Sherman’s Pass Road: J41 Mojave to Kern River, Sequoia Forest Rd# 22S05
Sequoia National Forest
Snow closes Sherman’s Pass Road annually
This paved Southern Sierra highway (aka J41, off US 395) is a paved route through the eastern portion of the Sequoia National Forest. A curvy mountain corridor which crosses over the forested plateau and also the South Fork of the Kern River. This road skirts the Domeland Wilderness & the South Sierra Wilderness. The PCT (Pacific Crest Trail runs across it as well, near Kennedy Meadows.
East side of Sequoia National Forest, the Kern Plateau meets the Mojave desert w/ BLM Camping & Inyo National Forest.
The Sherman route connects the Kern River, near Fairview to Kennedy Meadows & closes for snow in winter months. There are plenty seasonal creeks, meadows & forests in this region. Elevations range from 4000′ near the Kern River to 8000′ at Black Rock Station.
Bald Mountain Fire Lookout is an excellent stop for sightseeing over Domeland Wilderness. Access it via dirt road# 22S77, access to tower is a rough and rocky, steep road which may require 4WD.
USFS Ranger Stations:
Black Rock Station
760-376-1666
Kernville Station
760-376-3781
Campgrounds along Sherman’s Pass Road include –
Rincon Camp (primitive campsite) – just up from Brush Creek & Kern River; Rincon Trail #33E23 runs North/South near here.
California Mountain Roads –
Snow Chain Requirements
R1 – Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.
R2 – Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels. NOTE: four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas.
R3 – Chains required. Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
The most common chain controls are R-1 and R-2. Highways will often be closed before an R-3 control is imposed, but winter weather conditions can change any road condition, hour by hour.
Breckenridge Mountain, eastern, paved access from Breckenridge Road #28S06, Sequoia National Forest, Kern County CaliforniaSierra National Forest Road #11S12 – Big Creek, granite gorge view. Dirt road connecting Wishon Reservoir to the Kings River, on the Western side of the Sierra NevadaExploring Modoc Road 64 (aka South Warner Rd) located back behind Blue Lake Campground. Excellent horse camping opportunities next to South Warner Wilderness.
Observatory @ San Pedro Martir, Baja California Norte – Pine Forest Camping Laguna Hanson, Parque Nacional Constitution de 1857; located off Hwy 3 east of EnsenadaKelbaker Road, Mojave Desert – paved connector and main route between Interstate 15 and Interstate 40. Mojave Desert National PreserveBackpacking, Equestrian and Hiking Trailheads to the High Country Eastern Sierra. Cottonwood Lakes, Inyo National Forest @ US Highway 395
San Bernardino National Forest: Heart Bar Campground
At Hwy 38 & Forest Road #1N02 is a huge, pine forested valley, right next to San Gorgonio Wilderness. Heartbar Campground, Heart Bar Horse Camps, RV Dispersed Sites. Highway 38 – SE of Big Bear Lake, California; Mountain Bike, Hiking & Equestrian Trails with ridges of 10,000′ elevation. SAN GORGONIO peak nearby. Best high elevation scenery for SoCal by far.
backpacking
camping
fishing
hiking
mountain biking
mountain peaks
waterfalls
Primitive Camps on the Back Road #1N02
Heart Bar Campground
Big Bear Forest – HEART BAR
This gorgeous valley is a developed recreation area w/ 89 camp sites, plus big equestrian area. Picnic, hiking, mountain biking, horseback trails, plenty RV spots, even a creek. (Oooops I meant the Santa Ana River) Highway 38 is kinda the long way into Big Bear Lake, up thru Angelus Oaks. Locals call this stretch of the highway Barton Flats.
Bring the Horses & RVs
Group Campground facilities
Barton Flats – San Gorgonio Recreation Area
Leading out the back way of HeartBar, past the horse camp – is a nice one lane dirt road, narrow in spots, with random, primitive camp sites along the roadway. Authorities refer to these spots as yellow post camp sites.
This backcountry route is marked as Forest Service Rd #1N02 – graded dirt road that leads back to Coon Creek Cabin.
Forest Falls is well worth a stop for a quick picnic or hike – and head dunk. Weekends can be busy and crowded. Since this location is close to Southern California and the population centers, expect weekends to be busy in the Big Bear mountains. Plan a trip for week days to experience less people, and more nature.
48 years and counting, Catalina’s Annual New Year’s Eve Gala, held annually in the famous oceanfront Casino Ballroom. The Gala includes a buffet dinner, dancing, champagne split, one bottle of wine in a specially engraved bottle and party favors. A photographer will be onsite. Entertainment is a dinner trio and an orchestra. Coat & Tie are required; Black Tie is optional. Reservations are required.
