The BLT Guidebook

Trailhead: Kennedy Meadows Trailhead
Out & Back: Kennedy Lake Trail
Distance: 15.5-16.5 Miles (1 night depending on your abilities/ the extra mile is depending on where you parked)
Time of Year: Summer (Beginning of July)
Traffic: Heavy* in some places, low in others (*4th of July Weekend)
Maps: AllTrails (Downloaded)

Trail Background

In the Stanislaus National Forest sits Kennedy Meadows*- a popular spot in the summer for campers, fisherman, and horse riders. It’s famous for its pack station and its popular mention among PCT hikers. It’s situated as the gateway for the High Sierras and has been a rest stop for travelers as early as the 1900’s.

This spot was perfect for a last minute backpacking trip in California- Dan had never been to KM before and the Stanislaus does not currently have a wilderness permit quota, so you do not have to plan weeks in advance for a trip, which makes for a fun and easy backpacking trip. We woke up early from the bay area one morning and reached the rangers station when they opened.

*Note: California has Kennedy Meadows Resort and Kennedy Meadows Campground– they are not in the same place!

The Trail:

This trail does not have a lot of information. We found it originally by going to the ranger station to grab a permit and the person who was issuing it gave us advice on where to go overnight. Once you head into Kennedy Meadows, it doesn’t matter which path you take, you cannot go wrong!

Start/End Point: Kennedy Meadows Trailhead (Kennedy Meadows TH)

Mile ~1: Kennedy Meadows TH to Kennedy Meadows Resort

We didn’t know you could park at the resort if you paid an overnight fee. It’s about a mile walk from the TH to the resort/ the “actual” start of the hike. It’s like a walking tour of the meadows!

Mile ~1.5: Kennedy Meadow

The road from the resort to the trail is paved, a bit uphill, and can also be hard to find depending on your direction. About a half mile into this, the meadow and the river will be on your right.

Mile ~2.5: First Bridge

This is one of my favorite spots on this trail. The wall of granite that follows up the trail is beautiful.

Mile ~2.5: Second Bridge

Not far up from the first bridge is a long second bridge. It hangs above the river canyon.

Mile ~3.2: Kennedy Lake Junction

After some steeper granite climbing, there will be a break where you can keep going to the Relief Reservoir (a popular day hike) or you can take this small trail that branches off called Kennedy Lake Junction. For the most part, there are not too many trail markers, but there is also not too many trails and they all kind of lead to the same place!

This was the longest stretch of hiking since the trail ends at the lake. We were in a forested section most of the way. Eventually, we passed a cattle guard fence and were embraced by a meadow, cows, and mountains on all sides.

Mile ~8: Kennedy Lake

Kennedy Lake is a High Sierra lake that sits at a base of Kennedy Peak and the water from Kennedy Creek flows into it. Along the creek, you can find spaces to camp and they have this large group area where the resort supplies pack mules for people who want a hands-off overnight camping experience.

At the lake, we were able to find a campfire circle where we could make a fire. We had a little afternoon shower and enjoyed the rest of our day lounging, listening to music, and reading.

Miles ~8-16.5: Everything in Reverse

Since this is an out-and-back, you would hit all of the mileage in reverse order until you made it back to your car!

The Extras

~Since you basically start/end at a store (and bar!), you can get all of your food needs there for any last-minute snacking! Great way to end the trail!
~Deadman Campground and Baker Campgrounds are both first-come, first-serve campgrounds near the start of the trailhead parking. If you are backpacking, you can stay in the parking lot for free the first night.

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While I was writing this, I thought about the reasons why people gather in certain spaces- is it proximity, family memories, activities nearby? The trail is small compared to many other trails you can go on, but I think the experience you get here is about community. The community that surrounds the resort, its namesake on the PCT, the people who come across on a day hike or overnight trek, and the beauty the Sierra has to offer.

Where are some places you end up each year? How come?