Advice on best driving route needed

[BDB]

I am heading from Berkeley to the camp ground at Upper Blue lake just East of the Mokulmne Wilderness. Has anyone done this approximate route enough to tell me the best way to get there? Looks like I can go up either #4 or #88 to get there.

Thanks folks!

[muskeg]

I would go up 88. You can even take several routes to get to the 88. Turn at Fairfield and head out 12 thru Lodi to the 88 connection. Then either over to 16 or on 49 to Plymouth. Turn at Plymouth and go up to and thru Fiddletown to 88 or take the River Pines turn and up to 88 via the Omo Ranch way. All enjoyable ways with things to see and do.

Back in the day ... when I was young we would hike into the creek between the lakes (usually around july 4th), the road would usually still be closed by snow, and catch large Cuts. We would float helgramites down the creek as the water turned murkey from the snow melt during mid day. We also hiked up to the creek at the head of the upper lake (where the upper campground is now) and do the same thing. Man those were some big Cuts like over 30 inches long. It was always a long pack out.

Spenty a lot of time in that country as a kid. My family logged up around there in the 40's and 50's.

[BDB]

Thanks for the info Muskeg!!!!! Also since I wasn't clear, I am looking for the shortest driving time route. I will be hauling butt to get there with sunset looming. My wife is not much for hiking in the dark in places she doesn't know so every minute counts getting there if ya know what I mean. It would be nice to hike in and pitch camp before it was dark.

[Litch]

Hwy 88 is the best choice. You would go way out of your way by taking Hwy 4. The routes suggested muskeg are very enjoyable. The weather in the Sierra right now can't be beat, have fun!!

[BDB]

OK, sounds good.

Muskeg: The directions you gave talk about going on 12 and then taking either the 16 or 49 to plymouth and up through fiddletown to 88. The map I was just looking at shows 88 connecting up with 12 just after Lodi and then peeling off to the left just past Clements. Is there a reason not to take this way? Just curious.

[muskeg]

The fastest way would be to stay on the 88 past Lodi / Clements. Then when you come to Jackson (sutter) Hill go staright ahead (ridge road) to hook up with the 88 again, instead of going down the hill through Jackson.

Probably not much time difference there though.

Also at Lodi don't saty on 12 all the way. On the far side of town, as you cross old 99, just go straight (kettleman), that country road will cross 88 in a few miles. Then left on 88.

Is the upper campground hike in? How far?

When we used to go in it was several small stream fjords (once washed down stream in my volks beetle) and the only campground was at the lower lake. It was a rough dirt logging type road. Past the upper lake it turned real rough.

[muskeg]

The Fiddletown or Omo Ranch routes are a little longer (time wise). But very interesting and nice country if you haven't been that way. Lots of wine (and tasting) in the Shannandoah now a days.

[Quacker Wacker]

I grew up in Pioneer, which is right on Hwy 88. For the simplest, probably quickest way:

Go out thru Tracy, north on I5, in downtown Stockton you take Hwy 4 East, which takes you across town to Hwy 99 and head North. Very quickly you will exit Hwy 88 East(Waterloo Rd). Simply stay on Hwy 88 all the way through Jackson up past Kirkwood over Carson Pass down into Hope Valley where you will turn on Blue Lakes Rd.(Beware that to stay on Hwy88 you will take 2 rights, to stay on Hwy 88, but they are easy to catch if you pay attention)

If you have a preferred way to get from Oakland to the Stockton/Lodi area then just make sure you end up on Hwy 99(not 5) and get off on the Hwy 88(waterloo exit) There are a million ways to cut off a few miles but I'd keep it simple.

Good luck!

[muskeg]

There you go ..... Quacker has another good route ..... I just always traveled the hwy 12 route. More country and you don't have to do Stockton.

[SierraExplorer]

All great ways- The Waterloo route is a ways off from his route though. + it would be a SIN ! to drive by the Waterloo Inn and not stop off for some of their babyback ribs and pesto pasta- Or how about the freash steamers.

