Arnold Meadows

[TOT]

Where exactly is Arnold Meadows? How does one get there? About how long of a drive from Oakhurst?

Any campgrounds and/or biffys/pottys to stop at?

I might have been there once years ago, but don't remember.

[Parvo Pup]

Arnold Meadows is a gated seasonal community of about 170 one acre lots in the high country.

If you are familiar with the Sierra Vista Scenic Bypass or Minarets Road - then you know the route to Mammoth Pool. At that turnoff - continue on up Minarets Road about another 3-4 miles to the Forest Service's Minarets Workstation. A left past the station puts you on a dirt road towards Lower Chiquito Campground. The road splits after a mile - Arnold Meadows is down the left fork.

Total travel time from Oakhurst is about 90 minutes. If Beasore Road is open - that way only takes about 50 minutes.

However, the area is fenced and gated - sign at the main gate calls the area "High Sierra Meadows". The area is not open to the general public as it is a private community. You can camp at the public grounds at either Lower Chiquito or continue up Minarets Road to Clover Meadows Campground - about another 13 miles.

My wife and I stumbled across the place 4 years ago and ended up buying a lot with septic already in place. The "community" has it's own water system, propane and phones. You are on your own for septic and power - most people RV it or have little solar powered cabins - kind of like Beasore.

According to old timers - this area was developed in the late 60's/early 70's as a speculation subdivision that would have provided vacation homes for a ski resort that Disney hoped to build in the area. The ski resort idea fell through and the lots sat for a number of years.

However, in the past 2-3 years - a lot of people have been buying into the place with hopes of building a cabin or family campsite. The owners are about equally split between Madera / Fresno county residents and retired teachers from LA.

One of the owners has a website about the place - http://www.highsierrameadows.homestead.com/Contents.html

If you interested in buying - Mark Grogan of Century 21 Ditton Realty out of North Fork handles that area.

My plans are to build a little civilized cabin this summer as I am too damn old to keep sleeping in a tent. My hopes are to be able to live there during the summer and fall months before being chased out by the snows. I would love to live there full time if Global Warming ever comes true and I don't have to worry about snow.http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/stretch.gif

[TOT]

Thank you for the reply and the information http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gif http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/bow.gif

My dad did a bit of work for one of the residents up there, which is how i heard of it.

[concerned]

Is that anywhere near Jones Store? Assuming the store still exists.

[MtnBreeze]

Jones Store still exists but it is at Beasore Meadows http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/stretch.gif

[TOT]

Finally went there, tho i've been told i also went up when i was a wee youngin'.

What an interesting place! Beautiful!