I went here on a weekday, and when I arrived in the parking lot, I was shocked by how much was…read moregoing on. It definitely did not feel like a safe place to leave a car or to walk alone. There appeared to be drug activity, and there were people living in their cars. It felt more like a place for people to hang out and purchase drugs than a normal parking lot. I observed this as I drove through, which was very concerning. This was a bummer, especially since the trail itself looked beautiful. I'm surprised that law enforcement hasn't been called by the neighborhood, but then again, I understand that people can sometimes become used to these conditions.

We always love hiking here. It's easy to hike with kids, even though it can get a little rocky and…read morea little muddy. The cave is always beautiful, especially when the water is flowing. Today, there are still descent of people hiking, and we came around 12:30 Easy Hike!Gonna come back again soon. P. S please leave no trace

Everything about this walk, hike, views, sounds, was worth every moment of the visit. We had recent…read moreviewed this from someone else's Facebook post and decided it was part of our summer vibes. This was well worth it. FREE access, views, nature sounds, fishing. What more could you ask for. Pack your own snack or lunch even if you wanted too. You won't many benches to sit along the way, but hey, why not utilize one of the many massive tree trunks that were just cut up on the side of the trail. If you have any type of water shoes, bring those alongside your walking shoes. During our visit we did about a good 4 miles of trail visit. The road entering into the location is very narrow, and almost like a one vehicle a time passing.We would DEFINITELY see ourselves visiting here again. No IF, ANDs or BUTS about it.

Beautiful views and a super unique hike. The dam at the end was very cool too. It was very hot so…read morewe could even get very close and get splashed by the dam water, cooling us off. Pro tip, you can drive up to near the dam and do the trail backwards if you want to be able to see the dam without hiking as long. One caveat, you have to walk single file so it's a bit hard to have any big group conversations.

My resupply on the PCT at Kennedy Meadows turned into a mini vacation that I'll look back fondly on…read morefor years. I took advantage of the shuttle they run from Sonora pass to the resort. I called to confirm the pickup time, and it was right on schedule. The guy driving the van was filling in for the usual driver, but he was professional and shared some cool facts about the area. At the resort he pointed me towards the designated hiker hangout area and let me know where the front desk was so I could work out accommodations. I had my heart set on a cabin to nurse my chewed up feet and wait for my replacement shoes to arrive via FedEx, but they were totally booked up. The woman at the front desk was awesome though and told me she'd put me in an empty dorm and try to let me have it to myself as long as possible. Picking up my resupply at the general store was easy, and the hiker area was convenient for repacking my bag. The general store had a great selection of all the typical hiker foods, and tons of great snacks. Laundry was a little chaotic because people (workers and hikers) were leaving their finished loads in the machines for ages, but eventually all my chores were done and I was able to relax in the restaurant. There was only one server working but she was friendly and kicking butt. The burger made with their own beef was great. After retiring to my dorm to kill many hours using the strong WiFi, I came back down to the restaurant seeking dinner. The days they offer prime rib are a bit of a madhouse because people travel specifically for the occasion. I couldn't get the attention of any server so I went back to my room. I came back closer to closing and was able to awkwardly shuffle in. The prime rib dinner was massive and pretty good. Even with my hiker hunger I wasn't able to finish it. The generator is LOUD, but you generally get used to it. When it slams off at night the silence is welcomed but jarring. The WiFi still works though. The next morning the restaurant was bustling for breakfast. It always seems like there's never quite enough servers, but that's not surprising considering it's a remote resort. I signed up for one of the short trail rides for a very reasonable $35. I turned out to be the only guest taking that particular ride, which was fun if not a little awkward. The guide was extremely professional and did a good job giving me directions and keeping an eye on how my saddle was positioned and how my horse was behaving. It was a beautiful short ride with a little bit of surprising rocky terrain and creek crossings. The rest of my second day at KM was spent in the saloon waiting for my shoes to arrive. Even though they recommend UPS, FedEx managed to arrive on schedule and my feet were saved. The bar had a great vibe with its strictly western jukebox and friendly barkeep. Dinner on a weekday was much less chaotic, and the ribeye was delicious. The next morning the shuttle driver struck a deal to take someone to a nearby town, so the shuttle was off schedule. Luckily the backpackers spread the word amongst ourselves and after sending a package home with the front desk, I wound up back at Sonora pass in the morning as planned, probably a few pounds heavier. I highly recommend Kennedy Meadows as a resupply and zero spot. They're extremely honest and upfront about how much everything they offer costs, and I didn't feel looked down on for being a smelly hiker. It's a beautiful area, and I plan on coming back for a vacation someday and getting my hands on one of those cabins!

