[pct-l] Chartering a bus

[wandering_bob at comcast.net (Bob Bankhead)]

Exactly how hard is it to get between Kennedy Meadows and Ridgecrest? One 
has several public transportation options from there. (see 
http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~rbell/JMTTransport.html#KernRegionalTransit )

If the sierras are still snowed in by June 15, will KM even be open yet?

I've travelled in and out via both Mojave and Walker Pass. You don't want to 
do Walker Pass if you can possibly help it. Mojave is much easier and you 
wind up in the same place - Bakersfield. You can catch Amtrak or Greyhound 
to Vancouver BC from there. Greyhound Canada can get you directly to Manning 
Park Lodge.

Caveat:   It is 130 hot, mostly dry, high desert miles from Mojave to KM. 
The high spot (8000 feet) is just north of Chimney Creek CG and south of KM. 
Skipping those 130 miles early means a long, hot, dry walk to KM later. I 
don't know how late into the season Motolady keeps her two water caches 
going in section F, but you will definitely need them. The camp host at 
Chimney Creek CG will shuttle you to KM for $50 or anywhere else off the 
mountain for $100 cash up-front. This should be considered an emergency only 
option as you're only 20 miles from KM at that point. I had to use his 
services into Onyx when I got ill last year. However, there is no on-call 
return trip available.

Wandering Bob


----- Original Message ----- 
> Chartering a bus from Onyx, Mojave, or Tehachapi might be a thought.
> They're better places to leave from on the bus, and they're better places
> to leave from as you're completing your hike.  Kennedy meadows has no
> public transportation and is very difficult to get in and out of.  For 
> that
> reason I'd want to use somewhere else other than Kennedy Meadows as a 
> start
> or finishing point.
> Warner Springs Monty