MtbREVIEW.com supports IMBA and responsible riding. Please submit only legal
trails to our list. If you discover a trail posted on this site that is not
open for public mountain biking, please email our IMBA friends at
info@imba.com with detailed info.
They'll help us remove the unauthorized trail from the site.
Click here for info about keeping our trails open.
If this is the correct location, click "Save Point" below or type the nearest location (country, city, Zip, or land mark) and the map will pan over to the location if the location is found.
Save Point
Go to Nearest Location:
Lat:
Lng:
Cow Flat Rd
1 reviews
4 of 5
Low-elevation 3 season trail. Loads of wildflowers. Technologically easy, moderate strenueity. Don''t park on the dirt in front of gate. Park 50 yd down hi-way 178 across the road on the asphalted pull out. First 2 miles entails a 900 ft climb. Then there''s 7 miles of rolling jeep trail. One passes thru semi-arid Oak & Grassland with flowering Sotols, grazing cattle (watch the bull), forest lined streams, and fields of varied wildflowers. Panaramic views of the Kern River and Canyon. During the last treks, I enjoyed coyotes yipping nearby, jumped up a red fox (still had his fine winter coat), and had a close encounter with a rattler. It''s hot, buggy, not to mention the snake, in warm weather. Once there''s been a few days in the 70''s, it''s best to take bug spray and a net for over the head. From early April till August, a prolificly growing native grass appropriately named "rip gut" turns brown. At that time it will penetrate all but the toughest of boots. Generally painfull to the point it''ll ruin your day. May result in serious problems for your dog. The locked & gated road provides access for cattlemen. There is some intermittant maintenence, usually in the Spring after the rain stops. Great cool season road with colorful wildflowers, grand vistas, with good wildlife sighting possibilites.
Right across from Democratic Hot Springs campground on the upper side. Take Hi-way 178 thru Bakersfield toward Lake Isabella. It's about a 20 min. drive up Kern Canyon and about halfway to the Lake. If you come to a cattle guard across the 3 lane hi-way, you have gone 3 miles to far. Turn around. It's on the higher South side of hi-way. Watch closely, it's marked by a Sequoia National Forest Sign, "Cow Flat Rd" but between 2 tight curves when you are watching the road! You can pull off safetly and park in the good size turn out 50 yds down the hi-way from entrace.
Summary: It is a fun trail. The first three miles are tough as you climb about 1100'. After the climb it flattens out and is a fun ride. You can take the road all the way to brekenridge road if you like. Its a nice 13 mile one way ride with a lot of decents and climbs. Make sure you take plenty of water and something to eat because you will burn the calories.
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
4 of 5
4 of 5
3 of 5
