Went out to the Kernville area last weekend with two friends and we did this loop below.  We rode at a mellow leisurely pace and started Friday afternoon at 4:30 just before sunset, camped out, and finished around sunset on Saturday evening.  This loop could also be done in just one day.  It is prime time right now for the Keysville Trail, Kern Canyon Trail, Badger Gap, etc. We made it up to about 6,200 feet and went down Just Outstanding Trail.  There was about 8" of snow at 6,000 feet. Barely rideable at that elevation with normal size tires.  It is not rideable right now without a fatbike once you get above 6,500 feet.  

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11385786

Here are waypoints for water sources. We never really had any water problems: https://www.hightail.com/download/ZWJVdFdaQk50QTNFdzhUQw

Overall, almost 100% rideable loop and very enjoyable riding. The portion of Just Outstanding Trail that we did was well... Just Outstanding! The first 31 miles are all flowy singletrack. The very last few miles of the loop down Dutch Flat Trail were sketchy as it was getting dark for us.  That trail is really rutted and steep going downhill.  Maybe an alternate way down to Lake Isabella would be better.  

Hey Dave

1) It is already dumping snow in the northern Sierras. It seems like the weather pattern is different than the last 2 years.  You just won't know until about a week before.  You could skip the Mt. Pinos section which is the highest section at the beginning and just start in Pine Mountain Club instead.

2) The cheapest way would be get a bus from LAX to Santa Clarita, then an Uber cab from there.  Fastest way would just get an Uber straight from LAX.  Since the route ends in Santa Barbara, transportation back to wherever you want to go is very accessible via the local train station or airport.  

3) Cue sheets are posted from last year at tourdelospadres.weebly.com/ride--route-info for planning purposes. This explains some of the cool stops along the way and water sources.  The route might change a little for 2016.  

4) If you end up going I might join you for a portion of the route.

I have been meaning to do this one for many years now, but excuses and life in general keep getting in the way. I figure if I say I am in now, that I will probably show up in 2016.  So I am in. I will probably go the opposite way of everyone else though so I can run into more folks along the way rather than just riding the the back of the pack. Looking forward to it.  Training starts this weekend for me!  

I just saw this on facebook.  Even more reason to get out there before winter hits:

Ready for some new rides? Several trails were just reopened and cleared!
Near the Cannell Trail: the Upper Dry Lake Trail, Bartolas, Little Cannell Trail, Pine Flat Trail and other sections are now completely passable! These will create some adventuresome loops and/or great bike-packing options to the southern Kern Plateau.
Popular trails such as Freeman Creek, Camp Nelson, Bear Creek, Summit Trail, Clicks Creek Trail were all extensively worked on this summer with grant money from High Sierra Trail Crew and United Trail Maintainers of California.
Bitter Creek Trail was completely restored near Kennedy Meadows. Has anyone ridden this yet?
Earlier this summer, the ride from Blackrock Moutain Trail to Fish Creek Trail/Smith/Packsaddle were all completely cleared as well. Beach Ridge, Trout Creek Trail, and several others were also improved in the area. Some really good riding options up there now.
See more trails cleared:
https://www.facebook.com/KernRiverSierra/photos/a.157386684356311.36509.131300196964960/905953206166318/?type=3&theater
Photos taken on Pine Flat Trail above the Plunge.

Great pictures Evan.  I would like to get out there again this year before winter comes. I just rode the Tahoe Rim, so I am finally in decent shape again. Thinking mid/early November perhaps. Lets me up if it works out. 

Big Congrats to all the finishers!  Looks like Art De Goede is going to finish in about 45 minutes!

I bet Art De Goede will for sure finish. He is a tough dude. The only two potential finishers for the 500 came from sea level. I guess they have had plenty of time to acclimatize by now.

It looks like a great route, I wish I was riding it right now. Hopefully the smoke from the rough fire does not blow northeast.

Yeah that section of Cannell Trail is definitely not the PCT.  Google Maps is just wrong. Have fun this weekend if you head back there.    

Evan, I ran across your recent post. Thanks for sharing, good stuff!

http://sdmba.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=2630

Props to Roland Sturm, going westbound.  He already bagged Mt. Elbert yesterday and now he is on his way to his 2nd 14,000' summit.  I love it. 

Here is the beta route: 

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9146396

If you go to this area, you should buy the map of the area.  The place is laced with tons of roads and singletrack and its easy to get lost.  And you might want to take a short cut or a detour. 

"For sure" water is:
Kern River
Bonita Creek (on Beach Trail)
Fish Creek
Trout Creek
Powell Meadow

Let me know when you are planning on going.  Can get you some waypoints too.  Just really busy with work this week.....

The TDLP website has moved:  Here it is:  http://tourdelospadres.weebly.com/blog.html

The route is almost there.  If you are thinking of heading out there, I can give you some GPX files and waypoints. 

That water tank was a photo from last year.  I did not make it that far this year:)  It was on route as far as I could remember.  Probably about 15 miles after Harolds Place after the hard bumpy volcanic road climb.  I think it is one of the waypoints. 

Great write ups Evan and Aaron. 

Now this is going to make Aaron cringe and wish he had made a movie this year instead of a write up!   Its very clear that if make any more sad attempts at a movie, I should probably use a go pro and not my phone 

https://youtu.be/ZHVy-0QVgso

To all- I did use some photos posted here for this movie.  I left all credits for the out of the video, but I am more than happy to add them into the video if anyone wants credit for their images used in this movie. 

Camping at Strawberry Point was a definite highlight for me. The only thing I did better this year was picking good campsites. Good times riding and camping with Brad and Michael.

Congrats to Evan for just finishing!  Good to see one California sea dweller made it to the finish :-)

Congratulations to all the finishers This is probably the most challenging 200 miles in bikepacking.

Go ahead and mark me as a scratch. I just couldn't pull it off this year.

Fyi, Brad called it quits before the climb up to Bryce Woodlands and the Pangusunt.

Micheal.... I mean Robotfury.  Read above.  Weather report looks perfect.  I was actually hoping for slight chance of Thunderstorms to keep things interesting, but it looks like nothing but sunshine.  If anything, it might be a little toasty at the lower elevations.  I am not going to bring much in terms of cold weather gear.  Just a light jacket.    Hows your cold?  Feeling better today?  

I sprained my wrist last weekend on stupid downhill obstacle that I though I could make   but....  I am still in, it should heal by Friday I would think.  Leaving so cal by around noon, so should get to camp by 7 or 8 with some beers in the cooler.  I am good with any starting time.  I would probably need to start at 5 am to make it to the gas station before closing. 

I finally got around to doing a write up with photos from my ride back in April.  Right now would be a still be a great time to get out there before the trails get too tracked over by the moto bikes.  If anyone gets out there, I would love to compare notes.  

http://tourdelospadres.weebly.com/blog.html