Glamping =0)
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:08 pm
Not quite "High" Sierra, not quite the usual trip for the wife and I, but super fun and worth a go if you can make the time..
Tried something new last weekend: Staying in an old fire lookout tower. Last Fall my wife had mentioned that she had always wanted to stay in one, so I booked the Oak Flat Lookout tower in the foothills of the southern sierra above the Kern River canyon. It's at +/-4960' elevation, so I don't know if this qualifies as "High" Sierra, but it has amazing views.
No electricity, but the USFS does provide a full range with an oven (which we used), a propane light (didn't use) and a propane heater (definitely didn't use), as well as a couple beds and a well kept bathroom about 50 yards away, which makes for some serious luxury in my opinion.
We arrived at about 2 am on Saturday. The road in requires a high clearance 4X4 or AWD for the last 1/4 mile or so, but is otherwise a piece of cake. Climbing up in the dark and wind was a bit exciting though. I, despite all the climbing I've done, am terrified of heights, and was less excited than Britt, who loved it. We set the alarm for 4:45 to enjoy the full sunrise. I took advantage of the oven and made cinnamon rolls and coffee We took a day trip into Kernville and hit up Kern River Brewing (good stuff!) Then headed downstream to the Remington Hot Springs (well worth visiting) and back to the tower for an afternoon charcuterie plate while we waited for the sun to set soaking in the views We must have taken a few hundred pics of the sunset. it was spectacular Topped off the evening with a burrata and sausage pizza for dinner followed by some stargazing. Got up the next day, made eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, then headed home. (no pics as reached the limit)
Hope you enjoy!
Tried something new last weekend: Staying in an old fire lookout tower. Last Fall my wife had mentioned that she had always wanted to stay in one, so I booked the Oak Flat Lookout tower in the foothills of the southern sierra above the Kern River canyon. It's at +/-4960' elevation, so I don't know if this qualifies as "High" Sierra, but it has amazing views.
No electricity, but the USFS does provide a full range with an oven (which we used), a propane light (didn't use) and a propane heater (definitely didn't use), as well as a couple beds and a well kept bathroom about 50 yards away, which makes for some serious luxury in my opinion.
We arrived at about 2 am on Saturday. The road in requires a high clearance 4X4 or AWD for the last 1/4 mile or so, but is otherwise a piece of cake. Climbing up in the dark and wind was a bit exciting though. I, despite all the climbing I've done, am terrified of heights, and was less excited than Britt, who loved it. We set the alarm for 4:45 to enjoy the full sunrise. I took advantage of the oven and made cinnamon rolls and coffee We took a day trip into Kernville and hit up Kern River Brewing (good stuff!) Then headed downstream to the Remington Hot Springs (well worth visiting) and back to the tower for an afternoon charcuterie plate while we waited for the sun to set soaking in the views We must have taken a few hundred pics of the sunset. it was spectacular Topped off the evening with a burrata and sausage pizza for dinner followed by some stargazing. Got up the next day, made eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, then headed home. (no pics as reached the limit)
Hope you enjoy!
, the hot springs, cheese, olives, and especially the sunset. Thanks for sharing Dave.
everything else is just gravy, lots and lots of gravy 