Greetings From Sequoia National Forest

[Lin]

We have been up here at the Eshom Creek Campground since last Sunday.  Although the place is remote and a drive to get to, they do have Verizon cell and 3G service.  I think the story is that Verizon put in a tower to primarily cover another area, but it covers this one also.  We have had the park almost all to ourselves for the weekdays, but it is supposed to fill up for Saturday.  There is a dirt road from this campground that goes right up into Kings Canyon National Park and takes about 20 minutes--that is if you don't go on the wrong road like we did and end up following an old logging road for an hour.  Fortunately, it eventually curved around and joined the right road.  The correct road it okay for 2 wheel drive cars; the one we took was not.

Before coming up, we spoke to someone from the Forest Service that got a little touchy when I questioned whether our 35 footer towing a Jeep could make the trip.  She assured me there would be no problem.  She was absolutely right up until we hit the first 180 switchback. We got stuck on that one.  The nice people that were stuck behind us were very helpful unhitching the Jeep, so the rest of the ride was less exciting.  They have some huge campsites here as will as average ones; our picnic table is about 40 feet away from the bus.  The climate is very pleasant; about 15-20 degrees cooler than down below or our home in JT.

I am posting this so that anyone in or passing through the California Central Valley will keep it in mind as an option.  I'd say we are about an hour and a half east of Fresno.  Bring everything you may need.  There are no stores nearby.

[jjrbus]

I had an interesting experience in that area. The 671 was strained but made it to the top, I was a bit concerned couple times. They had no issue at the gate with the 35 footer.  I went to Kings Canyon to stay.

Now here I am up in the mountains, fresh air, radios blaring, car alarms going off, TV's balasting in MH's, kids running around screaming, what the. This was the first campground on the left near the store. I decided to stay the nite explore a a bit the next day and pull out in the evening. I would go to a hood in LA where it might be quiet.

I wandered a bit the next day, way in the rear of the park is a general store with visible gas pumps which they were still using. I was in total awe at some of the trees.  On the way back there was a campground a few miles from the first. It was a bit primitive but was heaven compared to the first. I was able to get the 35 footer in there with a bit of effort and stayed for several days.

So after that I avoid areas in parks with stores, showers and electric hookups!   

Beautiful area I enjoyed my stay there.   JIm

[Lin]

The campgrounds by the main visitor centers in the parks are often zoos.  Check out the one by the west entrance to Yosemite. They are generally booked way in advance too. The ones without hookups are a better bet for peace.   This one is National Forest.  It is also not on the main route into the Park.  It sounds like you went up 180 and stayed the night by the Grant Grove Visitor Center.

[RJ]

Lin -

If you happen to come down via 180 into Fresno when leaving, give me a call - I'll spring for the Pepsis!   

Contact number's in my profile.

RJ

[Lin]

Thanks RJ-- Right now the planned route is to go down to Lemon Cove and stay there for a couple of days.  My wife is set upon seeing the Crystal Cave at the Sequoia end.  It is too much of a drive from here (about 3 hours each way). That will be closer and will give a chance for a couple of days with hookups for me to decompress from bus resource management.