This trip is an annual favorite and has a lot to offer. Last year I cancelled it due to an Extreme Heat Advisory — so this year I’m moving it up a couple of weeks to improve our chances of cooler weather. Come for a night, two nights, or make it a long day trip.
Book a rafting trip, bring some fishing poles, rent some mountain bikes, go for a hike, or just enjoy some small town living. The formula is simple: book a plane and show up.
For rafting I recommend Sierra South — they have trips for every thrill level, plus rock climbing, tubing, and mountain biking. I may post a group rafting option once I get a better feel for numbers and interest.
There is an onsite campground with warm showers. The fee is approximately $15/night per plane — someone will typically come around to collect, or you can pay at the restaurant. If camping isn’t your thing, there are other accommodations with four walls and plumbing in town.
There is a restaurant on the field open for breakfast and lunch every day (occasionally dinner). It’s small and service is slow, but it does the job if you’re not in a hurry. There are several other spots in town, and bringing your own camping food is always an option.
Transportation is severely limited. We’ve been lucky in the past to have access to a sweet ’90s model Astrovan, although it always looks like it won’t make it to next year — so even that is never guaranteed. Rafting outfitters can often pick up groups. There are sometimes bikes available at the airport, it’s usually not too hard to get a ride into town from a local, and the two mile walk to town isn’t so bad either.
Airport Notes: If you’ve never flown into L05, it would be a great idea to go with someone who has. It’s located in a valley and can be tricky with surrounding terrain, especially if winds pick up — which they often do. Bakersfield (BFL) is a good alternate; you can rent a car from there if conditions are beyond your comfort zone. Don’t force it. The airport has a fuel truck on the field — if you’ll need fuel, call ahead to confirm availability and fill up the day you land rather than waiting until departure. The airport is not lit.
Please add yourself and your crew to the Google Sheets roster so I know who to expect and can share updates. I typically organize a group dinner on Saturday night at Ewings in town — RSVP on the spreadsheet if you want to be guaranteed a spot.
RSVP →