Our family's been going here since 1972!!! We absolutely LOVEI IT!! Camping cabins horseback riding…read morecamp fires great food at their restaurant. Gorgeous Views everywhere!!!

Wow such a little gem off of Hwy 108 as you are climbing over the Sierras…read more It was quite early but I decided to pull over to grab a drink from the cooler and decided this was the spot. It a a small area with parking and has restrooms. The are was pretty clean and its a short loop type setup. However once you park the views are stunning. it also appears to be the gateway for multiple trails. There are not a ton of parking spots so I can imagine it can fill up but if you looking for a spot to pull over and stretch your legs this is excellent

I can't believe nobody has reviewed this awesome hike yet! The hike begins at Mono Village…read moreCampground which can be found by turning onto Twin Lakes road in Bridgeport and taking said road all the way to end, which is the Campground. You can park in the day use area if you're just doing a day hike but if you plan on doing backcountry camping, you'll need to pay them the $10 bucks to leave your car overnight. That $10 will buy you up to 7 days of parking. Follow the road between the maze of tents and motor homes until you reach the sign that marks the official beginning of the trail to Barney Lake. Take that trail roughly 4 miles up and you'll find it. It's simply gorgeous and an amazing view up there. From here, you can turn around and head back or continue up the trail to Robinson Lakes, Crown Lake, Snow Lake, and eventually, Yosemite National Park. The trail is very easy to follow and is mostly on an even level. There's switchbacks towards the end as you near the lake, but they're not bad incline wise. From car to lake and back to the car, it's just a hair over 9 miles. This is one of my favorite hikes in the area and I do it at least once or twice every season. Just please be respectful and leave no trace. Also, this area is known to be popular with Bears. I've personally never seen one here, but a lot of others have. That being said, you have nothing to be fearful of. If you do come across one, give it plenty of room and respect and you'll be fine and for god's sake DON'T FEED THEM! Or any wildlife for that matter. You have no idea how many moronic tourist I yell at for feeding squirrels and deer. Lol.

White Pines exploring this weekend was insane. My daughter and I had a blast riding some of the…read morefire roads with unreal views. There's miles of roads and trails everywhere that lead down to the river. Super chill people out and about enjoying the weather. Will definitely be back next time in Arnold.

Came up here for 4th of July weekend, and what a cool little gem it is! Lots of nice beach area,…read morehiking, frisbee golf, fishing, and just general fun on the lake with swimming, inflatables, etc. I totally recommend! :)

Whoa. I've been into…read morethe Sierra Nevada mountain range all my life, so I'm well aware of how rugged and gorgeous it all is. But it seems that the Emigrant Wilderness takes this up a notch. I didn't think this was possible. I bought a backpack last year to take to Channel Islands. Why not use it this year for a semi-major backpacking trip. Of the places I was considering, I narrowed it down to the Emigrant Wilderness. Got my route planned out, and off I went to Kennedy Meadows. I ended up using two trailheads. When I got my wilderness permit, the ranger warned me that snow was blocking a lot of my itinerary. It certainly was. My four days out of Kennedy Meadows turned into only 26 hours. In that 26 hours was jaw-dropping scenery ranging from vast canyons and mountain ranges to pretty seasonal creeks and wildflowers. I camped near Summit Creek, going to sleep with a raging waterfall close by. By now, you're probably thinking of the first few minutes of "The Sound Of Music", and saying "Aw, I wish I was there!" I wish you were too. Be warned that it is pretty strenuous, and you start at 6500 feet. Okay, my second trip: the Crabtree trailhead. I did much less hiking this time, only five miles to Grouse Lake. I didn't need to go any further. The area around Grouse Lake has a lot to see and do: a smallish lake divided by a peninsula, lots of fishing and swimming spots, birds flying and singing, glaciated granite to climb and run on. (And plenty of mosquitoes; bring lots of repellant.) There are other destinations from this trailhead, too; hikers I saw said that they were going to Camp Lake, Bear Lake. It's a remote trailhead, but it filled up on a Saturday afternoon, so beware! A big part of the attraction of the Emigrant Wilderness is that the only "improvements" we've made are trails and the occasional reservoir. Everything else is just as it was when California became a state. It's wild. It does take a bit of effort to get back here. And when you do, you're not disappointed. It's an immersion into the mountains, a place with just you and the Lord, and He rejuvenates your spirit among His handiwork. Dick Proenneke, who lived in solitude near Alaska's Lake Clark, told John Kauffmann for National Geographic, "Mountains are a man's best friends if he only knew it. You hike and climb every day and you don't grow old." (He was 63.) The same can be said for the Emigrant Wilderness. If you get the food situation figured out, you could live here for an entire summer and still not see it all, and still wish you had more time.

