So what is the word on Lake Isabella, is it a nice getaway? How cold is it in late Dec and early Jan. How cold is the water in summer? How much off roading is there? Kind of interested in the area because I am tired of going to Havasu and dealing with the crowds.

There is riding in the mountains to the east (Piutes), but you have to truck the bikes up there or be dual sported. I see lots of people skiing in the lake in the Summer, must be a good place to go. Im sure its pretty cold up there right now.

Dont know about water temps.

i have a cabin in bodfish... just above isabella....... dec/ jan its cold brrrrrr
there is riding all over the place there but to get anywhere good its DS or trucking your bike there...i have seen big groups of DS'rs at the pizza joint there but when i went back by they were gone!
there isn't much shade around the lake and the wind blows alot there in the late afternoon.... alot of wind surfers go there the water temp is on the cool side it snow runoff... sometimes the lake gets crowded but nothing like havasu. if your into water skiing then mornings are usually better to ski..... if your into jet skis then it gets blow out in the afternoon and you can go for some wild rides
if you need any more info let me know and i will try and help!

From Isabella, can't you make your way down to Jawbone/Dove Springs??? (Better have a desert tank!)

If you are willing to drive a little, there is the Kennedy Meadows area nearby.

We stopped by the lake on a ride this year and it was pretty disgusting. It smelled bad, looked worse and had dead fish all over the bank and floating in the water.

drive805 said:

Hey drive805,

Is your cabin in bodfish or up in the mountains behind bodfish. My buddy has a cabin up in the mountains. It's 9 miles up that dirt road (Saddle Springs Rd?) off the Caliente Bodfish Rd.

We were up there 12/3 and it was butt cold on top of the mountain. Got down to 24 degrees with a dusting of snow.

Im headed for a ride in the piutes wed any chance there is much snow up there yet? I know the day is coming soon it will be closed till spring due to snow...any word?

...Is your cabin in bodfish or up in the mountains behind bodfish. My buddy has a cabin up in the mountains. It's 9 miles up that dirt road (Saddle Springs Rd?) off the Caliente Bodfish Rd.

Jklectric ..in bodfish about a mile or so from the store off caliente hwy(store is on the right turn left on the next street)..you know i have owned the place for ten years and right now i cant think of the street....

yes you can get to dovesprings from isabella but you have to go through the piutes and from what i understand its not an easy ride because the rains washed out the trails and downed some trees
or if your DS you can go walker pass from isabella it about 60miles

reconranger said:

How far is Kennedy Meadows from Isabella. Is it more than an hours drive from Kernville. I have been really interested in checking it out. I was thinking of going up there next season when it opens back up.

There's also a MX track across the road from the lake.

skoot22 said:

kennedy meadows should only be like a half hour from kernville-its just up the hill northeast of kernville

walent215 said:

Thanks alot for your reply. It is closer than I thought then.

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jawbone is not an easy ride if you want dirt only, DS can make it easier. it would be about 70 miles of dirt one way to get there. the chapperals have a DS trip from jawbone to isabella and back in one day, it's about a 170 mile loop. great ride!!

it is at least 30 minutes from lake isabella to the turn off to kennedy meadows and at least another 30 minutes up the hill to kennedy. it is certainly over 1 hour from isabella to kennedy.