The Kennedy Lake area is a popular early season backpacking spot. It’s low elevation makes it a hole in the snow map, with great fishing and bridges for all major creek crossings. Later in the year mosquitoes, cows, and horses all conspire to spoil the spot. But during late April & May, the area is in peak condition. We saw about 30 people over two days, but only the areas around Kennedy Lake & the trailhead felt crowded. Our bug repellent remained in our bag.
The lady and I hiked out on the Sunday of Memorial Day. We’d see other hikers about once every 3 miles or so. We picked a campsite right by Kennedy Creek, so we could get a faster start into Soda Canyon the following morning. It turned out to be the best campsite in the area, with the perfect blend of scenery and solitude.
I tried to fish. Apparently I don’t know how to tie a clinch knot, and after losing two spinning lures to failed knots, I decided to let the fish win.
We came up just short of bagging Kennedy Peak. We picked an overly conservative route up the ridge to avoid steep snow, and we hit our turn around time just short of the summit. We could’ve pushed it, but we had beers on ice calling us back to the car. Route notes: There’s probably not a good route up the eastern wall of Soda Canyon. You’re either bushwhacking or climbing up crumbling kitty litter. Crossing Kennedy Creek was a piece of cake, even in May, as long as you cross east of the creek draining Soda Canyon (where the trail to Soda Canyon crosses it on the map). Topo map of the area found here. Relive our route here.
Backyard Sam 
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