Beautiful! We did the Kennedy Lake trail (15 mi) and camped overnight. It was so peaceful!…read moreBeautiful mountains, streams, trees, and wildlife (deer and rabbits). We tried to get to the lake but it was super swampy. It was very cold (30 F in late June so be sure to pack warm stuff! Happy Hiking!

Have you ever gone somewhere that reminded you just how big the world truly is? Twin Lakes did that…read morefor me and I'd rank it as my most spectacular Eastern discovery to date! It starts on the drive in. The panoramic views of the valley are breathtaking and the mountains so impressive that their scale is felt on first sight. That feeling only grows as you get closer until they surround and you realize how truly massive they are. The lakes are equally beautiful and breathtaking. Clear and cold water flows from the mountain into the two lakes. The local conservation organizations make sure this area stays clean and filled with fish, making this a fantastic angling destination. We enjoyed the shores of Upper Twin Lakes this Memorial Day weekend and found plenty of places to set up for the afternoon. Parking was a little tricky, so just prepare for that and a walk from the car with your things to ensure a fantastic time. The water in May was quite cold and shallow a ways out, so waders are recommended for anyone who wants to fish from shore, though there were many who were successful without them. All in all, this is a rad area to explore with lots of camping options around. I'm looking forward to another visit soon.

Loved this place! Beautiful scenery. Friendly folks. Great sites! WiFi works great when campground…read moreisn't full

Beautiful trail just outside of Yosemite off of Highway 140 in El Portal. My husband and I hiked…read moreabout 2.5 miles of the trail mid June. The whole trail is 4.5 miles one way- about 9 miles round trip if you want to go all the way to Hite Cove. We wanted to go all the way to the end, however temperatures in the canyon rise fast during the summer and it was easily 100 degrees by noon. The trail follows up above the Merced River. There were a few times when you can get right down to the river. About 1.5-2 miles in, there is a section with rocks that looks like it is made for jumping in the river. The trail is entirely single track with some areas with steep drop offs. Make sure to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray. There is very little shade and the trail is almost completely exposed. To find the trail, just look for the Red Bud Lodge and park right across the street. There is a sign that points just to the trailhead next to the lodge. I would recommend to come as early as possible if you are coming in the summertime.

Considering that everything else in El Portal is some pee stained remnant from the Sears catalog,…read morewe didn't have high hopes for the 'trail' that came recommended. It's not that encouraging as you drive up either. Seems very average and nondescript. As it was our first night in the greater Yosemite area, we definitely wanted to get out and so we went for it. In retrospect, I would say it was one of the nicer hikes we went on. You walk high above the Merced River on a narrow trail amongst wild flowers and with a beautiful view of the mountains. The power of the river and the beauty of the land impressed all of us. It and easy/intermediate hike. One drawback is that it's not a loop. So you can go as long as you want (to the end even) and come back. We went and hour and turned around. Recommend.

Chasing (roadside) waterfalls…read more.. This is a pretty decent roadside waterfall off Highway 50 (between Sac and Lake Tahoe) near Pollock Pines. It is pretty during spring as snow melting gives the waterfall a good amount of flow with a drop of 80-ft. Nice stop to stretch out the legs at the same time. The waterfall grabs your attention whether you're driving to or from Lake Tahoe. The falls is to your right as you head to the Lake. I suppose you can pull over on the opposite side of the highway to get a full view of the falls but I wouldn't cross the road as it is dangerous because there are blind turns, sometimes cars and trucks whiz by fast and furious down this road. Easy access where you literally just pull over into a very large pullout right in front of the falls. This waterfalls is about 60 miles from our place. It is worth stopping to look at, at least once, on your way to Lake Tahoe. Review #2106 updated

Worth the quick stop to get out, stretch and check it out on the drive to Tahoe or back! Very cool…read morelittle falls on an easy pull out.