District 9 Bicycling Guide

Come ride from the desert to the Sierra!

About District 9

Caltrans District 9 manages the state highway system in Inyo, Mono, and Eastern Kern County. Our district contains both the highest and lowest points in the California state highway system from 9,943 ft at Tioga Pass to -242 ft in Death Valley. Our paved highways transition from the high alpine lakes, canyons and passes of the Sierra Nevada through the Great Basin’s high desert sagebrush down to the Mojave Desert’s vast expanses of rugged mountains, canyons, salt flats and dunes. There are some 959 miles of paved highways in our district and we believe they contain some of the most spectacular scenery in California. Grab your helmet and hop on your bike. We invite you to come explore!

Picture of Hwy 168E approaching Big Pine after a thrilling descent from Westguard Pass

Hwy 168E approaching Big Pine after a thrilling descent from Westguard Pass

Inyo, Mono, and Eastern Kern County- where will YOU ride?

There are three counties that make up District 9 and each one has its own unique defining characteristics. Mono County is the northernmost county in our district and lies at the highest altitude with many mountain peaks that hold snow year round. While Mono County has many beautiful rides in the summer, many of these same roads are closed in the winter due to snowfall. Inyo County is the largest county in our district and is centrally located spanning rugged country from Death Valley to the Sierra Nevada. Parts of Inyo County are blazing hot in the summer, but high altitude passes offer a scenic escape from the desert below. Eastern Kern County is located at the south end of our district and covers a transitional region from the Mojave Desert to the Southern Sierra Nevada.

Hwy 158- the June Lake Loop is ablaze with fall colors every year from mid-September to mid-October

Hwy 158- the June Lake Loop is ablaze with fall colors every year from mid-September to mid-October

Mono County

Mono County is located in the northern part of District 09 with elevations ranging from 4,500 ft in the Owens Valley to 14,252 ft atop White Mountain Peak. The scenery ranges from high desert sagebrush valleys to snow-covered Sierra peaks. Popular destination in Mono County include Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Yosemite National Park accessed via Tioga Pass, Bodie State Historic Site, and Mono Lake. While the population of Mono County is only 14,000, there are charming communities located roughly every 30-50 miles providing food, lodging, gas, and services.

Hwy 108 descending off of Sonora Pass 9,623 ft

Hwy 108 descending off of Sonora Pass 9,623 ft

    Mono County Suggested Rides

    Click on each orange line to learn more about that particular suggested route. Tap the View on Web Map Link attribute to learn the details and see photos of specific routes.

    Weather can be extreme in Mono County with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees on the valley floors during the summer and dipping below zero in the winter with heavy snow. Highways 89, 108, 120, 158, 203, and 270 all have partial to full closures in the winter (usually November through May/June) so cyclists must plan appropriate rides due to weather. When it is too snowy or cold in Mono County, warmer temperatures and snow-free roads can typically be found in Inyo or Eastern Kern Counties. However, when the summer temperatures of those two are unpleasantly warm, Mono County's higher altitude will remain cooler and rideable nearly all summer. Note- the average elevation of Mono County is 7,774 ft so riders coming from sea level will notice riding is far more challenging than usual. Precautions to prevent altitude sickness include drinking lots of water to stay hydrated, getting enough sleep, and easing into normal physical activity levels.

    Inyo County

    Image of Hwy 168 climbing into Inyo National Forest after leaving Bishop with the Sierra in the background

    Hwy 168 climbs into Inyo National Forest after leaving Bishop

    Image of Hwy 127 near Death Valley

    Hwy 127 near Death Valley

    Inyo County touches Mono County's southern border and extends from the Sierra Nevada mountains to Death Valley. The county holds both the lowest and highest points in the Lower 48 states between Death Valley's elevations reaching -282 ft below sea level and Mt. Whitney towering 14,505 ft high. Summertime temperature are often over 100°F in the Owens Valley and can exceed 120°F in Death Valley. While summertime riding can be challenging to downright dangerous in the desert, Hwy 168 climbs to cooler, more mountainous areas in the northern half of the district.

    Inyo County Suggested Rides

    Click on each orange line to learn more about that particular suggested route. Tap the View on Web Map Link attribute to learn the details and see photos of specific routes.

    Kern County

    image of Hwy 178 near Onyx as it follows the Kern River Valley

    Hwy 178 near Onyx as it follows the Kern River Valley

    Kern County is the southernmost county in our District and contains our largest cities and busiest highways. Out in the mountains and canyons beyond the towns of Ridgecrest and Tehachapi, this county offers some scenic riding where the Mojave Desert meets the Sierra Nevada. Here, one can find themselves riding through Joshua Trees just miles before crossing into a southern Sierra forest.

    Of note in Kern County is that there are three segments of highway on CA 14 and 58 that are at freeway standards where cycling is prohibited due to the California Vehicle Code. There are readily accessible detours for each of these three segments and a map at the end of this segment will highlight those areas.

    Image of Hwy 178 near the Hwy 14 junction showing a ride through one of the densest Joshua Tree forests along our state highways.

    Hwy 178 near the Hwy 14 junction offers a ride through one of the densest Joshua Tree forests along our state highways.

    Kern County Suggested Rides

    Click on each orange line to learn more about that particular suggested route. Tap the View on Web Map Link attribute to learn the details and see photos of specific routes.

    Bicycles Prohibited Kern County Highway Segments

    Due to their freeway level status, certain parts of CA 14 and 58 are off-limits to bicycles and pedestrians. The specific text of the prohibition can be found in the California Vehicle Code  here . For cyclists traveling these highways, detours on local roads and non-freeway standard state highways are available. The below map will detail these alternatives.

    This map highlights the two sections of Hwy 58 and one section of Hwy 14 where bikes are prohibited and shows the designated bicycle alternative routes. 

    Hwy 168E approaching Big Pine after a thrilling descent from Westguard Pass

    Hwy 158- the June Lake Loop is ablaze with fall colors every year from mid-September to mid-October

    Hwy 108 descending off of Sonora Pass 9,623 ft

    Hwy 168 climbs into Inyo National Forest after leaving Bishop

    Hwy 127 near Death Valley

    Hwy 178 near Onyx as it follows the Kern River Valley

    Hwy 178 near the Hwy 14 junction offers a ride through one of the densest Joshua Tree forests along our state highways.