Kern Plateau Off-
Highway Vehicle Trails

Information & Maps provided by US Forest Service / Department of Agriculture

| OHV Info | Location/Access | State/Fed Regulations | ATV's | Ethics | 4-Wheel Drive |
| Additional Info | OHV Trail Directory |

Back to Recreation Guide

Kern Plateau OHV Trail Information

Welcome to the Kern Plateau! The diversity of this area provides a unique opportunity for the off-roader. Please help protect the natural resources of the area by following the rules listed in this guide.

DESCRIPTION

The Kern Plateau provides recreational opportunities for a variety of forest users. The area open to off-highway vehicle (OHV) use contains more than 140 miles of trails and is almost completely surrounded by Wilderness. The Kern River borders the area on the west. The terrain varies from high rocky trails near Sherman Peak (elevation 9,909 ft.) to the open country of Monache Meadow (elevation 8,000 ft.), the largest complex of meadow lands in the High Sierras. Challenging rocky side hill type trails can be found in Rattlesnake and Bonita Creek drainages. Enjoyable forest type trails can be experienced on the Jackass, Albanita and Blackrock Mountain trails.

Back to Directory

LOCATION AND ACCESS

The Troy Meadow and Fish Creek Campgrounds provide centralized access to most of the trails found on the Kern Plateau. These campgrounds (elevation 7,800 ft.) are located approximately 54 miles northeast of Kernville via Mtn. 99 and Sherman Pass Road (22S05), or 33 miles west of Hwy. 395 via Nine-Mile Canyon Road (J41), and are open from June to November, depending on weather conditions.

Back to Directory

STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS

• State law requires a helmet to be worn for highway use.

• A valid State OHV "'Green Sticker" is required on all off-highway vehicles.

• Street legal registration and a valid driver's license are required on paved roads. In addition, the Sequoia National Forest requires street legal registration and driver's license when OHV's travel on highly used dirt Forest roads (Level III). It is the rider's responsibility to know which roads these are. Refer to the OHV Trail Directory for descriptive road and trail information.

• All vehicles require an approved muffler that does not exceed a decibel rating of 101, if manufactured on or after January 1, 1975, or 105, if manufactured before January 1, 1975, brakes and a Forest Service approved spark arrester.

• Motorized travel is NOT permitted in any Wilderness. The fine is 6 months in jail and/or a maximum fine of $5,000.

Back to Directory

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (ATV's)

• State law requires a safety certificate for anyone under the age of 18 riding an ATV on public lands. For anyone under 14 years of age, the law requires that they be accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or an adult authorized by the parent or guardian.

• The law requires EVERYONE to wear a helmet when riding an ATV.

• ATV'S are permitted only on the Sherman Pass and Monache 4-Wheel Drive Roads and must be transported to the entry points. ATV's must possess a valid State OHV "Green Sticker" and Forest Service approved spark arrester.

Back to Directory

ETHICS AND REGULATIONS

• Within 50 feet of any campground or campsite the speed limit is 10 mph, unless posted otherwise. When riding trails, vehicle speeds should not endanger people, property or cause resource damage.

• Cross-country travel is PROHIBITED. Use only designated roads and trails.

• Obey all posted "NO TRESPASSING" signs and respect private property.

• OHV's may travel in campgrounds ONLY to enter or leave their campsite or the campground.

• Careless or reckless operation of OHV's is not permitted. OHV operators may not drive in a manner which maliciously or unnecessarily damages vegetation, wildlife or property. When traveling on designated trails and roads, OHV riders must allow people on horseback enough time and space to find a safe position before passing. Sudden movements and excessive noise may scare the animal. Stock animals have the right-of-way.

• Always close gates after passing through them.

• When meeting a group of oncoming riders, use hand signals to notify them of how many riders are following in your group.

• Ride defensively and be cautious of oncoming riders. Use your headlight to alert approaching traffic.

• Keep to the right when cresting a blind hill or corner. Do not shortcut switchbacks.

• TREAD LIGHTLY. Avoid hard braking and fast acceleration which causes resource damage.

• Obey stop signs. Stop and proceed with caution at all road crossings. The trails cross roads in many places, some of which are heavily traveled.

• REMEMBER, as OHV users you are very visible and audible to others. Your actions reflect on all OHV users. A little bit of consideration can go a long way in building positive relations.

Back to Directory

4-WHEEL DRIVE ROADS

The two major 4-wheel drive roads on the Kern Plateau are the Sherman Pass Road and Monache Jeep Road. Sherman Jeep Road is a narrow, rocky road not suitable for long wheelbase vehicles. Access to this road is off the Bonita Meadow Road (22S41). The road continues toward the west and terminates at the Sherman Pass Road, approximately six miles west of the Vista Point.

The Monache Jeep Road provides access into the Monache Meadow area and the South Fork of the Kern River. This is an easy 4-wheel drive road which starts near Powell Meadow on Road 21S36 and ends near Bakeoven Meadow.

BE CORDIAL, PATIENT AND HAVE FUN!
Practice the golden rule: Treat others with the same respect that you wish to receive.
TREAD LIGHTLY!

Back to Directory

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Kernville Ranger Station

PO Box 6

105 Whitney Road

Kernville, CA 93238

(760) 376-3781 (Voice/ext. 202 TDD)

Lake Isabella Visitor Center

PO Box 3810

4875 Ponderosa Drive

Lake Isabella, CA 93240

(760) 379-5646 (Voice/TDD)

Blackrock Information Station

Sherman Pass Road (22S05)

at the 4-way intersection

(760) 376-1666

California Off-Road Vehicle Association

PO Box 3810

1601 IOth Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

(800) 237-5436

Back to Directory

Back to Directory