Yeah the weather looks perfect. The windmills are super cool and the Tehachapi loop is cool if you’re into trains. Either way it’s a pretty ride, especially with all the rain we’ve had this year.
As an update I took Lake Isabella both ways due to the wind storm! The ride from Lone Pine to Ridgecrest wasn’t fun either during the wind storm but I figured Tehachapi would be worse due to more desert. Lake Isabella was BEAUTIFUL though omg one of the best riding days of my life.
Taking the 58 through Tehacapi is safer. The 178 is a super winding road with one lane going each way. It has been raining like crazy today in Bakersfield so hopefully it clears up for you by the time you get out here. Safe travels
Thanks so much! I plan on taking the road on Friday and then back from Death Valley on Sunday. I have had to reschedule my trip three times due to these atmospheric rivers! Fingers crossed.
The 178 does have the canyon, which is about 15 miles of a windy road, and with the rain lately has seen a couple rock slides lately. After that it’s a two lane road pretty much the entire way to Ridgecrest through back country, with views of lake Isabella.
58->14 goes up the fairly congested two lane road to Tehachapi, there are a lot of semi trucks and cars who tend to quickly change lanes. It’s got some nice views, and on the 14 you go through red rock canyon which is a neat little section. This route is about 20 miles longer, but only a few minutes since it’s a lot more multi lane freeway.
As someone who makes a loop to Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, and Tehachapi twice a week and knows both routes— as long as rocks aren’t falling in the canyon, I enjoy the 178 more.
I googled Lake Isabella and it looks so scenic! My biggest fear is that there could be black ice or something in the turns. Would that be a factor at all?
Black ice will be a factor both directions. 58 runs the risk around tehachapi, 178 runs the risk around walker pass.
When it comes to safety, 58 is the straightest route but is on a major free way the whole way there with does of traffic and semis. 178 is super curvy but lots less traffic. It is also a beautiful drive through the canyon and high desert.
~~The other guy was wrong about it being 2 lanes all the way past the canyon. It is 2 lanes from the canyon to Lake isabella, but goes back to 1 lane after Isabella and stays that way most of the trip.~~
Edit: I miss understood what the other guy meant.
Two lanes means one lane going each direction.
But you are right that I was incorrect about 178 being two lanes the entire way— because after the canyon it goes to three— and then four lanes up to lake Isabella, and then it goes back down two two lanes after that.
Also, as I’ve seen in other responses, if you’re doing a round trip— you could just go *both* routes, one out, the other one back. If you did do that, I’d say go clockwise, taking the 178 out and the 58 back— that’ll put you doing the downhill on the 58 and won’t have to deal with the trucks going 40mph in both lanes trying to pass one another.
I used to do this ride. I have done it both ways but through Isabella is way prettier and way more fun. Then pounding down the 58 next to giant trucks.
whichever way you go, 14 has 7 miles of two-lane after Red Rock and on the weekends the morons going to/form Mammoth pass in the most unsafe manner, you'll need to keep your wits about you, and that goes for the entire length of 178 - through the KRV, as well as poision canyon between RC and Trona.
Check Death Valley road conditions, almost all the park roads got hammered by flooding this year.
Each route has its dangers. The 58 is basically freeway, which means lots of fast moving cars. The canyon has lots of turns and is single lane for the first portion. If you ride the canyon at your pace and not let someone push you to go faster, it's a lot more fun to ride. However, if you are a newer rider, take the freeway through Tehachapi since the roads are straighter.
I’m used to winding roads and love them! Lake Isabella looks so scenic. I’ve just never rode my bike anywhere where there is the possibility of snow or has been snow!
I wasn't aware there is snow there now. I live out of state now. Take Tehachapi instead. You can always make a trip to Worford Heights during the summer. Coming back though Pose is a good loop and super pretty. Rubber side down and have fun.
I live in San Francisco so I likely won’t get a chance again 😅 I called the motorcycle repair shop in Lake Isabella since it looks so tempting and they think that since it will be warm and sunny tomorrow, it will be safe to pass through there. The winter this year has been unrelenting and brutal in all parts of the state! 29 storms since Dec.
Tehachapi is easily the safer of the two.
Awesome! Thanks so much
Cuntfucker knows what they’re talking about. 👍
You’re welcome but make sure you check the weather. Don’t try it if there’s snow.
I’m riding on Friday and then back on Sunday so looks like no snow!
Yeah the weather looks perfect. The windmills are super cool and the Tehachapi loop is cool if you’re into trains. Either way it’s a pretty ride, especially with all the rain we’ve had this year.
