I was wondering if anyone has ridden the kennedy meadows trails on an atv. I rode up there on a bike several years ago, but don't remember if most of the trails can accomodate atvs. Seems like there was a lot of single track.

I have also heard atvs are restricted to two jeep trails only.

If anyone has info on this I would appreciate it!

 

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoi...sv/cm/cm_ohv_map.html


We go to Kennedy for the scenery and camping, not the riding! If you are going to Kennedy thinking you are going to ride around like you would at Ocotillo Wells or some place like that, you would be making a big mistake.

The best quad trail is Monashee. It isn't technical (fine for kid/beginners), but the scenery is great. We camp in the "fire safe" areas at the head of the road (primitive camping), so we don't have to trailer our quads to the roadhead from the campgrounds...which is a pain in any case and ridiculous if you have a toy hauler.

The best are the river campsites (just off the north end of the map). We sometimes leave the vehicles at the fire safe area, and load the utilities with our camping (light backpacking) gear, and camp down at the river campsites. Great stuff!!!

 

I've been up there many times camping & hunting, and like I said, riding once, but not on an atv.

So are atvs allowed on any trail they can fit on, are they restricted to just the monache trail & jeep trails, or is there an atv specific trail system?

 

You will have to blow each section of the map up (just click on it) and look at them in detail. The legend will show you what is ATV legal. You will find that the only places where you can ride a quad are Monashee Road and some roads around Sherman Peak....that's all there is, there isn't anything else...got that!

Last time I rode Sherman (before the fire), it was fairly technical in spots, mostly suitable for a utility 4X4. Plus, you will have to trailer your quads over to the trailhead...really not worth it unless you are really into technical trails.

Like I said already, it isn't a place you go for the riding....not without a dirt bike!

Sequoia NF just doesn't like quads....in fact most of Monashee is actually in Inyo NF!

 

The previous map was just a topo & didn't show anything. I don't know if you changed it, or it just didn't load right. That is why I thought you didn't answer my question the first time. Anyways, thanks for the info!

 

Map is working just fine for me, but if one doesn't know that clicking on the individual maps will blow them up, it can be impossible to read.

I know lots of rides in the Bishop/Mammoth area, if you want some directions? Kennedy seems like a shorter drive, but then you have to do that long haul up 9 Mile Canyon, then it's still a ways to the store, and even further past the store...might just as well have spent the extra time driving further north to some place that has way way more riding opportunities!

And, seeing you have a 4X4, there is a great ride in the Inyo Mtns. out of Lone Pine.

 

That is true that we might as well drive to bishop. I'm looking for someplace to ride at higher elevations to stay out of the heat during summer, so the bishop/mammoth area sounds good. I'll find a map of the area online & report back if I can't find what I need.

Out of 10 of us, there are only 4 with 4wd, so lone pine might have to be a different trip, but that sounds like my cup of tea. Thanks again!

 

Bishop Area: http://www.ripleysghosttowns.com/coyote.html


http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/wheeler.html


http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/whites.html


Mammoth Area: http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/laurel.htm (May still have to much snow at the top???)

http://www.mammothcityconcierg...tivities/off-road.asp


Lone Pine Area: http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/swansea.html (Best done in spring or fall.)

 

We have done all these rides with 2wd sport quads, kids included!

I highly recommend Coyote, Wheeler, and Laurel Lakes! All these are spectacular high altitude rides! (Ride now while you can! There is a bill in congress to turn all these into wilderness areas!)

The "Reconnoitering" site use to have directions to Coyote. I will see if I can find some for you. I rate it as the best of all the rides!

Wheeler has a long sand canyon that you have to climb. No big deal, you just have to keep up your momentum. The road up to Wheeler Ridge is fairly technical (medium size rocks) in some places. 4wd is nice to have here.

The problem with the Bishop area is that the valley will be very hot this time of year. We camp at Brown's Town (which has lots of shade), and head out on the rides before it gets really hot. Take a lunch and spend the day at high altitude where it is cool, then don't return to the valley until evening when it is cooling off.

In Mammoth, we camp at Sherwin Creek, and you can ride to Laurel Lakes right from the campground. There are hundreds of miles of fire roads to ride in the Mammoth area.

There are four guide books you need to get, and all the rides are in there...and lots more. I think you could find them on line somewhere:

California Desert Byways, by Tony Huegel

Sierra Nevada Byways, by Tony Hugel

High Sierra SUV Trails, by Roger MItchell

Inyo-Mono SUV Trails, by Roger Mitchell

Also get a national forest map, and maybe a set of BLM maps.

Golden State Cycle in Bishop, is also a good resource for ride info!

 

You are awesome. Thank you!

We will definitely be going up that way this summer.