Chimney Peak Backcountry Byway — Canebrake Road to Chimney Peak via Lamont Peak Divide

Drop south off Highway 178 near Canebrake Road and you’re immediately in a different California — not the postcard version. This BLM byway climbs through the Piute Mountains into genuine Southern Sierra high desert, winding past the jagged volcanic plug of Chimney Peak itself before cresting the Lamont Peak divide at nearly 7,400 feet. The road is well-graded gravel most of the way to the Chimney Peak Recreation Area, then transitions to rougher two-track as you push toward the divide. Dispersed camping off the byway is first-come, first-served and genuinely remote — you may not see another soul midweek.

This is an easy-to-moderate run in dry conditions, accessible to most high-clearance 2WD rigs in summer, but rain turns the clay sections into a toboggan ride and winter snowpack closes the upper road entirely. Best season is April through October. No permit required. Fuel in Kernville or Ridgecrest before you leave — there’s nothing between those two towns on this route. Cell service drops to nothing past the Canebrake turnoff. Bring your own water; there are no reliable surface sources along the byway.