping ledges and boulders with lots of pines scattered about. Boots would be preferred on this trail. Lots of sharp, pointy stones sticking up and lots of rock hopping farther on. After a couple of miles the bottoms of my feet were bruised because of wearing sneakers so I turned back.