The Needles (2026 Season)

Recently tagged up with the Sequoia NF Tulare home office (Porterville) to get general status on road access in the Needles area. Currently, the Western Divide Hwy (M-90) is still CLOSED just short of Quaking Aspen Campground (at the Freeman Creek Rd - 21S50) to Johnsondale. However, the road leading out from Johnsondale to the Upper Forks Of The Kern (22S82) is open. This is the same road that gains access to the approach to Voodoo. Good news for those interested in doing WPOD or other routes on Voodoo.

The FS staff anticipate opening the Western Divide Hwy (Quaking Aspen to Johnsondale) around mid-May. In lieu of the recent warming temps and the trend continuing that way, this will likely hold true. And having done some recon hikes in the "nearby neighborhood" at 7K, there is very little snow left, with the exception of some north facing slopes. But it's definitely melting fast (the Kern River is good measure to that fact!). One thing to keep in mind, the Upper Forks Of The Kern and the Kern River Valley have been recovering from devastating wild fires in the past several year, killing 150,000 acres of trees in those areas and weaking a ton of others. Even though the snow may be gone by mid April at the Needles, Trilogy, Hermit Spire and Dome Rock, the amount of felled trees and standing widow makers, it will take time for FS crews to get into roads like the Needles Rd (21S05) to clear access. So, I would venture to guess that mid-May is a solid answer from the forest service.

I'll do my best to keep my finger on the pulse. Helps to have one of your friends, who is the acting CDF Fire Captain, give a good snap shot on when things will open. He mentioned to me that they usually survey things from Johnsondale to the Western Divide Hwy and typically open that section first before they open the rest of the highway. 

In the old days they'd just put an a-frame closed sign in the road that you could just drive past. Do they have a gate there now?

if Im understanding correctly, the approach to the main Needles area (Witch, Sorcerer, etc.) will be 5 miles instead of the normal 2, until mid may?

Or you could approach the same via a steep hike from FR 22S82, same as Voodoo dome?

https://caltopo.com/m/8611FR3

you can access all Needles areas from both points. 22S82 is shortest to Voodoo, but significant elevation gain. Upper (currently closed) road is longer than voodoo approach but much flatter (coming in level or above most climbs). Can still access mentioned formations, just going to be even more gain that just hitting bottom of Voodoo (of course you could go super early and romp WPOD to save some steep hiking/scrambling :)

Anyone know if the western divide highway / 21S05 are open yet? Seeing people tick some routes so Id think so but I guess they could have hiked in from 22S82. 

I called the ranger station on Friday and 21S05 wasn't open yet. Haven't checked again since -- really quick call to the ranger at 559-539-2607 to re-confirm. Please report back!

Eddie Joe just sent me pics that gate is now OPEN. 

Over to you, EC...

Climbed there yesterday. The road is in pretty decent shape, at least compared last year. My buddy’s Prius made it up the then, so a car with similar clearance should have no problems getting to the trailhead. The trail is also in pretty good shape.

Any camping beta? I remember there used to be dispersed camping along 21S05 but that was about 20 years ago and based on the sign in Dave Daly's photo that's not allowed anymore.

David Burridgewrote:

Any camping beta? I remember there used to be dispersed camping along 21S05 but that was about 20 years ago and based on the sign in Dave Daly's photo that's not allowed anymore.

I'm curious about this too. When I went last year there were multiple cars/vans camping overnight at the start of the trail by the pit toilet

For those curious about camping, many climbers were camped at the main campground near the trailhead and a pullout a little further up the road this past Memorial Day weekend, despite the new signs. Due to the crowds and our concerns about the legality, we chose to camp on a forest road about a half mile north on the highway, which wasn’t signed. On our way out on Sunday, a ranger was parked at the main campground, speaking with some of the folks camping there. We didn’t stick around to see the outcome. For the sake of maintaining access and staying on good terms with the forest service, it may be best to camp on one of the other nearby forest roads for the time being. 

I was there camping at the main area over the weekend. The ranger came by and was there to check fire permits- which apparently you should have even if using a camp stove. She seemed totally fine with all of us camping there, as she was friendly and gave us no problems whatsoever. 

Ira OMCwrote:

I was there camping at the main area over the weekend. The ranger came by and was there to check fire permits- which apparently you should have even if using a camp stove. She seemed totally fine with all of us camping there, as she was friendly and gave us no problems whatsoever. 

Thanks for the updates Johnny and Ira

To Ira's point about the fire permit - you can do it for free here