At the bottom of the Sierras

Rather than risk running into a closed pass over the Sierras and needing to backtrack, I looped around the southern end.

That brings me to a free camping area on Isabella Lake. The last time I was through here it was in the middle of a long hard drought and the lake was nearly dry—like so many in the region. But now it’s back up to something close to normal, even with a disappointing snowpack this year.

It’s Friday morning and I need to find a place before the weekenders start swarming the area, taking up all the good spots. There are some officially designated free dispersed camping areas along the highly restricted Kern River.

I’m going to take a look and see if any of the sites appeal to me. I won’t expect solitude if I stay the weekend. And I doubt there's a cell signal in the canyon. Stay tuned.