Mountain Bike Rides in the Kern River Valley and Southern Sierra Mill Creek Trail

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A fast and fun downhill shuttle ride in the Breckenridge Mountains.

Carving Mill Creek Trail.
A flowy ribbon of forested singletrack.

Black Diamond

 

THE STATS

  • 8.2 Miles
  • Effort: 150 feet of climbing
  • Thrill: 4250 feet of drop
  • Ride: Shuttle Ride
  • (An out 'n' back ride from the lower trailhead is an option)
  • Tread: Motorized Multi-Use Trail
  • Top Elevation: 6750ft
  • Lower Elevation: 2400 ft
  • Land: Sequoia National Forest
  • Towns: Haviliah, Breckenridge Mtn, Lake Isabella
  • Map: Kern River Sierra Outdoor Recreation Map, 6th ed

 

UPDATE! April, 2021: Mill Creek Trail has had a ton of trail work done over the winter!! Although there was a a recent blowdown, with huge tree down over the first creek crossing.

The Ride

If you are looking for a smooth and fast downhill ride, Mill Creek Trail is an excellent choice.

Carving Mill Creek Trail.
Lovin it! Fall Colors on the Mill Creek Trail.

While a variety of riders have always loved this trail, its starting to attract a few downhillers who shuttle laps. Because of the long slow road access, having a designated shuttle driver is key on this one.

For a fantastic day of descent (about 9,000 ft), set up a double shuttle and ride both Mill Creek and Remington Ridge Trails.

The Details

This multi-Use motorized trail is popular with hikers and horsemen, who normally use the lower portion of the trail. Expect to see other users in the lower 3 miles of trail, especially in the Spring when the wildflowers are popping! Motorcycles are not commonly seen but they do use the trail.

Throughout the 4250 foot drop, the terrain changes from a lush pine and fir forest, to grassy ridgelines and into the oak-studded high desert terrain of the lower Kern River.

Snow shuts the trail down in the winter, but it is ridable for most of the Spring, Summer, and into late Fall.

Nearing the end of Mill Creek Trail.
The high-speed grassy ridge section.

The super-fun, fast and flowy section at the top leads into a section of tight switchbacks and down into the creek drainage. It ends above the Lower Kern River on the Kern Canyon Road.

Dont Miss:
The nearby Remington Ridge Trail makes for a excellent double shuttle.


Elevation Profile

Mill Creek Elevation Profile

Trailheads

The lower trailhead:

Take Highway 178 southwest from Lake Isabella about 14+ miles to Kern Canyon Road near the Democrat Fire Station. The trailhead is located 1.5 miles up the Kern Canyon Road.

The upper trailhead:

If you dropped a shuttle vehicle, return north on Hwy 178 and take the Bodfish exit #42. Turn Right on Lake Isabella Road, which will turn into Bodfish road. Drive 2.3 miles past the small historic town of Havilah, and go right on Breckenridge Road. Take this for about 9 miles, passing Lightners Flat (where Remington Ridge Trail starts). The signed trailhead is off the dirt road on the right near Squirrel Meadow. Start riding the dirt road up a little hill to the actual trailhead.

Forest on Mill Creek Trail Snake Pit Crash Keyesville Race
Group shuttles are the way to go. Green in the Spring!
Dropping into a vast land.

Nearby Activities