Owens Peak Wilderness Road — Indian Wells Valley to Chimney Peak via Nine Mile Canyon
Sierra meets Mojave in a canyon nobody knows.
Nine Mile Canyon Road cuts north out of the Indian Wells Valley floor and climbs hard into the southern end of the Sierra Nevada, threading a tight canyon that forces you to earn every foot of elevation. The wash crossings pile up fast — expect six to ten depending on recent runoff — and the canyon walls close in around you as pinyon pine replaces creosote. The route eventually spills you onto the BLM backcountry bench near Chimney Peak, a dramatic volcanic spire rising above 7,990 feet that locals have been using as a landmark since the Kawaiisu people traversed these hills. From the bench you get a genuine 360 — Owens Valley north, Mojave south, Sierra crest west.
This is a high-clearance 4WD route with genuine rock ledges and washed-out sections. A lifted truck or capable SUV with skid plates is not optional. Stock rigs will bottom hard. Best run spring or fall — summer heat in the lower canyon is brutal and winter can drop snow on the upper bench. No permit required. No reliable water on route; carry at least four gallons. Cell service is gone once you drop into the canyon. Dispersed camping on BLM land is free and wide open. The payoff is complete solitude in terrain most people blow past on US-395 without knowing it exists.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7990 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Lifted 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Ridgecrest, CA |
| Land manager | BLM Ridgecrest Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this, or do I actually need a lift?
A stock rig will get hurt here. The canyon has embedded rock shelves and loose decomposed granite that demand real clearance — minimum 3-4 inches of lift with skid plates is not optional. Low-profile all-terrains on a stock truck will leave you dragging and possibly stranded 10 miles from nobody.
When does Nine Mile Canyon close or become impassable?
Summer (June–August) is brutal — triple-digit heat in the desert approach makes it genuinely dangerous and the upper sections can have unstable washouts post-monsoon. Winter snowpack above 5,000 ft closes the upper canyon, sometimes through February. Stick to March–May or September–November.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp out here?
No permit required for vehicle travel or dispersed camping — this is BLM Ridgecrest land. Campfires may require a California Campfire Permit (free at CAFirePermits.org), and check current fire restrictions with the BLM Ridgecrest Field Office before you go, especially in fall.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it hard?
The mid-canyon climb out of the Nine Mile Canyon drainage is the crux — you're picking lines up a rocky shelf road with loose scree on the edges and no room to recover sideways. It's not the steepness alone, it's the combination of off-camber angle, embedded boulders, and zero bailout if you choose the wrong line. Airing down to 18–20 PSI helps significantly.
Is there any water on trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are seasonal water crossings in the canyon but don't count on them for drinking water without filtration — treat everything. Fuel up in Ridgecrest before you leave; it's roughly 25–30 miles to the start and there's nothing resembling a gas station until you exit near Kernville or loop back. Carry extra fuel for an 18-mile technical run that will burn more than you think.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.