Kern Plateau (Southern Sierras)

[ec_duz_it]

I just spoke on the phone with the Ranger.  She said the road is 100% closed.  She also said that the shuttle companies should not be running shuttles yet and they are looking into that.  Bottom line is that there should be no cars on the road this coming weekend 

[ec_duz_it]

Wow, what a trip!  I did not get to do the full 125 miles.  I got a sidewall flat at mile #9 on my brand new tubeless tires and I only brought one extra tube. Lesson learned! I did not want to go too far in case I sidewalled my front tire and I needed to hike out.  Plus the going was much slower than I expected (snow, downed trees, walk-a-bike, etc.)   I will do a full write up when I have the time, but here are a few photos from my adventure.

[ec_duz_it]

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

[Rocknroll]

Nice write up. This trip is on my list. It's a great area to explore; and, after a trip like that you got The Pizza Barn.

[abhemet]

the blog for the 8 ball seems to be down. have you perfected the route yet?

[ec_duz_it]

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. 

[abhemet]

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 would be cool thanks for the update.

[ec_duz_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.....

[ec_duz_it]

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

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

[evdog]

Thanks Erin! 

We are probably going to head up there for Labor day weekend again.  I want to complete the Siretta peak loop we had to bail on last time.

Its interesting you ran the route down the Pacific Crest Trail from points 113 to 115!  (or more interesting why they have that road labelled as such!) 

[ec_duz_it]

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.    

[AZTtripper]

Yeah, google maps is funny that way, at one point they had trails that I worked for the county on labeled with the goofy names that I made up during construction. Not the actual names that the county assigned to the trail. Neat for me but not much use if you looked at google and then went out and saw the counties signs. 

[evdog]

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

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

A bit late getting to it, but here is my writeup for Labor Day and also the one for Memorial Day (made it a Kernville long weekend tri-fecta this year).   I'd like to get up there once more this fall to check out some lower elevation stuff that I have not done before. 

Memorial Day - http://sdmba.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=2624
Labor Day - http://sdmba.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=2638

Descending Cedar Canyon is the main reason I would want to try riding up Cannell plunge.  It would get the worst climb out of the way immediately and I think Cedar would work well for a bikepack descent.  There are some steep parts but nothing is too gnarly.  It would then be possible to loop over to Sequioa Natl Monument by Johnsondale and then down Tobias to Whiskey Flat.  Or any number of other options.  I'd also like to try a point to point from 395 up and over Kern Plateau to Camp Nelson area then along Greenhorns and finally south of the highway to Bakersfield. 

[ec_duz_it]

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. 

[ec_duz_it]

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.

[evdog]

Wow, great find.  Plenty of those trails I have not been on yet.  Interesting to see how much work they actually did or if they just cleared downed trees.  Anything up there not open to motos can probably use a lot more traffic! 

[ec_duz_it]

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.  

[ec_duz_it]

I've made a few more trips to this area in the last two years, and I feel like this point to point route from Kennedy Meadows to Camp Nelson (simply called "Kennedy to Nelson") highlights all the good trails and unique sights of this area.  I have a loop route too, which I will post here soon, but this point to point is definitely better.

Here is the map, complete with description, photos, and waypoints!   The only parts I have not ridden yet are miles 8-16 and miles 170-191, but judging by the map, these sections should be mostly rideable. I would appreciate any info on those sections if you have ridden them.    

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17787528

I am going to give this ride a go in May of 2017. I will probably give myself 4 days to do it at a more mellow pace.  Who else is interested???  

[evdog]

Sounds like a cool route Erin.  I'll take a look at it when I get home.  I had originally wanted to put together a route that crosses the sierras and probably uses a bunch of the same trails.  Because of the logistics I've been thinking lately a loop might be better.  Over Labor Day I went up and did some riding and exploring in the Piutes south of Lake Isabella.  There isn't much great singletrack but it is possible to connect mostly on dirt from Kennedy Meadows south to Piutes and then over to Lake Isabella and/or Keyesville.  Or go up the road and drop Mill or Remington and then pick up Kern canyon trail.  Maybe that's what you had in mind for the loop.  Interested to see what it looks like!

[ec_duz_it]

Evedog, your loop idea sounds more interesting than the loop I had in mind. I havent yet explored the area you are referring to. As you know, the routing possibilities here are endless! 

Just fyi, 3 trails that are in terrible shape right now are lower tobias, bitter creek, and summit trail. These should all be avoided until they see some serious maintenance. Bitter Creek will probably always be bad. It is just too sandy and sloppy.