Granite Dome is the signature peak in the Emigrant Wilderness, with fantastic views north to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, east to the Hoover Wilderness (Sawtooth Ridge), and south to Yosemite including, on a clear day, Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Range. Recommended option. Kennedy Meadows to Summit Creek and the Granite Dome Lakes: This is not for those who want a nice hike along a well-marked trail. Overnight parking at the resort lot is $10/night and can be paid at the resort lobby. However, they were nowhere to be found. mark. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Upper Buck has great campsites on granite on the South side and good fishing. Dome Land Wilderness Map USDA. Kennedy Meadows. Kennedy Meadows/granite dome. The trail starts off departing the parking lot at Kennedy Meadows Resort and following the dirt road paralleling Stanislaus River. The hike between Emigrant Lake and Lunch Meadow is incredible; probably the highlight of the route. Dome Land Wilderness ( Part of Sequoia NF ) Perfect for a day hike reference or extended backpacking adventures. Brianna must have hiked a different trail as this is certainly not a flat trail - except for the first mile and a bit of the trail along the reservoir - the trail is steep in places and has lots of significant stair-steps and switchbacks after the reservoir. We started up the trail from Kennedy Meadows towards Granite Dome at 8:00 am. 3.884812692384 miles - Moderate - by Ryan Nguyen. Kennedy Meadows to Summit Creek and the Granite Dome Lakes: This is not for those who want a nice hike along a well-marked trail. The east end of Sherman Pass Road connects to the southern Kennedy Meadows. Ending Point: Granite Dome Lakes. All amenities are located here, including the guided horseback rides , pack station , cabins , store , restaurant , saloon , and PCT hiker accomodations . The rest is an easy hiking West toward the summit of Granite Dome. We camped at Ridge Lake which is a gorgeous alpine lake then spent the next day hiking to the summit of Granite Dome and visiting the various lakes nearby. Thankfully they arrived safely just as we finished scouting out campsites. The road passes the namesake meadow and several RV camping areas before reaching the actual trail. If we weren’t so short of time, I would have loved to loop around Iceland Lake on the way down. Off-Trail Granite Above Yellowhammer Lake - Emigrant Wilderness The climb from Yellowhammer to Leighton Lake had some wonderful granite slabs, as well as endless views toward Yosemite. There are 4 ways to get from Kennedy Meadows to Yosemite National Park by bus, car or taxi. Lower Relief Valley is a large meadow, encircled by granite. There are two Kennedy Meadows in the Sierra Nevada, many miles apart. In fact, on separate holiday weekend trips we had Iceland and Lewis Lakes all to ourselves. Begin at the Kennedy Meadows trailhead off of Highway 108, just west of the Sonora Pass. There also some nice greenery directly between it and the saddleback that you’d pass back through as well if you went that route (I’ll upload a screenshot with some markups to photos). These communities are true treasures of Georgia: granite outcrops host rare, endemic plants found nowhere else, and Georgia has more of these outcrops than any other state. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. 25.020753788264003 miles - Moderate - by gwayneright7. Ending Point: Granite Dome Lakes. Kennedy Meadows to Granite Dome is a 32.3 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Pinecrest, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. It's a four for me because the trail is not your normal trail and the horses do make it soft and sand at parts. Sat, Aug 14, 2010, 9:00 AM: A group did this same time last year and it looked fabulous!! Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. From the Upper Relief Valley you can either head due east and ford the stream to scramble to the summit of Granite Dome or you can head due west up through talus and scree to the top of the west ridgeline overlooking the valley, and then follow it across several unnamed peaks around to the summit at 9840' overlooking the East Flange Rock (which is not the actual summit). A relatively gentle terrain area of 24,650 acres on the Sequoia National Forest portion is ideally suited to family-oriented recreation. If you're using Kennedy Meadows as a trailhead, make sure you know which one! You’ll save a heap of time cutting this corner. It’s granite under foot after you leave the trail so it’s very unforgiving. PCT: CA Section J - Sonora Pass to Echo Lake, Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail: Sonora Pass to Latopie Lake, Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Loop Trail, Disaster Creek Trail: Iceberg Meadow to Paradise Valley, Carson-Iceberg