JAWBONE CANYON TO LAKE ISABELLA

[WW_RANGER_X]

Would like to look into Jawbone to Lake Isabella. Possibly early May? Its going to depend on the weather and the condition of the "trail" at the time. I know that area has been getting hammered with rain and snow all year. If it doesn't work out in May, maybe try it in early fall. Anyone ever run it? Its rated easy (3/10), 50ish miles long with a 5 hour completion time (according to onX) and an elevation change from 2500 ft. to over 8000 ft.

Camp Friday night could be in a couple places. Either in Jawbone canyon OHV area right where the trail starts, or start further east and camp around Cal City, which would add a few more dirt miles, time and fun. Hit trail Saturday AM and make it to Lake Isabella by Saturday afternoon/evening. From there we could plan a few different options. Group dinner at a local restaurant? Find fast food, eat and part ways? Find a place to camp? What I'd like to do is find a dry camp ground somewhere up there to stay Saturday night till Sunday morning, then head home.

This would be a chill cruise with beer stops along the way. Terrain is pretty mild compared to what we are used to from what I've been reading. I'd be taking my Raptor with most likely my wife and 5 year old son.

Thoughts?

 

[dwphoto]

Would like to look into Jawbone to Lake Isabella. Possibly early May? Its going to depend on the weather and the condition of the "trail" at the time. I know that area has been getting hammered with rain and snow all year. If it doesn't work out in May, maybe try it in early fall. Anyone ever run it? Its rated easy (3/10), 50ish miles long with a 5 hour completion time (according to onX) and an elevation change from 2500 ft. to over 8000 ft.

Camp Friday night could be in a couple places. Either in Jawbone canyon OHV area right where the trail starts, or start further east and camp around Cal City, which would add a few more dirt miles, time and fun. Hit trail Saturday AM and make it to Lake Isabella by Saturday afternoon/evening. From there we could plan a few different options. Group dinner at a local restaurant? Find fast food, eat and part ways? Find a place to camp? What I'd like to do is find a dry camp ground somewhere up there to stay Saturday night till Sunday morning, then head home.

This would be a chill cruise with beer stops along the way. Terrain is pretty mild compared to what we are used to from what I've been reading. I'd be taking my Raptor with most likely my wife and 5 year old son.

Thoughts?

deff interested

Kern River Brewery has great food

I know @Adventure Endeavor has done this going up to Kernville.

 

[Motiracer38]

I ran from Barstow to Randsburg to Inyokern up to a mine behind Indian Wells, then Bird Springs Cyn rd into Weldon in the snow once. It was fun, would do again.

 

[WW_RANGER_X]

That’s one hell of a mission! This one, not so much haha

 

[the bodj]

Are you going up through piute mountain or going around?

 

[WW_RANGER_X]

Are you going up through piute mountain or going around?

The map shows the trail starts just west of Jawbone canyon OHV area on Jawbone Canyon Rd, which then intersects with Piute Mtn rd and then eventually turns into Saddle Springs Which leads you into town. So I think the route I have mapped goes through Piute Mountain.

 

[Turboyota]

I have this trip mapped from adelanto to lake Isabella, and we started to do it last year. It was raining in lake Isabella, so we headed into Death Valley instead. Should be a super cool trip!!!

 

[dwphoto]

I have this trip mapped from adelanto to lake Isabella, and we started to do it last year. It was raining in lake Isabella, so we headed into Death Valley instead. Should be a super cool trip!!!

The only issue there is Edwards.. Ask Steve girl this weekend about the time I lead him and @Adventure Endeavor down and motorcycle trail and ended up stuck on hill climb pinned up against a barbed wire fence. 1 am or something..

that was neat

later that weekend shit got weird...

 

[gtrainor21]

Interested as well, depending on how early in May chances are I'll be on my days off.

 

[BW_Taco]

I’m interested pending time off so just need to know dates

 

[BFAB]

Hey guys!


Were looking to do this trip this weekend if anyones interested in going!

 

[dwphoto]

Hey guys!


Were looking to do this trip this weekend if anyones interested in going!

Sounds rad wish I could make it happen. Be sure to post up photos!

 

[BFAB]

Sounds rad wish I could make it happen. Be sure to post up photos!

Will do!!


I think we have 6-8 trucks going! Think now it may even be some trail tent camping too!


Photos to come!!

 

[Turboyota]

 

[the bodj]

I have driven roads through that route and it is definitely beautiful!

 

[BFAB]

Well we ended up doing the trial and it was AWESOME. Absolutely epic time with the views, fresh mountain air, some snow patches with ice.


Took off and met at 6am at gas station neutral for everyone to meet and top off etc. then all followed eachother in a convoy which was pretty badass looking!

Got to the trail head and everyone did a last min walk around, gear check etc and air down. Started the trail off smooth sailing with the occasional stop to check things and get snacks etc. made the trip to Jawbone without issue. Got to jawbone and quickly found out that a Canam isn’t supposed to be on the asphalt. (We knew just unfortunately a chance you take. Buddy left with a ticket but BLM was cool and coulda been a bigger deal).


Made our way back after playing around a little while then had the issue the Duramax build (TJ) who came with us, after two hours of trying to diagnose/het him going we sent him back to the main rd and they went and got his truck and trailer to get him back home.

The rest of us ended up doing a night run back through the Forrest which was just as awesome during the day!

Trail conditions were suuuuuper mellow, lightly dusty..nothing crazy, occasionally ice spots and some puddles. Road seemed for the most part to be really well takin care of. The burned forest part was kinda sad to see but was a thing of beauty all in the same time. The views on this trip were absolutely mesmerizing. The fire sky above the clouds we stopped to just soak all that in and enjoy the sun going down.

 

[theycallmeWALLY]

Rad. That's a big group.

Any issues on the trip?

 

[BFAB]

Rad. That's a big group.

Any issues on the trip?

It was def rad!! We had a pretty damn good time.


The Duramax truck ended up having some turbo issues. we tried for a couple hours to make something work to keep him going but just couldn't get the truck to spool and build pressure. believe he either was losing a turbo or he was having fuel delivery issues. (codes for both with my scanner). Ended up parking it at Kelso Valley road and he rode back in the Can Am to get back to the trail head to get his truck and trailer while one of the guys stayed back to watch the truck and trailer which was cool of them to do.


Buddy in the Can-AM got a ticket for being a non reg vehicle on the asphalt in Jawbone Canyon on the main road. Somewhere on the top of the trail is the limit for what he could do but he said he didn't come all this way to not go all the way lol.


Trail itself was badass. The views and layout of the land was a lot of fun with a bunch of cool sweeping turns with berms and banks to play on. Wash board was hardly a thing on 99% of the trail which is good cause that can be brutal for any kind of vehicle/build.

 

[Mattwayne816]

Had a great day. Would definitely do it again