Local Ridgecrest Hikes and Climbs

Local Peaks

Jenkins... Can best be climbed from Indian Wells Canyon, following old mining roads and bushwhacking to the PCT, then following the trail a short distance to a rock strewn chute that leads to the summit. Owens... There is a trail from the end of the road in Indian Wells Canyon to the summit. Spanish Needles... Since the B.L.M. shut off vehicle access to Sand Canyon the easiest approach is from Lamont Meadows on the west side. Sawtooth... The easiest climb is from Chimney Creek Campground/ Lamont Meadows area on the west side of the ridge, following the PCT to the head of No Name Canyon then bushwhacking to the summit.

Local Canyons

Indian Wells... One of the few vehicle access roads the B.L.M. hasn't closed off yet. It affords a head start into the Owens Peak Wilderness. The road used to go farther and have more spurs. There are also two pictograph sites in the canyon. Short...Is just that, short. You can hike to the back of the canyon in two hours. Gives access to Grapevine Canyon above the closure due to the ranch. Also you can cross back over to Indian Wells near a pictograph site. Grapevine... There is a ranch near the mouth of the canyon which blocks off access from that direction. Best reached from the end of Short Canyon or crossing the ridge from Sand Canyon. Sand... Leads to the east face of Spanish Needles. No Name... Nine Mile... A paved road up the canyon provides access to Chimney Peak, Long Valley, Kennedy Meadows, Dome Lands, the South Fork of the Kern River, and on up to Black Rock where you can either continue paved back down to the Kern River above Kernville or take a Jeep trail up to Monache Meadows on the west side of Olancha Peak.

Dome Lands Wilderness/Sequoia National Forest Area

Chimney Peak... At the top of the paved road up Nine Mile Canyon is the Chimney Peak area. From there a dirt road goes down the western side of the local peaks to Rte 178 on the west side of Walker Pass. This road provides access to Chimney Creek Campground, Lamont Meadows and the western side of Sawtooth, Lamont Peak, Lamont Pinnacles, and Spanish Needles. Long Valley... Kennedy Meadows... Dome Lands...Got burnt up pretty good by the Manter fire in 2000, but still has mighty fine rock. Monache Meadows...

PCT.... The Pacific Crest Trail can be picked up easily by road at Walker Pass (~5000') on SR 178 to Lake Isabella and Bakersfield, near the Chimney Peak area or Kennedy Meadows by going up Nine Mile Canyon. (It can also be accessed by the jeep trail to Monache meadows from Black Rock above Kennedy Meadows or by various other point by hiking up from US 395 starting at Haiwee Pass near Olancha.

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