If you take 12 through-- Lodi at the end of town -- you will need to get on hwy-99 north for about one mile starting at the Mcdonalds and taking the next exit continuing East till 12 runs into 88. Then go through Lockford and about 1.3 miles past the A & W on your left will be the 88 jog that heads to Jackson. Beware- that whole section is a speed trap !!

You can shave 25-35 minuets off your time and not have to go through any towns and speed traps.

Take 12 to I-5 North. About up I-5 miles up is Peltier Rd. Tuen off and head East and your 1st. Stop Sign will be Lower Sac. Rd. Go past that and about another 10 miles will be another be a stop sign ELIOT Rd. Turn Left and you will pass 3 more stops signs. (Janhart and another) Your 3ard one will be. LIBERTY ROAD. Turn Right and that will put you out on Hwy 88 at Lake Hogan- About 13 miles from Jackson- No city traffic and lights--- Nada- Just great open country.

Two ways to get into Blue Lakes- Take the Hope Valley road- newly paved and about 16 miles in off of 88. Or to save some time (advisable 1st time driven while still sun-up. When you come down the Carson Pass- On your right will be Red Lake Rd. (East end of Red Lake) Take this up and over the Forrestdale Divide and It will spit you out right at the Upper Blue Lakes campground. (may need to use 4wd)

Best Wishes Bro.

[BDB]

Thanks for all the responses guys, much appreciated!!!!!

Muskeg: I don't know the area at all, I just need to get to the camp ground at the lower end of the lake and we hike from there to a super secret (well OK not really) spot about 5 miles in.

Should be a fun trip and hopefully a few trout on the hook. More importantly, maybe a buck on the end of an arrow

[SierraExplorer]

BDB- forgot to mention. Not sure if you are stopping at a seedy bar on the way down.

But if you want to take home THE BEST take and bake pizza- right when 88 hits Jackson Tunr Right (heading home) and 25' pull into "My Fathers Place" Take and bake Pizza.

AMAZING PIZZA!! and cheap. They have about 5 pounds of stuff on the Combo and the crust turns out like a Chicago cracker every time. --Never able to find another pizza like that anywhere and I have to bring 2 home religously.

[soupr]

They way I go up towards the Kirkwood area and I think it is the straightest and fastest route would be go up US 50 to Sly Park turn left onto Mormon Immigrant Trail and it drops you off just above Silver Lake. For being a mountain road Mormon Immigrant Trail is relatively straight following a ridge all the way up the mountain.

[Arrowslinger]

I second the Mo' trail.....plus, cold beer for ya on your way thru I was up Caples lake this past weekend, the weather is great and mosquitos aren't too bad.

[muskeg]

good luck, BDB, any way you decide to go ...... I was going to mention the speed limits in Clements and Lockford like SE did.

There is some good hunting in that country I'm sure. I hiked alot up there as a kid. Spent alot of nights up on Round Top and Mokelumne Peak. We always had family camp deer hunts on the opener at Snyders Cow Camp we called it. It would be located across from the now Woods Lake turn off. Lots of Ca, OK and Tx relatives. Lots a kids.

One year (in the mid 50"s) my uncle Burnice took the farthest up stand in the canyon. We all went in and set up before dark. Just after light I hear bang, bang, bang (like 7 shots). Soon my Dad came along and got me. "lets go see what Burnice got". There scattered up the trail was 7 bucks. One buck for every shot !!!! I was an impressed little kid. Lot'sa taggen, gutten, packen and skinnen.

My uncle took some big Bear out of that country as well.

And some big timber.

[Backcountry]

That's a great picture Muskeg!

I've got timbermen in my family too (if log truck drivers count). Most folks that live in CA today don't even know that wood for their houses comes from trees (you mean it just doesn't magically appear at Home Depot?).

Having logging in your blood is something to be real proud and thankful for! This industry's days are numbered in CA.

Backcountry