Kennedy Meadows, Sonora

Trails are spread everywhere across the mountains. There is something for everyone in the Sonora Pass region, as there are all kind of trails, easy, intermediate and high elevation and also long day adventures. One of the best trails to go backpacking is Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir.

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It is a one way, 3 mi/4.8 km, moderate trail with elevation gain of 1000 ft/304.8 m. This trail takes you to the shores of Relief Reservoir. Begin your adventure at Kennedy Meadow. The first mile is an easy stroll, going through the meadow, where some episodes of “Little House on the Prairie”, a television creation by Michael Landon, were filmed.

After crossing a bridge, you begin a steep climb on a wide trail, carved out of the mountainside, right after the Relief Dam was being constructed in the early 1900’s. There is another bridge and steep climb, taking you past an old P G and E building. Not far away you find the area around the dam.

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While continuing on the  trail along the hillside high above the reservoir, you turn onto a use trail that leads to the dam. You can camp near the Lake or the Meadow.