Bakersfield to Lone Pine

Taking 58 to 14 there is an easy off/on fairly large fuel stop (Shell Gas and diesel with big rig parking) on 58 as you leave Bakersfield (small new smaller fuel stop at the Comanche off ramp, easy off and on) and Loves as you leave Tehachapi. Easy on and off.

dicknellen wrote:

lanerd wrote:
I have to respectfully partially disagree with Dick.
Ron

If you are going to disagreed with it nice to have it done respectfully. We have done 395 in the winter, it just depends upon the winter. Last winter it was not usually a problem, hopefully next winter it will be, we need lots of snow in the mountains. It just would require watching weather reports and being flexible with your travel days. Dick

I have to respectfully agree with Dick! The one nice thing about California weather in the winter is it is very predictable. Snow storms in the mountains come from cold fronts that move through the area and they can see them coming days in advance and predict snowy conditions. Those storms just don't come up out of no where. If I would make the trip you're talking about, I'd take 80 over to 395 and go south, or at least plan to go that way. It they are predicting the possibility of snow, then just take the ugly old low road.

lanerd wrote:
I have to respectfully partially disagree with Dick.
Ron

If you are going to disagreed with it nice to have it done respectfully. We have done 395 in the winter, it just depends upon the winter. Last winter it was not usually a problem, hopefully next winter it will be, we need lots of snow in the mountains. It just would require watching weather reports and being flexible with your travel days. Dick

Thanks so much. I do know the 58/14/295 route and I guess that is the smartest way. Maybe I can figure out how to come home via 395 and go to Lone Pine in late Spring or just camp at Edwards and then drive up to Lone Pine in the toad.

lanerd wrote:
I have to respectfully partially disagree with Dick. You do NOT want to come down 395 in January...unless you have daily weather report indicating no snow. Parts of 395 are 9000 feet elevation and it doesn't take much to snow up there.

I do agree on taking 58 over Tehachapi pass (almost always kept clear of snow as it is a major east/west corridor over the Sierras) to Hwy 14. North on 14 until it merges with 395 at Inyokern. 395 will take you on up to Lone Pine.

You DO NOT want to take Hwy 178 out of Bakersfield....this is a road that goes up Kern Canyon and has lots of turns, curves, drop offs, and crazy people driving way too fast. While you can take a large RV over this road, you will eventually have to go over Walker's Pass to get to Hwy 14. During January, this pass can close on a moments notice and you will have no where to go. Even in good weather, taking 178 v.s. 58 will take you at least 1/2 hour longer.

So, as mentioned, hwy 58 to 14 to 395 is definitely the best route. I live in Ridgecrest and know these roads intimately.

Ron

I agree with this route ( 58, 14, Inyokern, 395 ) in the dead of winter. I also agree to stay off of 178 out of bakersfield. You can take a short detour off of Hwy 14 and go into Inyokern for fuel, cheaper then anything you will find further north, and then hit 395 and go to lone pine

I have to respectfully partially disagree with Dick. You do NOT want to come down 395 in January...unless you have daily weather report indicating no snow. Parts of 395 are 9000 feet elevation and it doesn't take much to snow up there.

I do agree on taking 58 over Tehachapi pass (almost always kept clear of snow as it is a major east/west corridor over the Sierras) to Hwy 14. North on 14 until it merges with 395 at Inyokern. 395 will take you on up to Lone Pine.

You DO NOT want to take Hwy 178 out of Bakersfield....this is a road that goes up Kern Canyon and has lots of turns, curves, drop offs, and crazy people driving way too fast. While you can take a large RV over this road, you will eventually have to go over Walker's Pass to get to Hwy 14. During January, this pass can close on a moments notice and you will have no where to go. Even in good weather, taking 178 v.s. 58 will take you at least 1/2 hour longer.

So, as mentioned, hwy 58 to 14 to 395 is definitely the best route. I live in Ridgecrest and know these roads intimately.

Ron

From Bakersfield the best route would be 58 E to 14 N to where it joins 395 N. 58 is kept open all year and is 4 lane. By not going 80 to 395 S you are missing the beauty of 395. If weather permits take 80 to 395. The drive down I-5 or 99 is boring. We lived over 20 years in Bakersfield. D1ck

My only warning is to avoid filling up with gas north of Lone Pine. It is expensive to truck in the fuel, and Bishop seems to have record breaking high fuel prices!

It is much less expensive to fill up in Bakersfield, and top off in Ridgecrest area. The fuel pipelines do not go north of Ridgecrest, it must be trucked in from there.

You should find that highway 58 is open to traffic, and normally free of snow, except for a snowstorm that might delay your passage for a day or so.

I am not sure about highway 178. I have been through that area the last week of December, and that year there was no snow, it was comfortable to be in shorts while out of the car in the daytime. Yet my friends have reported snow in nearby Jawbone Canyon!

I did drive up to Lone Pine one December, and found that the road to Mt Whitney Portal closed due to snow. The campground at the base of the mountain was open.

There is a campground called Horseshoe and it is 10,700' elevation! That was closed for sure!

Many areas around Lone Pine where used as movie sets by the Lone Ranger, and Gene Autrey, and others.

Have fun camping!

Fred.