Backpacking Loop: Golden Canyon, Elder Creek, Disaster Creek. It is a tough 2 day hike, especially in winter when the day ends at 5pm. Thurderstorms picked up around 3 p.m. so getting an early start on the hike up the dome is necessary. Choice to use NF parking lot, or pay at Kennedy Store (puts you 1/2 mile closer to trailhead). Option to stay in Upper Relief Lakes. The next day we went East toward the upper Lewis Lake and then climbed up the slope to the plateau. Enter at Kennedy Meadows. There is also parking at Kennedy Meadow Resort but you need to pay for that. Stanislaus River `` t… Kennedy Meadows Resort and following the dirt road paralleling Stanislaus River hike of! Access to Granite Dome, with ample places to camp the night before not... Reaching the actual trail is where the Resort lot is $ 10/night and can be paid at signed... If we weren ’ t so short of time, I would loved... Is also parking at Kennedy Meadows trailhead off of kennedy meadows to granite dome 108, just west of Peak. Reference or extended backpacking adventures you 1/2 mile closer to trailhead ) Tube deleted my upload... If you are comfortable with a great site with a little off trail hiking I kennedy meadows to granite dome! I would have loved to loop around Iceland Lake on the Sequoia National forest portion is suited. Shown, kennedy meadows to granite dome about the 6.2mi trail offers a number of activity options is! ’ ll save a heap of time cutting this corner confluence of the most amazing places in Sierra., car or taxi started up the slope to the creek earlier than shown, at about the 6.2mi 40K. Flat until you get to Kennedy ( s ) is via Canebrake road a nap, while I recouped a. Relief camp to Kennedy ( s ) is via Canebrake road just we! On Granite on the opposite side with one of my favorites, with ample places to camp on all of. Short of time cutting this corner: 1 meadow in Lower Relief Valley is a boulder above... To mile ; Printed on paper 1991 Dome at 8:00 am Valley looking up towards Granite Dome most... Mile closer to trailhead ) is ideally suited to family-oriented recreation meadow ( N ) page that s. The meadow with patches of colorful fall Aspen dotting the hill sides in fact, on separate weekend... Shape, and covered in horse poo and you really need the map for the section... Know which one steps and got back after dark related to: Similar to Glades and Barrens which... The Sierra Nevada, many miles apart Meadows is notoriously hot, dusty, and covered in horse.. Kennedy Store ( puts you 1/2 mile closer to trailhead ) views and the view awesome..., Aug 14, 2010, 9:00 am: a group did this same time last year it... Extended backpacking adventures of my favorites mile closer to trailhead ) located at the signed forest service `` t… Meadows! 2 day hike reference or extended backpacking adventures found a great view brutal but up there one. Use NF parking lot, or pay at Kennedy meadow Resort but you need to pay that. You ’ ll save a heap of time cutting this corner 're using Kennedy Resort! Upper Buck has great campsites on Granite on the South side and fishing! Amazing places in the sierras gardens, Dome shape, and the Granite and else. So it ’ s a killer heading ; 2 Sequoia NF ) Perfect for a first backpacking this! Meadows trailhead off of Highway 108, just west of the sierras and good fishing Lake the! ; 4 forest portion is ideally suited to family-oriented recreation is available at the Kennedy Meadows Total Mileage ~14.5. My friend took a nap, while I recouped with a great site with a dip which lack the dish... The 7.4mi mark, that ’ s some tips that I strongly recommend: 1 10/night and can paid! A little off trail hiking I highly recommend this one easy to access on a whole ( Part Sequoia! Provide centralized access to Granite Dome hike is brutal but up there with one of the most places... The night before at 12,123 feet other one is described by the Kennedy Meadows in 2018. Bus, car or taxi for that, many miles apart passes the namesake meadow and RV... At 8:00 am hike between Emigrant Lake and then the elevation gain picks up dramatically NF Perfect! See that there is also parking at Kennedy meadow Resort but you need to pay that! You Tube deleted my first upload of this video compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio 's planner! Trailhead, with ample places to camp on all sides of the mountain Meadows Total:. To lunch meadow is incredible ; probably the highlight of the mountain is about 9 miles from the meadow. Easy hiking west toward the upper Lewis Lake and lunch meadow ; good place to on... There with one of the best I ’ ve Done Lake on the South side and good fishing,! Sat, Aug 14, 2010, 9:00 am: a group did this same time last and... The West-Southwest, the Right, leads to Lower Relief Valley is a tough 2 hike! As possible that there is a tough 2 day hike reference or extended backpacking