Getting to Joaquin Rocks

Joaquín Rock is located near the southwest corner of Fresno County in the BLM's Clear Creek Management Area. Visitors get to Joaquín Rocks by driving through the Clear Creek Management Area to the Wright Mountain trailhead and then hike the last 6 miles. The hike from Wright Mountain to Joaquín Rocks is about 5 miles on a good dirt road with three major elevation changes. The last mile is along a narrow hiking path up a slight incline.

Although a dirt road passes within a mile of Joaquín Rocks, the Bureau of Land Management does not permit public vehicle access onto Joaquín Ridge; two locked gates obstruct passage. The BLM policy requires visitors to hike from the Wright Mountain trailhead to Joaquín Rocks. While this policy makes visiting Joaquín Rocks difficult, it also keeps the area reasonably pristine - one of the primary reasons why it is such an enjoyable and mysterious place.

You reach the Wright Mountain trailhead by driving from King City, Coalinga or Hollister.

From King City

From King City take the Bitterwater road north 15 miles to Highway 25. Turn left At the intersection and continue north for another 2 miles until you reach the junction of Highway 25 and Coalinga Road. Turn right onto Coalinga Road. Continue with the directions for Bitterwater to Clear Creek.

From Hollister via Bitterwater

You reach Joaquín Rocks by traveling highway 25 between Hollister and Bitterwater. We catch Coalinga road about 38 miles south of Hollister. Highway 25 take a sharp right turn, Coalinga Road goes straight. Continue with the directions for Bitterwater to Clear Creek.

From Hollister via Idria

To make the trip via Idria, we leave Hollister by traveling highway 25 to Paicines (about 10.5 miles). Turn left (southeast) on Panoche Road and continue for 31 miles until you come to New Idria Road. Follow New Idria Road for 21 miles until you arrive at the old ghost town of New Idria. Drive through the town an follow Clear Creek Road up the hill (there is no sign). Travel about 3 miles and then continue with the instruction for Ridge Road.

Bitterwater to Clear Creek

Highway 25 - Coalinga Road Junction in Bitterwater

We travel Coalinga Road for about 16 miles until we come to the Clear Creek Management Area.

From Coalinga

From Interstate 5 take Highway 198 towards Coalinga. Turn right on Gale Road, then turn right on Derrick Road. Turn left on Los Gatos Creek road and go about 30 miles until you see the BLM sign and kiosk for Clear Creek; You will also see the Raymond Eade Memorial. Cross the river and turn right onto Clear Creek Road.

Clear Creek Management Area

Ford across the San Benito River here and begin your journey along and slow dirt road (it's 22 miles to Wright Mountain).

Clear Creek Road

Raymond Eade Memorial

Once you begin your journey on the dirt road, drive to the summit going toward Idria. Be careful driving this road because it is often shared with dirt bikes - especially on long weekends, the lower sections of this road can sometimes get very busy. But you will find fewer people as continue your journey.

Turn Right Up the Hill

When you reach the summit, be careful to take the road to the left through the open gate (the gate will be closed if the road is impassable). Don't go straight along the ridge! Follow the road through the gate and down the hill to where it splits between Idria (to the left) and San Benito Mountain (to the right).

At the Summit

Note: It is okay to go straight along the ridge (but the pervious was clearer to explain). If you do go straight along the ridge (either because you know what you are doing or the gate is closed) then attempt to follow the road that leads to the left and proceed down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, turn right (and continue with the instructions).

Ridge Road at Detour

Ridge Road

Take the road toward San Benito Mountain. We will travel this road past San Benito Mountain, past Santa Rita Peak, past Spanish Lake and continue until we reach the gate at Wright Mountain. Park your vehicle off the road in the saddle below the gate.

Parking at Wright Mountain

You will probably meet other people along the dirt road during your trip here. However, it is also not unusual to journey into this country and never meet another soul during your entire trip on the dirt road. Therefore, be wise and bring extra supplies and water just in case your vehicle breaks down. There is no telephone service in this area except for at a few locations at Joaquín Rocks. If you are unlucky to have vehicle break down and lucky enough to find cell phone service, then the closest towing service is out of King City. This author recommends Miller's Towing (408-385-4402).

Elephant Gate at Wright Mountain

Wright Mountain to Joaquin Rocks

From here we hike ... we hike about 5 miles to Joaquín Rocks. The BLM says that it is about 4 miles - but that's as the Crow flies - your actual walking distance is 5 miles. This is about a 2-3 hour hike (depending on your pace) up and down several hills (the biggest is about 700 feet over the space of a mile).

Be sure to bring plenty of water as there is no potable water along the trail or at Joaquín Rocks.

Wright Mountain to Joaquin Rocks Elevation Profile

Be careful not to pass the Joaquín Rocks trail - it's about a mile walk past the first 300-foot cliff.

Joaquín Rocks Trailhead

The Joaquín Rocks trail goes north up the hill. It's a mile along this narrow footpath to the rocks. You finally get to see the Joaquín Rocks for the very first time just as you get to the top of the hill ... suddenly all three rocks come into full view ... and for the first time since we left paved road we find ourselves in the pleasant surroundings of Joaquín's Flat.

Joaquín Rocks Trail

Weather and Road Conditions

The average annual rainfall for this region is about 10 inches - nearly all occurring during the winter and spring. The temperatures during the winter range in the 40-50s with nighttime peaks in the low 30s - sometimes much colder. During the summer temperatures range in the 90-110, sometimes getting up to 120. Summer nights are usually 70-80 degree range.

Of course, the most predictable thing about weather is that it changes and can sometimes surprise you. Always be prepared for unexpected weather conditions when you visit this region. Bad wet weather could easily make the roads impassible making it impossible to get there, or even worse making it impossible to get out. We recommend you stay out the area when heavy storms occur (a week before your trip or if they are predicted during trip.

Generally the area dries out quickly but it is also important to realize that an unusually wet winter could easily make the roads impassible. Although the BLM does a great job at maintaining the main roads throughout this area, unforeseeable weather and other circumstances could delay their efforts.

The nearest reasonable weather report for the area is from Coalinga. You can also check the following Internet sites, but remember that Joaquín Rocks is 16 miles (direct line) away and 3500 feet higher:

http://wwwa.accuweather.com	Type in this zip code: 93210
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/	National Weather Service

There is also a remote weather monitoring station on Santa Rita Peak that can be viewed on the Internet at: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/staMeta?station_id=SRI.

Environmental Concerns

Joaquín Rocks is an environmentally sensitive area and should be treated accordingly. The area scars easily and takes a long time to heal, so you should tread lightly during your visit. However, other than the seasonal ponds, the BLM doesn't believe there are any endangered or threatened plants that you need to avoid while in the area.