Tehachapi Pass Ridge Climb is a 17-mile out-and-back in the Tehachapi Mountains, east of the town of Tehachapi. From Highway 58, the route ascends the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to the top of a scenic ridge overlooking Waterfall Canyon. Within the first six miles, the trail gains over 2,000 feet of elevation, crossing through unique biodiversity and offering expansive views of the San Joaquin Valley and Mojave Desert. The challenging, yet easy-to-follow and well-maintained singletrack trail is great for runners, hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders looking for a solid climb.
Located between Los Angeles County and Kern County, the Tehachapi Mountains extend for approximately 40 miles and are part of California's Transverse Ranges (east-west trending ranges). Located between the Mojave Desert and the San Joaquin Valley, this range stretches from the southwest to the northeast connecting to the Sierra Nevada range.
The landscape is characterized by unobstructed views with corrugated hills, deep valleys, desert plains and distant mountain peaks. The trail travels through a diverse vegetative landscape including grasslands, desert scrub, juniper woodlands, pinyon-pine and oak woodlands.
WATER
You can find a crowd-sourced water report for all areas along the Pacific Crest Trail at https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/backcountry-basics/water/pct-water-report/.
WHEN TO GO
Even though this route is accessible year-round, it is best to avoid days of extreme heat.
CONSIDERATIONS
There is little shade and no water along the way. Visitors should plan to wear sun protective clothing and bring plenty of food and water. Make sure to store food and other scented items properly as this is also an active bear area.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Pacific Crest Trail Association
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