kern river parkway trail

What the comics and pundits don't tell you about Bakersfield is that it is a great place to raise a family, and if you are choosy some of the schools are excellent. Another treasure is the Kern River Parkway. Whoever had the vision to create this deserves high praise. The parkway meanders along the Kern River, which is dry most of the year. But there is wildlife, such as bobcats, egrets, herons, hawks, harriers, and the like. I don't know the exact distance of the Parkway, but you can ride your bike along it and enjoy the scenery, as I have for 25 years. It's a safe place to cycle, that is except for the moms who push strollers 3 abreast (pun intended) across the path, so you have to give them a jingle to let them know you're coming. Occaisional pit bulls are loose, but not even they can spoil a journey along this treasure. A bit of wild in the city and a treasure.

If your idea of a pleasant bike ride is zipping along next to a dry riverbed,surrounded by a sere landscape dotted with occasional pumpjacks, while breathing brownish air, this is the place for you.

Nancypants911 said it well in that it is an 'all purpose trail'. You will not only find bicyclists, but also people pushing strollers, walking their dogs, and roller skating. And yes, they do scatter all directions when you announce that you are coming up on their left. If you like desert scenery, then by all means, start at the west end at Enos Lane. For a grass and tree lined path, consider starting on Stockdale Hwy., near The Finish Line bicycle shop. For a bit more of a challenge, the east end, near the mouth of the Kern River Canyon will get your blood pumping a bit more.

I live right off this trail. First of all, the river never has water in it. People walk on this paved all purpose trail which follows along the dry Kern River bed. When you announce you are approaching on their left so you can pass, most of them scatter all over the path like fleas, or they wander to their left. I don't know why that is, but be aware of it. We are not bike path warriers hogging the path, but 65 year olds going 9 to 10 miles per hour. About the only pretty area along this path is Riverlakes Park. Here you can make a bathroom stop, and rest under a shade tree. The only other bathroom is way at the end of Enos Lane. This is a good conditioning ride with no challenging areas. It is relatively flat.