Road Rider High Sierra Cyclists
P.O. Box 2278
Ridgecrest California 93556
Local Road Rides		 Map

I want to note that the daytime summer temperatures can reach 115 degrees F or more. Outside of the Ridgecrest/Inyokern, Randsburg/Johannesburg, or Pearsonville there is NO WATER . The winds are generally from the southwest and tend to become stronger later in the day. For more information on the local climate visit the Ridgecrest site.

A few words are necessary about road names. There are names for the roads that us local people use. There are names for the roads that the people making the maps use. Finally, there are names for the roads on the signs. I suppose in a perfect world all three would be the same but this is not a perfect world. Highway 178 west of China Lake Blvd. in Ridgecrest is also known as Inyokern Road. If one looks one, will find that either name is used on the signs. Locals almost always refer to it as Inyokern Road.

Highway 178 east of China Lake Blvd. runs along Ridgecrest Blvd. at some point (some people I've talked to, suggest the boundary between Kern County and San Bernadino County) becomes Trona Road. However, this conflicts with the name of the road running between Highway 178 and the town of Red Mountain. We here in the local area have solved this by calling previously mentioned road the Red Mountain Road. Of course this conflicts with the real Red Mountain Road running between Red Mountain and Randsburg. Which for the most part is ignored or called the back way into Randsburg. Actually, the Red Mountain Road only goes to the intersection with the Randsburg Loop Road then the Red Mountain Road becomes Butte Ave.

Confused yet? Well I have one more to go. On the maps there is a road called the Randsburg Inyokern Road. On a map is the only place I could find that name. The few signs I found (all in Inyokern) all call it Brown Road. Of course we locals also use the term old 395 to refer to the same road. I think that covers the names.

The High Sierra Cyclist Ratings
***** The Best Ride
* The Worst Ride

Ride Profiles

Searles Loop - 33 Miles and 1720 feet of climbing****

Starting at Carl's Juniors (China Lake Blvd. and Church Street) go north .2 miles to the second stop light. Turn east on Ridgecrest Blvd. (Highway 178). Continue to the top of the ridge east of town and turn right on Randsburg Wash Rd. (unmarked). You have traveled 4.3 miles so far. You should now be approaching the Wild Horse and Burro Facility. At 8.4 miles turn right (up hill) on Trona Rd. The top of the hill is at 11.5 miles. Continue on until at 14.1 miles you turn right onto the Searles Station Cutoff Rd. You will be going down hill as you approach this 90 degree curve so control your speed. At 20.4 miles you will turn right once again onto Highway 395. Congratulations you have made it up the last real hill on this ride. Continue on 395 to the turn back into Ridgecrest at 27.1 miles. You should now be back on China Lake Blvd. It is all downhill (well almost) back to Carl's Juniors.   Index

Randsburg Loop - 51.3 miles and 3500 feet of climbing ***** Also rated the second toughest ride.
(With the Garlock addition - 63 miles and 4250 feet of climbing)

Starting at Carl's Juniors (China Lake Blvd. and Church Street) go north .2 miles to the second stop light. Turn east on Ridgecrest Blvd. (Highway 178). Continue to the top of the ridge east of town and turn right on Randsburg Wash Rd. (unmarked). You have traveled 4.3 miles so far. You should now be approaching the Wild Horse and Burro Facility. At 8.4 miles turn right (up hill) on Trona Rd. The top of the hill is at 11.5 miles. Continue on Trona Rd. past the Searles Station Cutoff Rd. at 14.1 miles and down toward the site of Marla's crash (Feb 1999). Yes, you do have to climb all the way up the hill in front of you. The top of that hill is at 19.9 miles and there are more coming. At 26.7 miles turn left on Highway 395 . Welcome to the town of Red Mountain. At 27.6 miles turn right onto Red Mountain Rd. and be prepared for the steepest climb of the ride. The top of the hill is at 29.1 miles. The name of the road changes to Butte Ave. at this point. It is downhill now into Randsburg. Stop at the general store at mile 30.6 and get yourself something to eat and drink. This is the only place to get water before Ridgecrest. At 30.7 miles turn right on the Redrock Rand Rd. and go to the stop sign at Highway 395 (31.8 miles) turn left. {If you want to add more miles turn left at mile 30.7 and ride to the ghost town of Garlock. Please, consult the map .} After you cross the railroad tracks on Highway 395, you are facing the last climb of the ride. The top of the hill is at 38.3 miles. Continue past the Searles Station Cutoff Rd at 38.8 miles toward the turnoff into Ridgecrest at 45.5 miles. You should now be back on China Lake Blvd. It is all downhill (well almost) back to Carl's Juniors.  Index

Inyokern Loop 26.8 miles and 738 feet of climbing.*** Rated the easiest ride and best beginners ride.

