Location: Kern County, about 5 miles northeast of Kernville, 210 miles from Los Angeles

Maps

Auto Club: Kern County

Forest Service: Sequoia National Forest

USGS Topo: Cannel Peak 7½, Weldon 7½

HPS: Route(s), waypoints and explanation of usage (Older version)

Distance: 2 miles round trip cross-country

Gain: 900'

Time: 2 hours round trip

Rating: Class 1, easy, class 2 summit block

Leader Rating: "I", normal conditions

Navigation: Intermediate

Original: Paul A. Lipsohn, 1973

DRIVING ROUTE 1

• From Sylmar rideshare point go north on I-5 to SR 99.
• Go north 24.5 miles on SR 99 to SR 58.
• Go east 7.1 miles on SR 58 to Weedpatch Highway (SR 184).
• Go 4.3 miles north on SR 184 to SR 178. Please note: SR 184 goes right (east) at a stop sign 1.7 miles from SR 58.
• Go 33.5 miles east on SR 178 to the intersection of SR 178 and SR 155. This road is scenic as it follows the Kern River, but is very winding.
• Alternatively, you can reach the intersection of SR 178 and SR 155 from Walker Pass (please refer to your AAA map). This route is about 20 miles longer from Sylmar, but the road is not as winding and those traveling from the east might find it shorter.
• From the intersection of SR 178 and SR 155 in the town of Lake Isabella, go north on SR 155 for 7.0 miles to where SR 155 turns left in the town of Wofford Heights. Continue straight 4.8 miles on Wofford Heights/Kernville Road crossing the Kern River Bridge in Kernville.
• Turn north (left) on Sierra Way (Mountain Highway 99) and go north along the Kern River about 20 miles to the Sherman Pass Road (22S05) on the right. Turn right (east). Note your odometer and go as follows (the most obvious road is generally the correct route):
• At 6.1 miles, fork with a sign "Big Meadow". Turn right (south) on 22S12 (Cherry Hill Road).
• Follow this road to Big Meadow at about 18.1 miles. (Note that you pass 23S07, the turn to SPS' Siretta Peak, at about 17.8 miles.)
• Then follow signs to Cannel Meadow. As you pass through Long Meadow at about 24.1 miles, you will fork onto 24S12 as you continue to follow signs to Cannel Meadow.
• Then follow signs to Pine Flat.
• At 29.1 miles, Pine Flat. You have three choices: 24S12B goes to the left, 24S12C is the middle fork (goes straight ahead), and 24S12 is the right fork and the main road. The middle fork takes you to the Hiking Route 1 trailhead. Once on 24S12C you can drive about 0.5 mile. Park here. The road is overgrown beyond that point.
• If 24S12C is blocked you can continue straight on 24S12 for about 1/2 mile.
• Turn left where the road splits at the intersection of Cannel Meadows Trail and 24S12D. Continue on the road, initially running along the Cannel Meadows Trail, for about 1/2 mile to a wide area. Park here.

Road conditions for this route can be checked by calling the Cannel Meadows Ranger District at 760-376-3781.

HIKING ROUTE 1

• From either parking area, hike south up the slope to the top of the ridge.
• Turn left and follow the ridge to the summit area. There is a class 2 route on the southeast side of the summit block which can be reached by going around the summit rocks clockwise. There is a low class 3 route on the northeast side.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The dirt road south from the Sherman Pass road is seasonal. The road reaches an altitude of over 8100' and commonly gets snow between November and May.