By Dave Boyer
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A visit to a National Park can be an adventure in life that will almost always put a smile on the face of a traveler. These extraordinary spots located throughout the United States have been made into a national park for some reason, usually because of some unique twist of Mother Nature or a man made wonder of some type. so the chances of seeing something spectacular is highly probable for the visitor. Whether a human marvel or a product of Earths ongoing natural changes, national parks usually pack in the masses. Unfortunately being around large groups can be less than pleasant at times for some of us. I know I’m that way. Ah…the typical tourist; you got to love them because at one time or another you’re one yourself. I’ve been to Yosemite National Park so often over my lifetime that I usually steer clear of the valley floor due to the overcrowding and traffic. Obviously I wouldn’t suggest avoiding Yosemite, or any other national park for that matter because of “zoo effect???. Seeing something spectacular for the first time often negates the hoards of sightseers bumping into you when you’re trying to get that perfect photograph. But there are times when it’s worth a visit even if it’s crowded. Maybe it’s a seasonal change such as when the trees turn color in fall, a desert flower bloom, or when the first snowfall arrives. With Yosemite it’s easy to figure that the prime time to visit the park is when the waterfalls are at their peak. Even though the major waterfalls are impressive throughout spring and early summer, sometimes the Park’s lesser falls put on a good show.
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By Dave Boyer
The Wolf Creek Trail located just east of the Sonora Pass crest (Ca highway 108) is a class I off road vehicle route that offers scenic views of the Sierra Nevada’s close to the 108 corridor. Situated basically north of the Leavitt Lake Jeep route, this path is a much smoother route than most 4×4 trails and is generally 2WD friendly in good weather. It meanders through light to medium forested areas and high altitude shrub brush below the eastern slope of Sonora Peak and White Mountain which rest at the crown of the Sierra Nevada Range. The 4×4 road finally ends up passing through the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center located at Pickel Meadow. The trail supplies excellent views of the surrounding mountains and is scenic alternate to highway 108.
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By Dave Boyer
Location: Central California east of Fresno.
Seasons open: Spring-Summer-Fall weather permitting.
Nearby Facilities & Camping: Several primitive camping spots along the Kings River. Limited dispersed camping along the trail.
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The Davis Flat Trail located in the lower Sierra Foothills of California is a fairly scenic non-paved forest service road that runs between Pine Flat Reservoir and Ca highway 180. It’s one route that connects the Kings River Canyon area to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. In general, the trail is maintained well and is usually passable with higher clearance 2WD vehicles depending on the weather. Of course, as with any non paved route, it’s best to check trail conditions before running it. Several fairly steep switchbacks take you past the numerous vista points along the route making the drive quite memorable. It can be a great run for larger vehicles or for those who wish a more non technical drive. For people new to driving off road, this is a good trail to start off with.
By Dave Boyer
State: California
County: Mono County
Season: Summer, Fall
Elevation: 9560 ft (Lake Level)
Facilities: None
Located on the eastern crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range off highway 108, Leavitt Lake is a beautiful high altitude body of water surrounded by high peaks that tower well above the tree line. Referred to as the Leavitt bowl, the lake is a good trailhead into the Emigrant Wilderness and has nearby access to the Pacific Crest trail. Fishing is excellent and half of the visitors come up to Trout fish for the day. But the lakes real shinning factor is the access road that leads into the lake keeps the majority of campers and automobiles out of the region due to its rough nature. Things have changed a bit with the advent of the SUV, but a trip to Leavitt Lake is still a nice getaway from the masses that occupy the lower regions. It’s rare to find vehicle access to high altitude alpine lakes like Leavitt making this a gem of the Sierra Nevada Range.
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By Dave Boyer
Death Valley has become a favorite winter destination since I purchased my van in late 2005. With most of the High Sierra Nevada Mountain Range closed off due to snow, Death Valley usually offers a mild climate alternative. I always look forward to a desert region trip with a buddy and to meet up with friends for some off road exploration is always welcome.
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