11.1 hr
Overview
Get to Kernville, which is approximately 50 miles northeast of Bakersfield. You may want to camp the night before (many commercial campgrounds are available) so you can shuttle up early the next day. Mountain & River Adventures, located at 15775 Sierra Way in Kernville, offers shuttles and tours. Drive / Shuttle up to Sherman Pass. The trail begins directly south from the large paved area. <br><br>Right away the trail drops down on loose dirt and woop-de-woops. Be aware, motorcycle use is also allowed on this trail. There is some climbing in the next 2-1/4 miles before you get a little break overlooking Mosquito Meadows. After the meadow you have a mile long grinder up to a saddle. This is where you'll remember that you are above 9,000 feet. The saddle at 9,400 feet is a great place to break and knock back some snacks. <br><br>From the saddle you're going to drop down to Big Meadow. This is one of the most technical sections of the ride. Despite the big drop of The Plunge, it is not the technical part of the ride. The descents leading to it have the drops, rocks, trees, roots, and other obstacles.<br><br>You'll know once you arrive at Big Meadow. It is quite striking in contrast to the rest of the ride as it is so big and flat. This is also where you ride on your first section of fire road. You'll follow the fire road around the north and west sides of the meadow. There are single tracks that peel off, but try to stay within sight of the road. Don't find yourself going over barbed wire IN to the meadow. Once you are around the meadow on the South side, you'll intersect with a fire road that goes left to a horse staging area.<br><br>From here you can either go to the left and downhill and catch the Cannell trail when it crosses the fire road (hard to spot) and then go up a brutal section of singletrack that is a hike; or you can stay to the right and climb the fire road up. The Cannell trail intersects (crosses) the road after the brutal singletrack uphill section.<br><br>Now rejoining the Cannell Trail s
Trail Stats
41.1 km
523 m
2844 m
855 m
—
Photos
Parking lot at Sherman Pass
Parking lot at Sherman Pass
Please close the gate.
Please close the gate.
Start at the trailhead sign
Start at the trailhead sign
Cruisin' through the pines.
Cruisin' through the pines.
Great spot for a break. Especially if you live only slightly above sea-level.
Great spot for a break. Especially if you live only slightly above sea-level.
Buckle up - you're at the start of The Plunge
Buckle up - you're at the start of The Plunge
Just shy of Big Meadow
Just shy of Big Meadow
Early climbing, we've only just started
Early climbing, we've only just started
Less than four miles to go, things can get really hot and there is no shade.
Less than four miles to go, things can get really hot and there is no shade.
Bottom of Cannell Meadow, right near the Rock... almost to The Plunge. No, I really mean it this time.
Bottom of Cannell Meadow, right near the Rock... almost to The Plunge. No, I really mean it this time.
A few miles into the Plunge.
A few miles into the Plunge.
Early on The Plunge
Early on The Plunge
Taking a breather toward the end of the plunge
Taking a breather toward the end of the plunge
Southern Sierras, Cannell Trail can be sub 60 degrees in July at 9200 feet
Southern Sierras, Cannell Trail can be sub 60 degrees in July at 9200 feet
Making a muddy, but rideable meadow crossing.
Making a muddy, but rideable meadow crossing.
On The Plunge after the final 100 yard scramble-ascent to perch at this awesome view!!
On The Plunge after the final 100 yard scramble-ascent to perch at this awesome view!!
Dropping down between the saddle and Big Meadow
Dropping down between the saddle and Big Meadow
View across a big meadow from the Cannell Trail.
View across a big meadow from the Cannell Trail.
Get ready for a wild ride! 5k of elevation loss in ~8 miles. Rocks, switchbacks and chunder oh my!
Get ready for a wild ride! 5k of elevation loss in ~8 miles. Rocks, switchbacks and chunder oh my!
Fast and flowy on upper Cannell.
Fast and flowy on upper Cannell.
Halfway up the steepest climb...rocky, off camber
Halfway up the steepest climb...rocky, off camber
Great alpine scenery along the route!
Great alpine scenery along the route!
Cannell Plunge Moonscape.
Cannell Plunge Moonscape.
Leaving Big Meadow fire road climb
Leaving Big Meadow fire road climb
Cannell creek was still flowing in June, we even spotted a little trout up there.
Cannell creek was still flowing in June, we even spotted a little trout up there.
Bombin' it!
Bombin' it!
View of Big Meadow
View of Big Meadow
View from the Plunge to Lake Isabella
View from the Plunge to Lake Isabella