Mountain or a Molehill?

Hooper Hill

The first time I hiked this trail was with a hiking group out of the KRV. It was my first hike with a group, and I have to say it was a great experience. Hiking with a group meant meeting other people that enjoy nature, and as an added bonus I learned some interesting information about the area and local history. All the ladies of the group were super friendly and I look forward to meeting up with them again soon!

To be honest, if it weren’t for the ladies of the hiking group, I’m not sure I would’ve completed this hike. This is not a hike for those with a fear of heights. Seeing others walking the trail made me feel a little more comfortable with the heights.

The trail itself was easy to find. Heading South on Caliente-Bodfish Road from Lake Isabella, the trailhead is on the right just after Piute Mountain Road. The trail is only a few feet from where the parking area.

The trail starts off at a decent incline. The trail is basically hard-packed dirt with a layer of small granite gravel. Almost immediately the views are great. I’m still getting winded pretty easily on inclines, so I just made sure to take breaks fairly regularly.

The down side to this trail is that very quickly, the trail gets narrow and there isn’t much between the side of the trail and the side of the hill and I am very not okay with heights. Add to that parts where the trail angles slightly downward to prevent washouts,

combined with the loose gravel, and there are a few spots the put my heart in my throat. The first time I hiked the trail I brought one hiking stick. The second time I brought both, and I was glad I did. They gave me a sense of stability that really helped me keep moving. If I had to guess I’d say there was maybe three spots that got a little hairy and if I hadn’t gone up with the Hiking Group the first time, I probably would have turned around. Instead, I focused on watching my footing and kept it slow and steady.

On the upside, after getting up the trail, the views of the surrounding area are spectacular. Hooper Hill offers views of the Kern River Valley, Kern Canyon, and Walker Basin. The trail covers the top of the ridge, though it can be hard to spot at times. If you get up there, make sure to go to both ends to take in the sights. It’s definitely worth it.

This is definitely a cool weather trail as there are almost no trees and no shade. I would avoid taking this trail if there was a chance of rain because of the steep parts, and would skip it on windy days or the late afternoon when the wind picks up, but overall, it’s a nice, mildly challenging trail with some rewarding views. If you feel up to it, make sure you’re wearing good shoes and bring your sticks!