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

Show in App
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

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

Alberto Gómez
May 23, 2024
1988 Jeep Wrangler
Obstructed
Mud ruts are still present, just south of the incinerator. There is a side trail folks have made to get around this muddy mess. I went East towards Sorrel Peak, so I don't know how the rest of the road looks heading N/NW towards Bodfish. It may still have patches of snow on the North face of Piute Mtn.
Tanner Harvey
May 17, 2024
2023 Polaris RZR Pro R 4
Temporarily Closed
Closed Gate
Weather Event
Three of the gates were closed, first gate coming from jawbone is easy to drive around for a sxs. The other Two are easily moveable. Any sxs can make it though the trail easily, trucks most likely can’t due to trees that have fallen.
Nathaniel Mcfadden
May 10, 2024
4x4
Temporarily Closed
Closed Gate
Ryan Anderson
May 04, 2024
4x4
Obstructed
Deep Snow
Jawbone to Claraville was fine, some deep mud before the teepee, nothing a 4x4 can’t handle. Road past Claraville was blocked with trucks stuck in the melting snow/mud. Trail was backed up & we were warned about the situation by groups that had turned around. From the T intersection at Claraville we were able to drop down the eastern side into Sugarland. It was an easy route.

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.

Popular Trails

Abandoned Old Dutch Cleanser Mine Trail

Abandoned Old Dutch Cleanser Mine Trail

Total Miles
1.0
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Creosote Wash

Creosote Wash

Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Arroyo Tapiado Trail

Arroyo Tapiado Trail

Total Miles
9.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Arrastia Wash Trail

Arrastia Wash Trail

Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Go Farther

Try onX Offroad Elite for free for a week — no strings attached. Get access to thousands of off-road dirt trails and snowmobile trails across the nation. View your favorite zones in 3D. Send trails to friends. Start planning the trip of a lifetime now.