Kern Cabin (FR 12N21) in CA -- Camping Rules & Access
Kern Cabin (FR 12N21) in CA
Road corridorEldorado NF, Pacific Ranger District
12 mi from Pollock Pines
3.7 mi off US 50 (straight line)
Maps 5,444 ft
Camping permission not confirmed
Miles 0.6–1 and 8.7–9.6 cross land the Forest Service doesn't manage; camping there needs the landowner's permission.
Motor-vehicle season 4/1–12/31Stay limit: 10 days · Per calendar year, counted per ranger district
VerizonWEAK
AT&TUSABLE
T-MobileUSABLE
StarlinkGOOD
Road Access
Difficult
- 14.2 of this road’s 16.7 miles are maintained for high-clearance vehicles, 14.2 miles of it dirt.
- Near Big Hill.
- Estimated climb: 2,700 ft over 16.7 miles through 18 switchbacks, with sustained grades near 14% and pitches to 56%.
- Terrain estimates show roadside drops of up to ~130 ft on the downhill side.
- Dead-end road; turnaround space is not mapped.
- A gate 16.6 miles along the road.
Setting
Fairly secluded
- Well separated here, with the nearest through road 1.1 miles off.
- Big Hill Ridge stands 708 ft above the map pin, 0.7 miles south.
- The Union Valley Reservoir shoreline is 0.3 mi off.
Rules
Climate averages
October normals 38–65°F, 3.3″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.