Bakersfield to Lone Pine

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