Inyo Crest Trail

The Inyo Crest runs the spine of the Sierra Nevada between the Alabama Hills and Sequoia National Park, offering some of California’s most spectacular high-country driving. The route follows old mining roads past Shepherd Creek and over Taboose Pass, with constant views of Mount Whitney and the Owens Valley 8,000 feet below. Technical sections include loose shale switchbacks above tree line and narrow shelf roads carved into granite faces where mistakes aren’t forgiven.

High clearance 4×4 required with good tires—this isn’t technical rock crawling but demands respect for exposure and weather. Best accessed July through October when snow clears above 10,000 feet. No permits needed, but check current conditions with Inyo National Forest. Limited camping at established sites; water sources are seasonal. This delivers Sierra Nevada grandeur without the Rubicon crowds, testing your nerve on exposure rather than pure technical difficulty. Real mountain driving where weather calls the shots.