Introduction:
What? :
A fun not so challenging 4x4 offroad drive to beautiful mountain peak viewing points.
From the top of Mazourka Peak at elevation 9,400 ft you will overlook Owens Valley and the long stretch of ragged south section of the Eastern Sierra Mountains.
The Mazourka Peak mountain is clear of trees so the 360 degree view is uninterrupted.
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Where? :
The drive starts at the south entrance to the small town of Independence, CA on highway 395. From here you will see a clear road leading straight east.
When? :
The area is open year-round but the best times to visit this trail are April through November.
During the winter month it snows in the high elevation and the road might be challenging to overcome.
I spent a night here in late May 2025 and it was cold during the night.
Summer months are hot.
Summer storms can create flash floods in the canyon and avoid staying at the top of the exposed mountain during a lightning storm.
Due note 1:
Mazourka Peak road from independence, CA requires high-clearance 4×4.
I will rate its difficulty as relatively easy, no major obstacle to overcome.
I think that high-clearance AWD can also do this drive but I will not recommend it.
Due note 2:
No service out of Independence, CA.
Due note 3:
There is a good cell reception at the mountain peak, nothing in the canyon.
Although this is not a challenge to navigate, make sure you have an offline map.
Due note 4:
As always with offroad drive: make sure your car is in good offroad conditions, you have enough fuel, good spare tire and exchange kit, first aid and basic towing and recovery tools.
Due note 5:
Bring enough water and food for your stay.
Due note 6:
This area is in Inyo National Forest, it is public land, no fees or overnight permits are needed.
Respect the rules and regulations of the National Forest.
Due note 7:
There are no official established campsites in the area but there are many locations for a great offroad night stay.
My thoughts:
I really enjoy my drive here and the view from the mountain peak was amazing!
To my surprise I did not see anyone else here so I can enjoy the solitude and quiet overnight stay.
The drive itself is not challenging and the trails are usually in good conditions.
I must come here when it snows so I can enjoy the view of the snowy Sierra mountains.
The Drive:
Our drive up the mountains begins at the south entrance to the small town of Independence, CA on highway 395. From here you will see a clear road leading straight east.
Mazourka Canyon Road begins as a paved road and shortly after crossing Owens River you will see the old train tracks.
You will pass an old mine on your right and from here the road turns into a well maintained gravel road.
The road turns left and enters a large wash canyon (Mazourka Canyon).
From here the view closes up from both sides as you progress up the canyon.
There are few old mining locations and a private property house along this road section.
There are several official marked side roads leading to the surrounding hills, old mines and viewing points.
Keep driving the main canyon road that is clear to follow but the best if you have an offroad driving app. that shows you are on the right trail.
As you gradually climb the canyon narrows and you will get into a landscape covered with pine forest. The high elevation enables the growth of Pinyon pines and juniper trees.
After 17.8 miles from highway 395, not so far from the end of the canyon you will see on your left a clear side road (35E409). The road steeply climbs to a saddle and at the end of the road there is an amazing night stay location with a view to the east.
Shortly after this side road the main road turns right and climbs out of the canyon.
You reached the Badger Flat area.
From here you need to take left on 13S05P, you will start to see Mazourka mountains on your left.
Keep to the left and after 1.2 miles you will reach a clear trail junction.
Here you need to take left and climb to the mountain.
From here it is 1.5 miles of steady but not steep climb and you will circle the mountain top to its west side.
Reach the cell & communication antennas towers and find the large parking area near them.
This is the best viewing point, no need to drive up the mountain peak itself.
You are at an elevation of 9,351 ft and this is exactly 21.4 miles from highway 395 with 5,630 ft elevation gain, it took me 1.5 hours of easy drive to reach here.
I had some time before sunset so I went down the mountain and drove on 36E404 north.
Here the drive becomes more challenging with some ruff rock passing sections.
The trail climbs the ridgeline and provides you nice views to the north.
You can also see the old Bristlecone pine trees with their unique shape.
After about 1.5 miles the trail turns sharp left and ascends off the ridgeline into a valley below.
I wanted to reach Papoose Flat but it was starting to get late and I want to make sure I’m back at Mazourka Peak before sunset.
This is the point I decided to turn around.
I drove back to Mazourka Peak and arrived in time to see the sunset.
To my surprise I did not see anyone else during all my stay here.
There were no clouds so it was not so amazing as it can be but the solitude and the vast views of the Sierra mountains to the west created a unique experience.
I prepared and ate my dinner and once the sun set down I was looking for a place to spend the night.
I noticed that from time to time a generator turned on for the communication antenna, making some noise, so this was not a good place for night sleep.
I drove back and found a quiet flat place near the mountain top to spend the night there.
Side Drive:
From here you can drive north to Papoose Flat flat and even to Death Valley Road.
You can drive back the same way you climbed up.
On the way down I decided to do a side drive and to look for another viewing point lower in the hills.
From Mazourka Peak drive down 6.7 miles to Pops Gulch and turn west (right when going down).
Take the gulch trail up, go over the ridgeline and drive down from the other side. The area here has a lot of similarities to Alabama Hill round rocks formations.
Keep heading Santa Rita Flat Rd west for about 0.5 miles until you will reach the creek and road 35E404.
In the creek turn right (north) on 35E404 and drive for about 0.7 mile until you will see a clear turn to the left (west), take this road and drive another 0.5 mile all the way to the end of the road.
This is another amazing view point and a place to spend the night at.
I will indeed spend a night here during my next trip to this area.
From here I took back Santa Rita Flat Rd south all the way down until it reconnected to Mazourka Canyon Road. From here it is a relatively short drive down all the way to highway 395.
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