Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail Under Wind Turbines

| | , ,

The Cameron Ridge Segment of the Pacific Crest Trail is a 6.5 mile stretch of trail that starts on Cameron Rd and ends on Tehachapi Willow Springs Rd between the cities of Mojave and Tehachapi. This trail takes hikers right up to the wind turbines of the Alta Wind Energy Center. Hiking this trail in late spring will allow you to rub shoulders with PCT thru-hikers making their way from Mexico to Canada.

In this guide, I’m going to show you how to start out at the Cameron Rd trailhead, walk underneath the wind turbines and return to your car for a quick out-and-back hike. It’s also possible to do a point-to-point 6.5 mile hike from Cameron Rd to Tehachapi Willow Springs Rd with two cars or a pick up. If you’re up for a 13 mile hike, you can do that entire stretch out and back.

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail


Directions And GPS Tracks:

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail


Key Points:

  • Distance: 6.2 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 1327 ft
  • Minimum Elevation: 3900 ft
  • Maximum Elevation: 4771 ft
  • Time: 2 hours
  • Difficulty: (2/5)
  • Dog Friendly: Yes
  • Permit Required: No
  • Parking: Free parking located along Cameron Rd near the trailhead
  • Weather: This hike can be brutally hot in the summer, and can also have snow and ice in the winter. Expect wind year round.
  • Trail Condition: Buffed out single track
  • Cell Phone Reception: Very good

Make sure to hike with the right gear. See my current hiking gear list. 


Hike Map And Elevation Profile:


Hike Description:

0.0 Miles- Starting at the Cameron Rd trailhead, make your way up past the first PCT sign and pass through the cattle gate.

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail
The PCT Logo
Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail
Pass Through The Gate

The first stretch of trail on this hike is a series of switchbacks that head up towards Cameron Ridge. The elevation gains pretty quickly, and it won’t be long until you’re treated with views of the Alta Wind Energy Center.

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail
Heading Uphill
Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail
Dogs On The Go

1.3 Miles- You’ll cross over a footbridge that covers a rain rut on the side on the canyon wall.

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail

Shortly after crossing the bridge, you’ll see a bench that offers some pretty amazing views of the canyon below. This is a great place to stop if you’re looking for a short hike. For those wanting to see the wind turbines up close, keep hiking.

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail

1.65 Miles- You’ll see a PCT specific sign with signs pointing to Canada and Mexico. You’ll pass through a gate shortly after seeing this sign. The massive turbines will be amazingly close from here on out.

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail
Pass This Gate
Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail
Wind Turbines

2.0 Miles- The PCT criss-crosses with a large dirt access road up on Cameron Ridge, but the PCT is really easy to follow and well marked.

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail

It’s one thing to see the wind turbines from the highway in Mojave or Tehachapi, seeing them up close is a completely different experience. The size is impossible to bring across in a photograph, and the whiring sound of a turbine in action is difficult to put into words.

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail

3.0 Miles- At around the 3-mile mark you’ll have sweeping views east towards the city of Mojave and the high desert. This is where you’ll get some of the best wind turbine views in the area. This is also a great place to turn around if you’re not planning on doing the entire Cameron Ridge Segment.

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail

Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail

Previous

The Ring Road Video: An Adventure in Iceland

Gear Review: La Sportiva TX3 Approach Shoe For Hiking

Next

6 thoughts on “Hiking To Cameron Ridge On The Pacific Crest Trail Under Wind Turbines”

  1. There is something about this part of the PCT that is extremely fascinating to me. It’s weirdly romantic and yet treacherous at the same time. I am looking forward to this section when I hopefully hike the PCT in 2020 or 2021.

    Reply
    • The stretch through the desert is as you say “weirdly romantic and yet treacherous at the same time”. Especially in the brutally hot summer months. I do a lot of section hiking on the PCT, and have just started to explore more of this section. Let me know if you decide on 2020 or 2021, I can do a gear drop for you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d