Jawbone to Lake Isabella

Total Miles
48.0

Elevation

2,486.79 ft

Duration

5 Hours

Technical Rating

3

Easy

Best Time

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

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Jawbone to Lake Isabella 6

Trail Overview

Long scenic route crosses sprawling high desert from Jawbone OHV Area, climbs above 8,000 feet across the Piute Mountain Range inside Sequoia National Forest, then descends quickly to Lake Isabella. Vast areas of dispersed camping with open riding around Jawbone Station. No greensticker vehicles allowed on Jawbone Canyon Road. Although Forest Road 27S02 is open to green-sticker vehicles, we don't recommend riding here.

Photos of Jawbone to Lake Isabella

Jawbone to Lake Isabella
Jawbone to Lake Isabella
Jawbone to Lake Isabella

Difficulty

Easy: We found the road well graded the entire way, but be prepared for ruts and washed-out sections on steep grades. Winter snows may close the road for brief periods at higher elevations. Mud possible in spring.

History

The rusty teepee-like structure you encounter on this trip was used to burn mill waste for a saw mill located nearby. At one time you could find these odd structures all over California. The Clear Air Act 1970 did away with their use and by 1980 all were shut down. Please respect the structure and take only pictures.

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

Al Smith
Apr 19, 2024
4x4
Temporarily Closed
Closed Gate
The gate at Bodfish Saddle was closed.
Carter Knight
Mar 15, 2024
4x4
Open
Muddy/Wet
Snow/Ice
Rough/Deteriorated
Going east to west, We turned around at 28S18 fork. Snow was about two feet deep and couldn’t make it with 37s. The rest of the trail was almost perfect up to that point. There were some wash outs that required a lifted vehicle with big tires. Will try trail again when the snow melts!
Albert Jimenez
Feb 24, 2024
4x4
Open
Muddy/Wet
Snow/Ice
Rough/Deteriorated
First 15ish miles are generally easy. As you make the left turn at the main fork and start heading up hill…this is where you can expect the trail to start winding up hill as you crest into Sequoia Natl. Forest. If you can even make it past the first hairpins when there’s cement snow…it will get slightly technical (in the winter) as you start to crest and drop down towards Claraville. Otherwise, this trail is a cake walk in the summer time. But in the winter, as you start to head up Piute Mountail Trail, be sure to have other friends with you along with all of the proper gear because you can expect to get stuck in the snow…but that’s all part of the fun!
Ashton Fera
Feb 23, 2024
2021 Toyota 4Runner
Open
Snow/Ice
Rough/Deteriorated
snow line now at around 6k feet. big washouts on switchbacks which can be maneuvered around. high clearance 4x4 recommended.

Access Description

From town of Mojave, take Hwy. 14 northeast about 19 miles and turn left on Jawbone Canyon Rd. Continue west 4.9 miles to SC176 on right just before distinctive Blue Point.

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