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Location: Kern County, about 5 miles west of Tehachapi, 115 miles from Los Angeles

Maps

Auto Club: Kern County

USGS Topo: Keene 7½

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

Nearby Peaks: Tehachapi Mountain

Distance: 2.5 miles round trip on use trail and cross-country

Gain: 1500'

Time: 2 hours round trip

Rating: Class 1, easy

Navigation: Easy

Route: Open, grassy slopes

Access: The trailhead is located on a public street in a subdivision. It is one of several possible starting points that provide access to the mountain through undeveloped parcels.

Original: Carleton Shay, 1991

DRIVING ROUTE 1

• From Mojave, drive northwest on SR 58 about 21 miles to exit 148, the third Tehachapi off-ramp. It is labeled "Correctional Institution" and is SR 202 west.
• Note your odometer as the exit ramp crosses the freeway, and continue generally southwards on what becomes Tucker Road.
• At 1.1 miles, Valley Blvd. This is the turnoff for Tehachapi Mountain. Turn right (west).
• At 2.6 miles, Woodford-Tehachapi Road. Turn right (north).
• At 4.1 miles, Country Club Drive, opposite an abandoned golf course. Turn left (west) into the subdivision.
• Go 3 blocks, then right on Mariposa.
• Go 3 blocks, then left on Quail Springs Road.
• Continue up Quail Springs Road about 1 mile, almost to the end of the street. Park at a horse trail on the north side of the street about 150' northeast of house #21800.

There is a large oak tree at the start of the horse trail.

HIKING ROUTE 1

• From the parking area (4180'), walk 50 meters up the trail and cross a barbed wire fence placed to keep cattle out of the subdivision. Continue hiking northwest around the left side of the rocky knoll and to the right of a gully, then climb north to the top of the ridge.
• As you ascend the ridge, note features in the subdivision behind you to provide "aiming points" for the return. This may avoid the embarrassment of having to ask directions to your vehicle after you exit through developed parcels.
• Continue along the ridge northwest, then west, toward bump 5640'+ just south of the summit. Contour north past a shallow saddle and on easily to the summit.

Distance: 5 miles round trip on use trail and cross-country

Gain: 2000'

Time: 3-4 hours round trip

Rating: Class 1, easy

Navigation: Moderate

Route: Open grassy slopes

Access: The trailhead is located on a public street in a subdivision. It is one of several possible starting points that provide access to the mountain through undeveloped parcels.

Original: Carleton Shay, 1991

DRIVING ROUTE 2

• From Mojave, drive northwest on SR 58 about 21 miles to exit 148, the third Tehachapi off-ramp. It is labeled "Correctional Institution" and is SR 202 west.
• Note your odometer as the exit ramp crosses the freeway, and continue generally southwards on what becomes Tucker Road.
• At 1.1 miles, Valley Blvd. This is the turnoff for Tehachapi Mountain. Turn right (west).
• At 2.6 miles, Woodford-Tehachapi Road. Turn right (north).
• At 4.1 miles, Country Club Drive, opposite an abandoned golf course. Turn left (west) into the subdivision.
• Go 3 blocks, then right on Mariposa.
• Then left on Carriage.
• Then right on Indian Wells.
• Then left on Paddock to its end at a cul-de-sac. Park here 0.1 mile south of spot elevation 4015' in Section 14 southeast of the peak.

HIKING ROUTE 2

• From the parking area (4020'), enter the undeveloped lots just beyond the cul-de-sac and head due west up the ridge.
• IMPORTANT! Descending into the wrong part of the subdivision can lead to difficulties. (Imagine asking homeowners how to find your vehicle.) As you ascend the ridge, note features in the subdivision behind you to provide "aiming points" for the return.
• A short way up the ridge you will cross a barbed wire fence placed to keep cattle out of the subdivision.
• Continue up the ridge and merge with a larger ridge coming from the southeast.
• The combined ridge continues northwest to bump 5324', which can be bypassed on its east side.
• Head north, dropping first into a saddle then up toward a rocky outcrop, which is bump 5640'+ just south of the summit. Pass this bump to its right and continue easily to the summit.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Both routes begin and end in a developing subdivision on the eastern slopes of Black Mountain. Do not hike through developed parcels. Use care in route finding when descending to the vehicles to avoid crossing developed parcels.

ALTERNATE ROUTES

If you can provide driving directions to another trailhead that provides access through the subdivision, or to one that bypasses the subdivision, please contact the Mountain Records Chair.

History of Summit Signature

Climbing Archives

Please report any corrections or changes to the Mountain Records Chair.