Kern Plateau
Public Stock Pastures

Information & Maps provided by US Forest Service / Department of Agriculture

| Pasture & Trail Info | Adopt-A-Pasture Info | Back Country Ethics | Safety Tips |
| Public Pasture Facilities Directory |

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KERN PLATEAU PUBLIC PASTURES
SEQUOIA National Forest

The Kem Plateau offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast including horse and stock accommodations. Six public pastures are available for overnight use, each offering a variety of facilities to suit the backcountry stock users needs. Eastside public pastures include Beach Meadow and Paloma Meadow, westside public pastures are Big Meadow North, Big Meadow West, Cannell Meadow and Manter Meadow, and all are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

DESCRIPTION & TRAILS

Adjacent to each of these public pastures are over 400 miles of scenic trails that meander through lush forests, along serene streams, past granite dome rocks, and through a diverse array of flora and fauna. The many connecting trails offered can take you from the quaint town of Kernville all the way up to Jordan Hot Springs in the Golden Trout Wilderness and beyond. Elevations range from 2800 feet in Kernville to 9300 feet at Sirretta Pass on the Sirretta Trail (34E12), averaging 7500 to 8000 feet at the pastures.

Be advised that all forest trails are also explored by hikers, backpackers and occasional lama users. Trails outside the wilderness areas are enjoyed by mountain bikers, and some are designated for off-highway vehicle use.

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ADOPT-A-PASTURE PROGRAM

Under the Adopt-A-Pasture Program, various clubs and organizations are volunteering two weekends a year to help maintain public pastures. These groups are responsible for building and maintaining fences and gates on designated public pastures. The Forest Service provides technical assistance, materials, special tools if needed, and a sign indicating the name of the group that has adopted and is maintaining the pasture.

Beach Meadow has been adopted by Valley Riders of Ridgecrest, California. Back Country Horseman, Kern Sierra Unit, has adopted Paloma Meadow, Big Meadow North, and Manter Meadow. Big Meadow West is adopted by Back Country Horseman, Santa Ana River Unit; and, Cannell Meadow has been adopted by Back Country Horsemen, Kern Valley Unit.

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WILDERNESS & BACK COUNTRY TRAVEL ETHICS

Three wilderness areas are accessible from the public pastures and Manter Meadow is located in the Dome Land Wilderness. A wilderness permit is required when staying overnight in the Golden Trout Wilderness only.

Increased use and popularity of the wilderness areas, not only by stock users but other recreationists as well, has brought about the need for use restrictions. A policy has been instituted to improve the wilderness experience which limits group sizes to no more than 15 people and 25 head of stock.

• Minimum Impact or Tread Lightly are terms depicting a philosophy of wilderness travel and resource protection.

• Practicing a LEAVE NO TRACE ethic is very simple: make it hard for others to see or hear you.

• Scatter manure 200' from public pastures to aid decomposition, discourage flies and as a courtesy to others.

• Do not tie horses to trees. Hitching rails are available at all public pastures except Manter Meadow where picket pins and picket lines are recommended.

• In early spring and late fall you may be required to bring your own feed. Before traveling to one of the public pastures, you are encouraged to check with Mike Mendoza, Recreation Officer, at (760) 376-3781 ext. 648, or the Recreation Shop at Lake Isabella, (760) 379-5646, for site specific conditions and detailed information.

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SAFETY TIPS

• Bring drinking water to a rolling boil for 5 minutes before using. The only exception is Beach Meadow where potable water is provided.

• All public pastures are in fire safe areas and campfire permits are required for gas lanterns, stoves, BBQ's and campfires. Keep fires small and leave them DEAD OUT by mixing ashes with water until you sense no heat when placing the back of your hand just above the wet ashes. DO NOT bury the fire under dirt. It can smoulder for hours and then escape.

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Public Pasture Facilities & Information

| Cannell Meadow | Big Meadow West | Big Meadow North | Manter Meadow |
| Paloma Meadow | Beach Meadow |

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