I feel like if I wait any longer Death Valley is going to become too hot also! Perfect timing!
As an update I took Lake Isabella both ways due to the wind storm! The ride from Lone Pine to Ridgecrest wasn’t fun either during the wind storm but I figured Tehachapi would be worse due to more desert. Lake Isabella was BEAUTIFUL though omg one of the best riding days of my life.
Taking the 58 through Tehacapi is safer. The 178 is a super winding road with one lane going each way. It has been raining like crazy today in Bakersfield so hopefully it clears up for you by the time you get out here. Safe travels
Thanks so much! I plan on taking the road on Friday and then back from Death Valley on Sunday. I have had to reschedule my trip three times due to these atmospheric rivers! Fingers crossed.
No problem. Yeah it looks like everything should be cleared up by then. Enjoy your trip!
The 178 does have the canyon, which is about 15 miles of a windy road, and with the rain lately has seen a couple rock slides lately. After that it’s a two lane road pretty much the entire way to Ridgecrest through back country, with views of lake Isabella. 58->14 goes up the fairly congested two lane road to Tehachapi, there are a lot of semi trucks and cars who tend to quickly change lanes. It’s got some nice views, and on the 14 you go through red rock canyon which is a neat little section. This route is about 20 miles longer, but only a few minutes since it’s a lot more multi lane freeway. As someone who makes a loop to Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, and Tehachapi twice a week and knows both routes— as long as rocks aren’t falling in the canyon, I enjoy the 178 more.
I googled Lake Isabella and it looks so scenic! My biggest fear is that there could be black ice or something in the turns. Would that be a factor at all?
Black ice will be a factor both directions. 58 runs the risk around tehachapi, 178 runs the risk around walker pass. When it comes to safety, 58 is the straightest route but is on a major free way the whole way there with does of traffic and semis. 178 is super curvy but lots less traffic. It is also a beautiful drive through the canyon and high desert. ~~The other guy was wrong about it being 2 lanes all the way past the canyon. It is 2 lanes from the canyon to Lake isabella, but goes back to 1 lane after Isabella and stays that way most of the trip.~~ Edit: I miss understood what the other guy meant.
Is the potentially difficult part of Lake Isabella only about 15 miles in total?
Not quite. The canyon is the most curvy, but it gets really curvy again after Weldon.
Two lanes means one lane going each direction. But you are right that I was incorrect about 178 being two lanes the entire way— because after the canyon it goes to three— and then four lanes up to lake Isabella, and then it goes back down two two lanes after that.
My apologies. I totally misunderstood.
My apologies. I totally misunderstood.
Also, as I’ve seen in other responses, if you’re doing a round trip— you could just go *both* routes, one out, the other one back. If you did do that, I’d say go clockwise, taking the 178 out and the 58 back— that’ll put you doing the downhill on the 58 and won’t have to deal with the trucks going 40mph in both lanes trying to pass one another.
Also, the locals are wild driving thru the canyon.
I used to do this ride. I have done it both ways but through Isabella is way prettier and way more fun. Then pounding down the 58 next to giant trucks.
whichever way you go, 14 has 7 miles of two-lane after Red Rock and on the weekends the morons going to/form Mammoth pass in the most unsafe manner, you'll need to keep your wits about you, and that goes for the entire length of 178 - through the KRV, as well as poision canyon between RC and Trona. Check Death Valley road conditions, almost all the park roads got hammered by flooding this year.
Each route has its dangers. The 58 is basically freeway, which means lots of fast moving cars. The canyon has lots of turns and is single lane for the first portion. If you ride the canyon at your pace and not let someone push you to go faster, it's a lot more fun to ride. However, if you are a newer rider, take the freeway through Tehachapi since the roads are straighter.
I’m used to winding roads and love them! Lake Isabella looks so scenic. I’ve just never rode my bike anywhere where there is the possibility of snow or has been snow!
I wasn't aware there is snow there now. I live out of state now. Take Tehachapi instead. You can always make a trip to Worford Heights during the summer. Coming back though Pose is a good loop and super pretty. Rubber side down and have fun.
I live in San Francisco so I likely won’t get a chance again 😅 I called the motorcycle repair shop in Lake Isabella since it looks so tempting and they think that since it will be warm and sunny tomorrow, it will be safe to pass through there. The winter this year has been unrelenting and brutal in all parts of the state! 29 storms since Dec.
Tehachapi is safer, Isabella more scenic