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Location: Kern County, about 7 miles northwest of Inyokern, 153 miles from Los Angeles

Maps

Nearby Peaks: Morris Peak, Mount Jenkins, Owens Peak

Distance: 2 miles round trip cross-country

Gain: 1600'

Time: 2-3 hours round trip

Rating: Class 3, moderate, climbing helmets required

Original: Al Campbell, December 1973

DRIVING ROUTE 1

• Take SR 14 to Mojave.
• Continue north on SR 14 to the intersection with SR 178 (Freeman Junction).
• Continue north on SR 14 another 5.3 miles to a dirt road on the left. Turn left. This is 0.4 mile past Indian Wells, with a lodge and brewery. SR 14 is under construction. It may be necessary to continue farther north and turn around, returning to the dirt road. Note your odometer and go as follows:
• At 2.6 miles, Powers Well on the left. Keep straight. This is a good camping spot.
• At 2.7 miles, fork. Turn right.
• At 3.2 miles, fork. Keep right. This is the turnoff for Owens Peak, Morris Peak and Mount Jenkins.
• Park in a parking area a short distance from the fork.

HIKING ROUTE 1

• From the parking area (3600'+), the peak is visible as the leftmost of several points. Hike up the slope through the saddle between the summit and the next point to its right.
• Continue around to the northeast side of the summit to a spiny ridge coming down from the summit.
• Scramble up onto this ridge, turn left, and follow it up toward the summit.
• Soon you will see two slots coming down from the summit. Follow the left slot through some easy class 3 rock up to the summit.

Alternatively, it is possible to hike to the left of the summit and go around the peak to the spiny ridge as described above.

Note: HPS policy requires the possession and use of a climbing helmet on Class 3 terrain or where the hazard of rockfall is present.

Distance: 1.3 miles round trip cross-country

Gain: 800'

Time: 1.5-2.5 hours round trip

Rating: Class 3, moderate, climbing helmets required

Original: Bill Simpson & Virginia Simpson, October 2018

DRIVING ROUTE 2

• Take SR 14 to Mojave.
• Continue north on SR 14 to the intersection with SR 178 (Freeman Junction).
• Continue north on SR 14 another 5.3 miles to a dirt road (SE 152) on the left. Turn left. This is 0.2 mile past Indian Wells, with a lodge and brewery. Note your odometer and go as follows:
• At 1.4 miles, turn right onto SE 147.
• After about 100 feet, turn left onto SE 183.
• At 2.0 miles, fork. Keep straight.
• At 2.5 miles, park in a parking area at trailhead (near peak 4475).

HIKING ROUTE 2

• From the parking area (4350'), the peak is visible as the rightmost of several points. Hike initially down but mostly up the slope to a spiny ridge coming down to the right of the summit.
• Continue to the summit as per Route 1.

Note: 4WD vehicles may be necessary for driving up SE 183 to the trailhead.

During the winter of 2023, the dirt road (SE 183) suffered serious erosion and may not be passable. If you want to proceed on this Route, prior to conditions improving, be prepared to hike. Hiking the road adds an additional 2.5 miles round trip and 1200' gain.

Note: HPS policy requires the possession and use of a climbing helmet on Class 3 terrain or where the hazard of rockfall is present.

ALTERNATE ROUTES

It is possible to hike up to the spiny ridge from any convenient parking area near the peak. It is suggested that a Wilderness map is obtained to be sure that you do not violate the Wilderness boundaries.

NOTE

Five Fingers, Owens Peak, Morris Peak, and Mount Jenkins are all in the Owens Peak Wilderness. At the date of this guide no permit is required.

Learn more about Five Fingers.

Please report any corrections or changes to the Mountain Records Chair.