Driving instructions to Balch Camp
Updated: 11:34 AM 1/14/2023
Driving Direction from the corner of Academy and Belmont to
Balch Camp our Base camp.
Here you are East Bound on Belmont at Academy.
From the Corner of Academy and Belmont to the intersection at
Piedra is 12.0 Miles
From the Corner of Academy and Belmont to the intersection at
Pine Flat Road is 13.0
From the Corner of Academy and Belmont to the intersection at
Sunnyslope Road is 16.8 miles, please follow the road to the
Left.
From the Corner of Academy and Belmont to the intersection at
Maxson Road Cutoff is 25.8, do not turn here continue on
striaght
From the Corner of Academy and Belmont to the intersection at
Dinkey-Trimmer Road 33.7 miles Go Right Across this
Bridge
From the Corner of Academy and Belmont to the intersection at
Bailey Bridge is 44.2 Miles Go Left across this
bridge
From the Corner of Academy and Belmont to this sign accross
Bailey Bridge is 44.2 miles turn left and you're almost
home!
From the Corner of Academy and Belmont to this sign 47.4
miles turn left here!
From the Corner of Academy and Belmont to this sign 47.4
miles turn left here!
Watch for our Trail Crew Signs -- you have
arrived!
Directions From Fresno
From FRESNO: Drive to the intersection on Belmont & Academy and follow
the mileage log below:
From North of Fresno: drive south on 99 to the 180 off-ramp, take 180 east
to its end at Chestnut Ave. Turn right on Chestnut, get into the far left
lane immediately, and then turn left on Belmont. Proceed east on Belmont
to Academy Ave, and then follow the mileage log below.
From South of Fresno: drive north on 99 to the Manning Ave exit, take the
off-ramp, then turn right to go east on Manning. Drive east for 2.8 miles
to McCall Ave; turn left. Go north on McCall Ave for 10 miles to Belmont,
and then turn right. Go east on Belmont 3 miles to Academy Ave and follow
the mileage log below.
From Clovis or anywhere else east of Fresno: drive to the intersection of
Belmont and Academy, and then follow the mileage log below:
MILEAGE LOG:
Waypoint Mileage Description
- 00.0mi Belmont & Academy
- 12.0 mi Side road to Piedra Park. Go STRAIGHT
- 13.0 mi Intersect Pine Flat Road. Go STRAIGHT
- 16.8 mi Intersect Sunnyslope Rd. Bear LEFT
- 25.8 mi Trimmer and intersection of Maxson Rd. Bear RIGHT
- 33.7 mi Intersect Dinkey-Trimmer Road. Turn RIGHT and cross bridge
- 42.5 mi Kirch Flat campground on your right--Restrooms here
- 42.9 mi Bridge over Kings River. Our road turns left and narrows
- 44.2 mi Turn left and cross Bailey Bridge (one lane-wood deck with steel plate)
- 44.2 mi After bridge, turn LEFT, road narrows again
- 47.4 mi Turn LEFT and cross another bridge, now entering Balch Camp
The wildflowers were magnificent!!!! on this drive today, Feb 19. There
will still be flowers in March, bring books, bring cameras.
There is poison oak in the area of the gardens. Bring Technu or whatever.
This road is mostly 2-lane, windy and up-and-down. The drive takes a
while, but it is pleasant and scenic. The road becomes basically one-lane
at mile 42.9, and it also becomes rougher.
A CAUTIONARY NOTE TO THOSE WHO WILL BE DRIVING CARPOOLS TO WORK
SITES ABOVE BALCH CAMP: The road above Balch Camp is steep and
narrow, one-lane with turnouts, much like the road to Edison and Florence
Lakes. However, there is one brief stretch, mile 49.3 to mile 50, which is
more narrow and precipitous than anything Kaiser Pass Road has to offer.
This road is not for the faint-hearted.
There IS Poison Oak along the roadside at the access
points to the first two worksites. The crewmembers are very likely to
brush against the plants along the access paths and at the sites, bringing
toxic oils back to vehicles on their clothing
Sample pictures of the clean up work, here we will need to
dismantle this pond!
This is what a camp they would live in looks like!
Drip line that will need to be collected and ready for being
air lifted out
Trash that will need to be collected and air lifted
out!
Shovel found at one site, we also found a pick
axe
Water Cans we will find
The road above Balch Camp is steep and narrow, one-lane with
turnouts, much like the road to Edison and Florence Lakes. However,
there is one brief stretch, mile 49.3 to mile 50, which is more
narrow and precipitous than anything Kaiser Pass Road has to offer.
This road is not for the faint-hearted. Car pooling will be
mandatory
The following Pictures will give you a idea of the country
you will be working in!
This is Patterson Bluffs
What a view see the snow above
It gets steep!
This is one of the trails to a garden locations, the paths is
some what marked, but it could take 30 - 60 minutes to travel 1/4
mile.
Copyright 2002-2005
High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew
132 E. Nees #107
Fresno, CA 93711
1-800-468-8348
1-559-435-2626
Fax 1-559-435-7620