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Monache Meadow Trail

7/14/2014

14 Comments

 
Arriving in the vast expanses of Monache Meadow at 8,000 feet elevation instills a humbling feeling that exemplifies our reason for escaping the confines of daily life.
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Day two of camping in the Inyo National Forest
-Monache Trail detail

Day two of camping in the Inyo National Forest took us on the Monache Trail adventure.  We expanded this days trail run by driving Jackass Meadow trail up to the Monache trail head.

Here is the Jackass Meadow trailhead off of Kennedy Meadows Road.
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Taking the correct fork on Jackass Meadow trail leads up to Blackrock Road near Powell Meadow.  Make sure you travel with a map and GPS to maintain your course and not get lost.

Do you know the correct fork to take here?  Right? Left?
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After exiting Jackass Trail and driving along Blackrock Road, there is a stunning view of Powell Meadow...just a teaser before making it to Monache.
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Entering Monache trail on the primary dirt road.  The trail is approximately seven miles to Monache Meadow, plus another two miles to arrive at the primitive campsites.

Overall, the trail is easy and fun to drive.  There is a moderate technical rock section at approximately 1.7 miles that requires four wheel drive and high clearance.  Adding the additional two miles to arrive at the primitive campsites definitely requires four wheel drive (four low and a rear locker makes it easy) and high clearance is a necessity.
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Here is El Chupacabra weaving between the trees and making easy work of Monache trail.  I think El Chupo was inspired by our Johnny Cash music, which made this section seem extra fun.
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Taking a break along the trail to capture our rigs with Olancha peak in the background.
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Crossing Snake Creek bridge at approximately 2.3 miles, prior to getting our first look at Monache Meadow.
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At about 2.5 miles we were greeted by the vastness of Monache Meadow.  From this point, the trail continues through the meadow and includes a few whoop-di-doos.

At about five miles, there is a fork in the trail.  The dead end trail meanders down toward the Kern River.  Because we were planning to meet our motorcycling friends, we decided to stay left and continue on to the first crossing of the Kern River.
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At approximately six miles is the first river crossing that leads to the other side of Monache Meadow, closer to Olivia's old ranch and a water spring.

Be sure to mind the boundaries and do not cross over any imaginary lines that are determined by marker posts.  Doing so can get you a violation from the ranger or at a minimum a stern warning.  Fortunately for us, we maintained on the trails at all times.  Tread Lightly, remember?

Does this not look like a swamp monster coming up from the bottom of a lagoon full of cow pee?
OK, it's just El Chupo exiting the first crossing of the Kern River...
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After forging the first water crossing, we stopped to take in a closer view of Olancha Peak.

Continuing on from this point, it is worth crossing the meadow and driving up to the abandoned structures of Olivia's, just make sure to look with your eyes and to not disturb the things that exist there today.  The trail up to Olivia's is approximately one mile and ends in a turn-around to exit the way you entered.
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The real cowboys were supposed to be "driving cattle" this weekend.  We were hoping our timing was right so the kids could take in the sights of cowboys in action, but this day we were not so lucky.

Though we did get to see lots of cows roaming the open fields.
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Forging the Kern River a second time before taking a mid-day break for lunch and waiting around for our motorcycle friends to arrive.
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The kids had a lot of fun exploring the Kern River and searching out fish in the deeper sections.  Fortunately no kids fell in the water this day.  Just be careful to not step in a fresh cow pie...

Our family photo in Monache Meadow with Olancha Peak in the background.  
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We brought our Big Agnes shade to provide some protection from the sun and wind while we enjoyed lunch and continued our wait for our motorcycling friends to arrive.  Aren't motorcycles supposed to be faster on the trail than Jeeps?  We waited and waited...
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Just as we were getting ready to eat everyone's lunch, the group arrived.

Here I am jumping in with many long-time moto friends for a group photo.  Next year I too may be doing this run on a motorcycle.  No, seriously.
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After our late afternoon lunch and visiting with friends, we explored out to the edge of Inyo National Forest to reach the South Sierra Wilderness.  Travel into the South Sierra Wilderness is restricted, so we stopped at the gate and turned around.
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From Monache Meadow, we explored Bake Oven and the Monache Meadows "sand dune".  Our final destination was the end of the trail and primitive camping sites where we had originally planned to camp, except for the restrictions on campfires during this dry summer, which had changed our ultimate choice of a camping location.

The final section of trail, which is completely optional, is moderate and requires four wheel drive and high clearance.  The Kern River crossing is deeper and longer in this section, but not a problem for the Jeeps.
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We exited Monache trail using the same route that we entered.

Because dinner time was approaching and the kids had fallen asleep in the back seat (they slept even while we were wheeling on Monache trail), we decided to drive Blackrock Road down to Sherman Pass and back to camp.

