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| Home > California > Willow Gulch Trail |
Willow Gulch Trail
Saturday, December 23, 2023
| Other Names | Sequoia National Forest, Kern River Ranger District, Squirrel Valley, Dry Meadow, 34E41, Piute Mountains, Piute Peak, Kelso Creek, Landers Camp, Piaute Springs OHV, Piute Mountains, French Meadow |
| Last Known Status | Open |
The Willow Gulch Trail is roughly 20 miles long of technical single track. The trail begins at Squirrel Valley and heads north, eventually ending at Dry Meadows, but can also be used to head south and tie into French Meadow, which has an additional 500+ miles of designated single track.
Most of the trails in this area are rated as black diamond, but it is possible to leave the Piute Mountains and trek into nearby Dove Springs.
This trail can be accessed off Kelso Valley Road or via Saddle Springs Road, but if you are looking for free primitive camping with direct trail access try Landers Camp or Piute Springs OHV.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB) |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | ||
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 ATVs | Prohibited | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 UTV & SXS | Prohibited | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | ||
| Night Riding | Unknown | Not Recommended |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | keep vehicle on trail |
| Rule Enforcement |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | 1-2 Days |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Weldon, CA | ||
| Address | Piute Valley Road, Weldon, CA 93283 | ||
| From: Lake Isabella, CA
1) Take Hwy 178 East about 13 miles 2) Turn right (south) onto Kelso Valley Road, continue about 12 miles 3) Turn right (west) onto Cortez Way, continue about .5 miles toward trailhead. For Landers Staging Area: 4) Continue south on Kelso Valley Road about 5 miles 5) Veer right (west) onto Piute Mountain Road, continue 8.2 miles 6) Turn right (north) onto FS Road 29S05, continue about 1 mile 7) Staging area is on the left (west). For Piaute Springs OHV Staging Area: 8) Continue west on Piute Mountain Road 3.2 miles 9) Turn right (north) onto FS Road 27S02, continue about .6 miles 10) Staging area is on the left (west). |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Sequoia National Forest - Kern River Ranger District 105 Whitney Road Kernville, CA 93238 (760) 376-3781 sm.fs.sequoianf@usda.gov www.fs.usda.gov |
Willow Gulch Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 8/27/17 (Thanks!)
ADD PHOTOS
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 35,000 acres (55 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 20 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 6100 to 6500 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand |  None | |
| Mud | Little | |
| Dust |  Some | |
| Rocks | Mostly | |
| Trees |  All | |
| Steep Hills |  Many | |
| Water Crossings |  Few | |
| Small Jumps | None | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms | Some | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | All | |
| Roads | None | |
| Shade | Many | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Little | |
 Amateur | Some | |
 Expert | Mostly |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Shell (760) 379-3747 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Shell (760) 379-3747 |
 Water | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Lake Isabella KOA (760) 378-2001 |
 RV Hookup | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Lake Isabella KOA (760) 378-2001 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Lake Isabella KOA (760) 378-2001 |
| Campground | On Site | |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Shell (760) 379-3747 |
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS