A springtime riot — for you and Fido
June is great pretty much everywhere, but it’s especially wonderful about 200 miles west of Las Vegas in the surprisingly little-visited Kern Plateau. Verdant meadows, blooming wildflowers and bubbling brooks full of trout — it’s a springtime riot. The road through the southern end of the Sierra Nevadas was the last paved road constructed in these mountains. Make a point of appreciating this final accommodation for people who travel by internal combustion engine while the lupine is still in bloom.
The Kern Plateau is an especially appealing destination if pets are along for the ride. Dogs especially love a chance to romp under the piñon pines and chase a few squirrels. (Avoid letting them chase larger creatures, however, by keeping them on leads. Black bears are just waking from hibernation in late spring.)
On the westward journey from Las Vegas, pause to top off your fuel tank in Olancha, Calif. Turn west on Nine Mile Canyon Road. Precipitous drop-offs on both sides make for an exhilarating drive as you climb from the desert floor to the 6,500-foot valley that contains Kennedy Meadows.
If you’ve arrived at mealtime, stop at the Kennedy Meadows Chuck Wagon BBQ and hope that Chef Al is serving sausages — they alone are worth the drive. Enjoy the clientele, too — hikers following the Pacific Crest Trail can often be found on Al’s patio, because the trail passes through the area less than a mile away. While there is no formal lodging in Kennedy Meadows, you’ll find campsites scattered along the river in addition to a couple of Forest Service campgrounds.
As it winds through Sequoia National Forest, the road’s name changes to Kennedy Meadows Road. There are two more campgrounds in this area. To continue — and if you’re looking for formal lodging — proceed west on Sherman Pass Road and wind to the top of 9,200-foot Sherman Pass. The road offers incredible views of the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the north. Just before the pass, take a short walk to the Bald Mountain Fire Lookout tower for even more astounding views of the area.
At Sierra Highway, turn south along the North Fork of the Kern River and — hopefully it’s mealtime again — stop at McNally’s Fairview Lodge. Because it boasts its own butcher and is famed for its aged beef, McNally’s is well known for serving up some of the best steaks in California. A charming if somewhat Spartan motel provides rooms, or stay in one of the lodge’s six furnished travel trailers. A pedestrian-only suspension bridge crosses the river behind the lodge and provides great views of inner-tube floaters. If you’re there on a full-moon night, don’t miss a magical walk across the bridge after moonrise.
Both Lake Isabella and Kernville offer a variety of lodging choices, and several welcome pets. Whispering Pines Lodge in Kernville is another charming option. Return to Las Vegas by retracing the route or heading south to CA-58 and return on Interstate 15. — Mark Sedenquist
(Cheat sheet: US-95 to CA-190 to US-395 to Nine Mile Canyon Road to Kennedy Meadows Road to Sherman Pass Road to Kern River Road. Click here for an interactive map of this trip.)
Road dogs
Tripping with your furry best friend this summer? Here are a few tips to make for smooth driving.
•Teach expectation. Before a long road trip, take short jaunts and let your dog get out and walk around. This builds enthusiasm for car trips.
•Create pet travel kits with extra water bottles, food, toys and beds. Consider ginger capsules for carsickness issues.
•All dogs should be secure in the vehicle — doggie-seat belt/harnesses are readily available and allow enough movement for comfort.
•Dogs should be on leashes in the forest to avoid encounters with skunks, bears and other less-friendly animals.
•Carry a small plastic bowl with a snap-on lid — it makes a great watering dish on the trail.
•Tick collars are essential when walking dogs in forest or rural areas. Consider vaccination for Lyme disease.
•Carry a complete set of medical records and contact numbers for your vet.
•When driving, stop every two or three hours to allow pets to run and stretch.
• Always give water at the start of a rest break. Giving cool water to an excited dog getting back in the car can lead to unexpected upchucks in the center console.
• Many pet-friendly motels offer pet treats, but resist them. A consistent diet works much better when traveling. — M.S.
With Fletcher Canyon, Mt. Charleston has brought the adventure of hiking a slot canyon to unusual heights — over 7,000 feet! This misplacement combines sheer rock walls with tall trees and verdant landscapes. The trail runs adjacent to, and crosses, an oft-flowing stream that has cut its way through solid limestone. As you continue upstream, Fletcher Canyon’s walls narrow to only a few feet wide. An added treat, Fletcher is home to the protected Palmer’s Chipmunks. Mind your nuts. (Difficulty: Easy.) — Alan Gegax