Sorrell Peak

Sorrell Peak, taken from Butterbredt, Photo by Mars Bonfire.

Peak Name

Sorrell Peak
02H

Elevation

7704

 feet

Status

active

Region

Southern Sierra South Of Hwy 178

Range

Piute Mountains

Nearby peaks

Location

35.4174581,-118.2892455

Description

Sorrell Peak is a short easy walk in a pretty area after a long drive. It is usually hiked in combination with Piute and Weldon in a very long dirt road driving day.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Route 1
Elevation Gain
400′
Navigation Difficulty
Easy
Distance
3/4 mile round trip cross-country
Estimated time
1 hour round trip
Route Rating
Class 1, easy, class 2 near summit
Leader Rating Required
“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

Lake Isabella approach:
From the intersection of SR 178 and SR 155 in the town of Lake Isabella, drive south a short distance to Lake Isabella Boulevard. Turn right.
Continue to a fork with the Caliente-Bodfish Road (about 3.0 miles from SR 178). Turn left.
Continue about 2.7 miles on the Caliente-Bodfish Road to a fork (dirt) on the left. Turn left. This is the Saddle Springs Road. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 5.7 miles, a wide area in the road. This is the parking area for Bald Eagle Peak.
At 10.6 miles, turnoff for the Saddle Springs Campground, keep straight.
At 15.2 miles, a fork, keep to the left.
At 17.0 miles, fork to the left. This is the turnoff for Piute Lookout. Keep straight.
At 20.4 miles, fork with the French Meadow Road, keep right.
At 22.5 miles, fork with Jawbone Canyon Road on the right, keep straight.
At 23.7 miles, a fork, keep to the right.
At 24.7 miles, sign reading “Sorrell Peak 4 miles” with a road joining from the right (east). Turn right. Reset your odometer and go as follows:
At 0.4 mile, a fork, keep to the right.
Keep on the main road ignoring any forks until you get to a small parking area (7300′) at 4.1 miles on the right. Park here.

Mojave approach:
From Mojave, go north on SR 14 for 19.5 miles to Jawbone Canyon Road on the left. Turn left, note your odometer and go as follows:
At 6.2 miles, fork. This is the parking area for Cross Mountain. Turn right.
At 14.7 miles, saddle. This is the parking area for Butterbredt Peak.
At 17.9 miles, a fork, keep to the right.
At 18.2 miles, fork. Turn right on the Kelso Valley Road.
At 26.3 miles, fork with Piute Mountain Road on the left, turn left.
At 33.6 miles, sign reading “Sorrell Peak 4 miles” with a road joining from the left (east). Turn left and reset your odometer.
At 0.4 mile, a fork, keep to the right.
Keep on the main road ignoring any forks until you get to a small parking area (7300′) at 4.1 miles on the right. Park here.From the intersection of SR 178 and SR 155 in the town of Lake Isabella, drive south a short distance to Lake Isabella Boulevard. Turn right.
Continue to a fork with the Caliente-Bodfish Road (about 3.0 miles from SR 178). Turn left.
Continue about 2.7 miles on the Caliente-Bodfish Road to a fork (dirt) on the left. Turn left. This is the Saddle Springs Road. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 5.7 miles, a wide area in the road. This is the parking area for Bald Eagle Peak.
At 10.6 miles, turnoff for the Saddle Springs Campground, keep straight.
At 15.2 miles, a fork, keep to the left.
At 17.0 miles, fork to the left. This is the turnoff for Piute Lookout. Keep straight.
At 20.4 miles, fork with the French Meadow Road, keep right.
At 22.5 miles, fork with Jawbone Canyon Road on the right, keep straight.
At 23.7 miles, a fork, keep to the right.
At 24.7 miles, sign reading “Sorrell Peak 4 miles” with a road joining from the right (east). Turn right. Reset your odometer and go as follows:
At 0.4 mile, a fork, keep to the right.
Keep on the main road ignoring any forks until you get to a small parking area (7300′) at 4.1 miles on the right. Park here.

Hiking route

The rocky summit is visible from here through the trees to the east.
Hike up the slope heading for the ridge just to the left of the peak.
Turn right and head up to the peak keeping to the left of the rocks. The register will be on the first prominent high point.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Dirt

Google Maps Link to Trailhead 

Additional Peak Information

Alternate route: Drive about 0.2 mile further (south) along the road. Hike up the slope heading for the ridge just to the right of the peak. Turn left and head up to the peak keeping to the right of the rocks. Notes: The dirt roads are seasonal. Saddle Springs Campground has water but no other facilities.

Nearby Peaks

Backus Peak
Owens Peak
Black Mountain #5
Morris Peak

External Links

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