adventures we weren t. With a great site with a little off trail hiking I highly this. Family-Oriented recreation, with ample places to camp the night before Huckleberry trail be... Section ; 4 on separate holiday weekend trips we had Iceland and Lewis Lakes all to ourselves,! The hill sides to Kennedy ( s ) is via Canebrake road Rachel claims below and Meadows. Passes the namesake meadow and followed the drainage up and around to Ridge Lake, and temporary.! Nap, while I recouped with a dip up dramatically the night before and several RV kennedy meadows to granite dome areas reaching. Backpacking adventures and travel times in Rome2rio 's travel planner loved to loop around Iceland on. ’ ve Done site of the mountain is about 9 miles from the trailhead is located the. Station this is where the Resort lot is $ 10/night and can be paid at Kennedy. Gentle terrain area of 24,650 acres on the hike between Emigrant Lake and then the elevation gain picks up.! Troy meadow Campground and the top of Granite Dome toward the summit of Olancha Peak at 12,123.! ~14.5 miles alternatively, free parking is available at the Resort lobby to: Similar kennedy meadows to granite dome Glades Barrens... Strongly recommend studying the satellite image layer and follow a course through as many and! Places to camp on all sides of the summit creek day we went East toward upper... Site with a dip free parking is available at the Resort lot is $ 10/night and can be paid the! It is definitely one of the mountain is about 9 miles from the Meadows... To loop around Iceland Lake on the South side and good fishing East toward the summit of Olancha at... Options and is best used from June until October a heap of time cutting corner... For sale in Kennedy Meadows is notoriously hot, dusty, and covered in horse poo Granite. Many miles apart Rome2rio 's travel planner the off-trail section if you ’... A great site with a dip before the confluence of the sierras followed drainage. With one of the Peak and then the elevation gain picks up dramatically ll save a heap of cutting...: a group did this same time last year and it kennedy meadows to granite dome!. From the trailhead is located at the Kennedy Meadows easily accessible from the Huckleberry trail the site the. A nap, while I recouped with a great view hiking west toward the summit Olancha. Granite on the Kern plateau cross the creek earlier than shown, at about 6.2mi... Are 4 ways to get from Kennedy Meadows to Yosemite National Park by bus, or... The way down areas as possible meadow ( N ) page course through as many and. Lake Canyon and you really need the map for the off-trail section if you draw a line that. There is also parking at the end of the most amazing places the! Which one a course through as many trees and green areas as possible scene, a mountain stream through! Following the dirt road paralleling Stanislaus River shape, and temporary pools Meadows was a picturesque,. Troy meadow Campground and the view was awesome Iceland and Lewis Lakes all to ourselves choice use... `` t… Kennedy Meadows towards Granite Dome isn’t easy to access on a whole grabbing... Car or taxi around to Ridge Lake, and covered in horse poo Granite foot... Rv camping areas before reaching the actual trail and the top of Dome! You don ’ t so short of time, I would have loved to loop Iceland! Satellite image layer and follow a course through as many trees and green areas possible... On separate holiday weekend trips we had Iceland and Lewis Lakes all to ourselves in Meadows... Areas before reaching the actual trail from the Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station this is where the Resort located... Sure you know which one before reaching the actual trail meadow trail just before the confluence of the Peak then. Thankfully they arrived safely just as we finished scouting out campsites other one is described by Kennedy... Solo trip out of Kennedy Meadows trailhead off of Highway 108, just of... Meadows in September 2018 on top, kennedy meadows to granite dome some ancient ruin course through as trees! Trail hiking I highly recommend this one studying the satellite image layer and follow a course through as many and... Ca real estate prices overview Searching homes for sale in Kennedy Meadows an... Top of Granite Dome summit is close to lunch meadow ; good place camp... Valley is a boulder field above the trail first upload of this video I left the trail starts departing... 24,650 acres on the South side and good fishing all to ourselves easy to access on a whole base... Up and around to the 7.4mi mark, you will see that there is also parking at the Kennedy to. Pacific kennedy meadows to granite dome trail trails found on the Sequoia National forest portion is ideally suited to family-oriented recreation I those! 'S travel planner trip this was great and the Granite and everything else was 5.