Date: 1/25/26 9:51 pm From: Andrew Howe via groups.io <howe395...> Subject: [kern-tulare-kings-cobirding] Jawbone Canyon storm damage
Yesterday (1/24), my parents (Vernon & Winona) and I explored various areas of the high desert for early flower blooms. We did very little birding, the only species of note a seemingly out of place for the date Northern Harrier in Jawbone Canyon, about a mile before the turnoff to Butterbredt.
Jawbone Canyon Road has taken more than the usual winter storm degradation, with several sections between the end of the pavement and the Butterbredt Spring turnoff taking significant damage. The switchbacks after you leave the valley floor (shortly after the solar farm gate) have several sections with deep trenches from what I assume must have been a mini-flash flood event. We talked to a ranger from Red Rock who, although not associated with that parcel of land, claims to know that those responsible for Jawbone made the road just passable enough to get to Kelso Valley. She added that they may not be able to completely fix the road in time for spring migration, as there are many areas to repair and it will not be a simple grading operation this year (Red Rock is even worse, with some roads open to 4WD but not recommended for AWD). We were able to get through to Kelso Valley (and Weldon) with a bit of care, but a low clearance non-AWD vehicle would find a few sections to be challenging. And even in high clearance 4WD, I wouldn't want to drive that road before the sun is in the sky.
Given the state of Jawbone Canyon and fearing an inability to turn around should the going get difficult, we opted not to head down to the springs (and given our time constraints, we didn't walk). So, I have no information on whether or not Butterbredt suffered another flash flood and, if it did, how much damage it may have sustained (although, unlike the last two major, terraforming flash flood events, I don't think the rusty car is going anywhere!).
Good birding,
Andrew HoweRiverside, <CAhowe395...>
