Walker Creek Road - FS 19S01

Trail Overview

Walker Creek Road begins just off Old US-395 south of Olancha, starting as a wide two-track sand trail before gradually narrowing as it gains elevation. Shortly after leaving the highway, the trail crosses over the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the new US-395 corridor, then makes a direct push toward the Eastern Sierra Mountains. The lower portion rolls through open desert terrain lined with low desert scrub and scattered Joshua trees. Higher up, the character of the trail shifts noticeably. Brush encroaches on the narrowing track, and the route eventually enters a canyon corridor alongside Walker Creek itself, where the canopy closes in with low-hanging tree branches requiring attention. The elevation gain rewards with expansive views back over the Olancha Dunes and out across the Owens Valley, giving one of the better vantage points accessible from the Old 395 corridor. This is a 10-mile out-and-back track. Note the last 2 miles turn from BLM land to USFS land with designation FS 19S01, and is only open to highway legal vehicles.

Photos of Walker Creek Road - FS 19S01

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Difficulty

Expect some washboard early in the trail. As the trail climbs, the sand gives way to rockier ground, and ruts up to 12 inches deep begin to appear alongside the typical desert obstacles. An off-camber section and a short shelf road appear near the top.

Technical Rating

Walker Creek Road - FS 19S01 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV