Directions from the South

If you are coming from the south heading north on Hwy 99 you can cut off approximately one hour by turning off at Kingsburg approximately 20 miles north of Visalia. When you cross the Kings River the next exit (approximately one mile) will have a sign that reads "Fresno County Lakes", the exit is Mendocino Ave.

• Turn right and follow Mendocino through the town of Kingsburg through a few stop signs. Mendocino will go through the western edge of the town of Parlier and end at a stop sign at Adams Ave.

• Turn left and go to the next stop sign less than one mile to Academy Ave.

• Turn right on Academy. Academy will go through the town of Sanger. Continue on Academy across Hwy 180 on through a few stop signs until the road ends at Hwy 168 (Tollhouse Road).

• Turn right and follow the signs up Hwy 168 to Prather, approximately 15 miles. Prather is a good rest stop. There is a Chevron station, Canyon Fork Super Market, Longs Drug Store, Ace Hardware, Velasco's (an excellent Mexican food restaurant), a Foster Freeze drive in and Bill's Pizza Factory (a great place for a pizza).

Alternately, you can Take Hwy 99 to Hwy 41 North (Yosemite exit).

• After just a couple of miles, you will see a sign that reads "Hwy 180 Kings Canyon". Take that exit.
• Within a mile you will see the sign for "Hwy 168 Huntington Lake". Take this exit all the way to Prather.

Continuing from Prather:

• From Prather, take Hwy 168 to the next stop sign.

• Turn left and head up the infamous "4-lane" for approximately eight miles. Then 168 narrows down again. You will go by Cressman's Store and Texaco Gas Station. This will be the cheapest place to buy gas after you leave the valley.

• Continue up Hwy 168 approximately six miles to Shaver Lake, which has several stores and shops (also a nice rest stop).

• Continue up Hwy 168 20 miles and you will pass Sierra Summit Ski Resort. As you come into Huntington Lake you will see the sign to Edison Lake (20 miles after crossing Rancheria Creek). Huntington Lake is the last chance for gas or diesel.

• Turn right towards Edison Lake (on the Kaiser Pass road) and head up. The road is a good two lane road for approximately six miles.

• Suddenly, every thing changes. This is the point you will realize why we have a T-Shirt made in honor of a road. The road is safe but can be intimidating. At this point don't be in a hurry. Remember you are on vacation and this is not a timed event. The road narrows to one lane and becomes very winding. After a couple of miles you will go over Kaiser Pass, 9128' elevation.

• Continue and after a few miles you will see the back country and the start of the San Joaquin drainage which appears much like Yosemite, but without the cars, traffic, or people. Continue on past a little lake called Portal Forebay. Soon you will pass the US Forest Service High Sierra Station. This is another good rest stop with restroom facilities. Approximately one more mile you will come to a Y in the road. The right fork goes to Florence Lake and the left goes to Mono Hot Springs and Edison Lake.

• You will continue going down hill to the left and cross the San Joaquin River to Mono Hot Springs 6500'. Now you will be heading up hill again through some steep and winding turns. After a couple of miles it will level off and you will be through the tough part.

• Continue on to Edison Lake and turn left at the sign at the dam. You will see a sign that says "Vermilion Valley Resort™ 2 miles". Cross the dam and look to your left and you can make out and see the road, and from whence came you. Follow the signs to the Resort and come on in. We'll have a cold one ready for you.