Kennedy Meadows General Store — Local services in Ridgecrest

What a great accident to find! I stopped in the "General Store" for some "General" information. What I found was a great small group of people. They were very helpful. Unfortunately due to the great government of California shutting down the parks the day before I got there, I was only able to stay one night. I definitely plan on returning for another visit. I will say if you are looking for a place to drink, smoke and get roudy... This isn't the place for you. They enjoy their peace and quiet and have a set of rules in place for a reason. The outdoor movie with the sunset in the background was something I wasn't expecting and was the best way to watch a movie. The outdoor shower is great. Under the stars, sunset, sunrise.. I'd take this over any I've had in a while. It was relaxing and stress releasing for sure. If you happen to run across this review, keep it to yourself. It's a gem best kept from being plundered by the undesirables. I'm really praying for everyone there and hope and look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

One warning. There is no cell phone service, there is however a WORKING PAYPHONE!!! They do have wifi (if you want it, it's pay wifi) I just enjoyed being off the grid.

Thanks again for the great...

Best base camp in So Cal.... that we know of so far lol - with the variety of available nearby or further camp sites, trails, etc. this is a great location at a good elevation. So you drive up & wanna one day hike with a cool location and few people(?) or a 6 week trip.... or anything in between - or beyond - the choice is yours. This is our stepping off point from Orange County & thankfully KM has many of the things we prefer in one location - let alone the land line and food supplies help us tenderfoots feel a little more at ease without our cell phone and gps niceities. Here we can explore remote areas and then go further as our skills and local knowledge improves. This may not be an Everest base camp but to us we are no where near looking for challenge - just a fun learning experience. This is also one of the few places close to home where we get that kinda outpost ghost town feeling. Maybe more so from us being there in the off season. In closing I highly recommend using google earth to look around as well as perusing the available videos found online. This is truly a special place and worthy of the time and effort to explore. If this review helped you please give me a thumbs...

After a photo opt at this previously historic general store, SKIP the new owners having nothing working for PCT hikers and the over priced anything there....and go 3 miles South to Grumpy Bears to hanging out and enjoy the vibe of your PCT mile stone with other hikers there.

Had a Twilight Zone occurrence with the general store owner who, after swapping bar stories was apparently scared and called the sheriff. I was pulled aside as I was leaving for my tent, frisked like a criminal, told to stay in the arms out - feet spread position while a background check was run, my driver's licence pulled and run and then was told I was trespassing and ordered to pack up and leave immediately....(with a spring snowstorm hrs away) Other patrons as well as the owners wife appologized for his actions and told me they didn't know why he did such a thing. He told me he had called the sheriff on other hikers in weeks preceding. Be careful of...