Starting at Carl's Juniors (China Lake Blvd. and Church Street) go north 2.2 miles and turn left on Highway 178. You will pass over Highway 395 at 9.5 miles. Continue to Brown Rd (10.4 miles) and turn left (south) onto Brown Rd. (Inyokern Randsburg Rd. ). At the intersection with Highway 395 (21 miles), proceed across 395 and continue north on China Lake Blvd. back into Ridgecrest.   Index

Wagon Wheel Hill 21 miles ****

Starting at Carl's Juniors (China Lake Blvd. and Church Street) go north .2 miles to the second stop light. Turn east on Ridgecrest Blvd. (Highway 178). Continue to the top of the ridge east of town and turn right on Randsburg Wash Rd. (unmarked). You have traveled 4.3 miles so far. You should now be approaching the Wild Horse and Burro Facility. At 8.4 miles turn right (up hill) on Trona Rd. The top of the hill is at 11.5 miles. Return to Ridgecrest.  Index

Bryan's Loop 21.7 miles ***

Starting at Carl's Juniors (China Lake Blvd. and Church Street) go north .2 miles to the second stop light. Turn east on Ridgecrest Blvd. (Highway 178). Continue east on 178 over the ridge east of town to the intersection with Trona Rd. Turn right (south) on Trona Rd. to the intersection with the Randsburg Wash Rd. Turn right on the Randsburg Wash Rd. At the intersection with 178 turn left and continue back into Ridgecrest . Index

Time Trial 19.1 miles and 606 ft of climbing. * Poor rating due to the rough road along Highway 395.
Highway 395 has been repaved (May 98) which should improve the rating.
Course Map
Starting at the corner of Norma and China Lake (Century 21 south of Albertson/Walmart) go south (uphill) to the intersection of Highway 395. Turn right (north) on 395 continuing to the intersection of Highway 178. Turn right (east) on 178 toward Ridgecrest. The finish is just prior to crossing Downs street.   Index

Melissa's Ride 17 miles **

Start at Walmart on South China Lake Blvd. proceed south to Highway 395. Turn around back to the stop light at Walmart and turn right on College Heights Blvd. Ride up to Cerro Coso College and then turn around to finish back at Walmart.  Index

College Hill Ride 3.3 miles ** This road can be dangerous when classes are let out.

Starting at Walmart at the intersection of China Lake Blvd. and College Heights Blvd. Proceed up College Heights Blvd. to Cerro Coso College and return. Index

Coso Junction Ride 40 miles and 1432 feet of climbing one way ****

Follow the direction for the Inyokern Loop to the overpass at 395 (9.5 miles). Turn north onto 395 until it intersects Highway 14. Take the access road (west side of highway) north past Pearsonville to the 9 mile canyon (Kennedy Meadows Rd). Continue north on highway past Little Lake to the Coso Junction Rest Area and store. Return to Ridgecrest via same route. Index

9 Mile Ride 10 miles ****

This is considered the toughest ride and best ride for climbers. Also is the most scenic of the rides.

Drive to the Kennedy Meadows Rd. Ride on the Kennedy Meadows Rd. to the top of 9 mile canyon. I would say something about enjoying the ride down; however, most people do not. Index

Walker's Pass 50 miles **

While none of the above ride have heavy traffic, this ride has the most traffic with litte or no shoulder. Proceed west on Highway 178 to the top of Walker's Pass and return  . Index

Redrock Canyon Loop approx. 90 miles with 4706 feet of climbing.
(This ride was not rated but it has to rate right up there with the toughest ride.)

Follow the directions for the Randsburg loop ride to Randsburg and then follow the Redrock - Randsburg road to Garlock and continue on to the junction with State Highway 14. From the junction if you need water you have two choices. Turn south (left) on Highway 14 to the Jawbone canyon BLM Station or turn north and go to the Red Rock Canyon Campground (about 1 mile off Highway 14 part way up the canyon). Be advised that the water is much better at the BLM Station but the Station is closed two days during the week. After rewatering continue north and ride through spectacular Redrock Canyon. Continue north on Highway 14 to the turn off into Inyokern. Follow Highway 178 (Trona Road) back into Ridgecrest.  The ride distance does not include side trips for water. Index

Lone Pine one way 82 miles 2683 feet of climbing

Follow the direction for the Inyokern Loop to the overpass at 395 (9.5 miles). Turn north onto 395 until it intersects Highway 14. Take the access road (west side of highway) north past Pearsonville to the 9 mile canyon (Kennedy Meadows Rd). Continue north on highway past Little Lake and the Coso Junction Rest Area(where water is available ) to Lone Pine. Return to Ridgecrest via same route. Index

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