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2015 Kern County Visitors Guide

By Lisa Kerr 



Hiking Kern 

7 

Kern County is home to unique desert landscapes 

with rare wildlife and geology that any hiker would 

appreciate; but just beyond Kern County, there are 

thousands of miles of trails featuring clear ocean 

views, up-close views of beautiful rock formations and 

breathtaking mountain views. 

A popular local Bakersfield trail is the Hart Park 

area. The trail is informal and follows the river edge 

through a community park. The Hart Park trail is 

great for bird watching. 

Tehachapi offers miles of trails for ambitious hikers, 

but hikers are asked to use caution when starting on 

an unknown trail, since most of the land in the area is 

private property. The Pacific Crest Trail covers 2,652 

miles from border to border and about 300 hikers 

attempt the trail annually. Hikers often stop in 

Tehachapi, as the city is only nine miles from the 

nearest trailhead. 

Willow Springs Road Trailhead is accessible where 

Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road and Cameron 

Canyon Road meet. Hikers have two options: a 

southwest trail that runs about 22 miles toward 

Cottonwood Creek in the Antelope Valley, featuring a 

great view of the Antelope Valley and Oak Creek 

Canyon or a northeast trail that runs almost 6 miles 

toward Highway 58 and the wind turbines. 

Highway 58 at Cameron Canyon Road Trailhead 

goes to the top of the ridge overlooking Waterfall 

Canyon and eight miles further, it leads to the Golden 

Oaks Springs, a secluded glade. 

Carrizo Plain National Monument has six hiking 

trails: Soda Lake Trail, Overlook Hill, Wallace Creek, 

Painted Rock, Caliente Ridge Trail and the Caliente 

Mountain Access Trail. Painted Rock Trail leads to the 

sacred site of Chumash rock art, so reservations must 

be made ahead of time at Recreation.gov. 

Kern River Valley is best known for its white-water 

rafting but locals will tell you the area around the Kern 

Valley is full of trails. The Forest Service has listed 

seventeen trails around the Kern Valley and you can 

find trail guides at the Cannell Meadow Ranger 

Station in Kernville. 

Hiking in the Sequoia National Forest is a popular 

activity for travelers from around the world and the 

Pacific Crest Trail runs through several sections of the 

forest. One of the most popular trails within the 

Sequoia National Forest is the Trail of 100 Giants. The 

trail is about one-half mile long and it’s rated as an 

easy hike. For a detailed list of trails, visit the National 

Park Service website. 

Just outside of Bakersfield is the ecologically diverse 

95,000 acre Wind Wolves Preserve. The preserve hosts 

tule elk, the California Condor and other endangered 

wildlife and hosts a variety of guided hikes and 

activities. 

The Mt. Pinos Ranger District in the Los Padres 

National Forest is located about 50 miles south of 

Bakersfield. The forest contains 1,257 miles of trails 

total. 

By Lisa Kerr


California City Business 








23Photo by David Clendenen







35Photo by David Clendenen

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