Passing by Smith Meadow, it was impossible to not to stop and photograph this lush landscape.
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Have you ever run Monache Trail?  If not, we hope you enjoyed reading about our adventure.  Maybe you will join us next time!

Thanks again to Robin Reid for editing our pictures.
14 Comments
Charles "Dad" Weil
7/15/2014 03:26:47 am

Great pictures, sounds like fun but don't think i could get your mom to do this.

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"W" aka Mom/Gramma
7/18/2014 09:16:23 am

What fun! Would love to join you IF I can sleep in the motor home!!
Tried a tent one time for all of 2 nites. Oh my.

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HikingMike link
1/10/2017 01:32:44 pm

Wow this area looks beautiful! Great photos. I have been learning a little about the South Sierra Wilderness trying to scout out a backpacking trip route, and came across your site. You have some great adventures it looks like and I'll have to check out more. I see you also went around the San Juans in Colorado which is a favorite area of mine too.

I definitely appreciate that you were mindful not to cross into the Wilderness Areas based on the signs! I was trying to figure out where the Wilderness and foot trails were compared to some neat satellite views I saw on Google Maps. I found that Monache Meadows is sort of partly in Wilderness Area and partly not, which I imagine is a little odd for managing both, and for visitors.

I see some double tracks on the satellite view that cross into the Wilderness side. The South Sierra Wilderness has only existed since 1984, but I imagine those tracks are traveled by 4WD or motorcycle enthusiasts recently since they are clear in recent imagery.

The possibility of 4WD campers and fenced cow pastures (looks like in your photos..?) might dissuade me from choosing this spot for a backpacking destination. I like remote places, and this is indeed pretty remote, but I'd prefer not to see people drive up after I've been hiking a day or two away from the trailhead :) Maybe going early in the season would negate that though. I appreciate the need for recreational 4WD trails in some of our cool places. And having this place basically surrounded by protected Wilderness is what makes it such a fantastic destination. But of course I love my foot travel in the wilderness.

In any case, what a great place this is and I hope to visit it sometime. Thanks for your post on your adventure there!

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Chris
6/19/2018 01:52:06 pm

Hello, can a Subaru Crosstrek do this trail? Been wanting to do some dispersed camping in a secluded area.

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Mike
6/22/2018 09:45:19 pm

Hi Chris, yes, your Subaru should make it. At the time, there was one moderate section, but with 4WD you’ll be fine. Just use common sense.

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G Taylor
3/12/2019 04:51:00 pm

I use to go there 40 years ago before it was discovered on motorcycles to camp and fish. I recently went back with my 4x4 and I personally think if you brought a Subaru back there you would bottom out and have serious issues. I also own a Subaru Forester and would never consider taking it back there. Not enough clearance and not designed for serious off roading.

G Taylor
3/12/2019 04:46:18 pm

No

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Jessica
6/21/2018 09:30:50 am

Hi there! I'm a random dirt biker who is heading to Troy Meadows this weekend for the first time. One of the days we are going to trailer the bikes over to the Monache Meadows Jeep Trail. How much riding can we do back there? In reading your post here it sure seems like a lot more than I originally thought, which was the 2.5 miles of "actual" trail. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

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Mike
6/22/2018 09:49:47 pm

Hi Jessica, if your bikes are not street legal, you will need to trailer them to the trail head for the ride to Monache. Will be an easy ride on motorcycles.
Once at Monache, it is a wide open meadow and some two-track roads that go around the meadow. That is sort of the extent of riding at and around the meadow. If you’re more adventurous, there is another single track trail you can take to Monache that will be more moderate for moto skill levels.
Have fun!

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Mooky link
10/2/2018 07:22:05 pm

This was a great trip. A little scary with the switchbacks at the front but well worth it. I have some videos posted here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/mookydesai/videos

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David
11/15/2018 04:36:05 pm

have been to monache several times, the last one three or four years ago. i would have liked to explore farther up the trail from the northwest end of the meadow but it was pretty remote and we were a solo vehicle. be warned: we were there in june and it was one of the coldest tent camps ever right by the gate to the south sierra wilderness - frost inside the tent when we woke up.

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Ray Ray
7/22/2019 11:56:36 pm

I know the short wheelbased 4x4s can make it. Would a Suburban or full size crew cab (4 door) truck with a 8 foot bed make it?

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Scotland Brunette link
3/9/2021 04:22:45 pm

Hello matee nice blog

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DanaMite link
6/16/2021 11:39:27 pm

We did this route and camped way back here in 2001 with a couple of 2WD SUVs (high clearance) and had no trouble navigating the terrain. Excellent primitive camping spots and seclusion. Olancha Peak trailhead, South fork of Kern River, excellent night sky. Would not advise a Subaru do this, due to lack of clearance.

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