OverviewThe Kennedy Meadows trailhead is located on the west side of the Sonora Pass and provides access to the Emigrant Wilderness Area from the north. The resort offers rustic cabins, bunk rooms, a supply store, a restaurant, a saloon, hot showers for rent, and they also operate a large pack station (horses/mules).
The trailhead starts at the end of the parking lot for the resort, at the metal gate. There is a free trailhead parking lot about 1/2 mile back towards HWY 108 on the right-hand side. (Look for the sign.)
You can also pay to park in the resort lot, which is closer to the gate. The current rate is $5 per night. If you pay to get packed into the backcountry on horses, they usually waive the parking fee. (Kennedy Meadows will also give you a free shower on your return if you rent horses from them.)
You are allowed to sleep 1 night at the trailhead parking lot, but you cannot pitch a tent there. Alternatively, you can rent a campsite at one of 2 public campgrounds near the resort; Bakers Campground and Deadman's Campground. They often fill up on summer weekends though.Fire at the Kennedy Meadows Resort On October 1, 2007 a fire destroyed the historic main lodge, restaurant, supply store and 7 cabins at the Kennedy Meadows Resort. The resort has since been undergoing reconstruction.
UPDATE: The lodge, store, and restaurant just repened on June 30th.
Note that if you were holding reservations for one of the cabins, you should contact the resort imemdiately to confirm your reservation.
The trailhead has remained open and was not affected by the fire.
MyMotherLode news report.
Photos of the fire.
Kennedy Meadows updatesDirectionsKennedy Meadows is located approximately 57 miles east of Sonora, CA, and 32 miles west of Bridgeport, CA on Highway 108. There is a very large sign on HWY 108 that marks the road to Kennedy Meadows.
Follow the road for 2 miles until you reach Kennedy Meadows Resort.
 AccessibilityPlease note that Hwy 108 is closed in winter. CalTrans normally has the road open from the west as far as Kennedy Meadows for the opener of trout fishing season the last weekend in April. Sonora Pass does not usually open until some time in May, depending on the amount of snow fall each year.Weather Forecast
External LinksKennedy Meadows Resort
Hwy 108 Road Conditions Images
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Sonora Pass Area
