Domeland Trail-34E15

Overview

The first third of the Domeland Trail is reasonably maintained and only intermediately difficult. The eastern 6 miles are not maintained and are very difficult to follow. It leads to the South Fork of the Kern, which may be difficult, to impossible, to cross until mid-season. <br><br>The trail is most commonly used for access to Bart Dome, a rock climbing favorite. The trail also leads to off-trail routes going to other major rock formations.<br><br>The Domeland Trail branches off the Woodpecker Trail #34E08 about 1.6 miles north of the junction with the North Manter Trail-34E14. The beginning so closely parallels the Woodpecker Trail #34E08 that there are two signs, one at the immediate junction and one after about 100 yards. Unless it is early in the season or it is a wet year, you should probably get water at, or before, the junction. <br><br>The trail climbs 150 feet over 0.5 miles and then drops down a bit to follow Tibbets Creek. Tibbits Creek has at least three branches that join within in a short distance. All three had some water in mid-June 2019, but in other years, they may be dry by that date. <br><br>At the 1.3 mile point, the trail veers away from Tibbets Creek to climb about 100 feet to a striking saddle between Bart Dome and a set of unnamed domes. Before the saddle, there is a good climbers campsite under Bart Dome about 100 feet in elevation above the trail. Also before the saddle, there is a remarkable waterfall-like pile of white crystal rock about 10 feet high and 30 feet wide. <br><br>After dropping about 200 feet from the saddle, you'll see "the golf ball," a 7-foot tall rock that resembles a golf ball on a narrow tee. This marks the end of the maintained trail. Shortly beyond this, an off-trail route stays high on a relatively flat ridge leading to points overlooking Radiant Dome, North Domes, and Stegosaurus Fin. <br><br>From shortly below the golf ball, the trail drops only about 150 feet over the next mile, and then it veers back to follow first a tributary and then Tibbets Creek its

Trail Stats

Photos

Remarkable waterfall-like pile of crystal rock easily visible from the Domeland Trail. Bart Dome in the background.

Remarkable waterfall-like pile of crystal rock easily visible from the Domeland Trail. Bart Dome in the background.

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