Jawbone Canyon

Europeans first settled in the canyon around 1860—naming it Jawbone because its shape resembled a mandible[1]—and the trail was used as a trade route from Keyesville into the Piute Mountains. During the Kern River gold rush, several gold mines operated in the canyon; the most successful of these, the St. John mine, yielded nearly $700,000 worth of gold between 1860 and 1875. The Gwynn mine, on the Geringer Grade, ran six claims yielding a total of $770,000 worth of gold and quartz before ceasing operations in 1942. Mining continued throughout the 1940s, mainly focused on rhyolite and antimony.[2]

The area has been used for recreation since the early 20th century. A scientific study, published in 1983, shows that extensive environmental damage had been caused by off road vehicles operating in Jawbone Canyon.[3] Although off-roading is still permitted in the recreation area, as the Jawbone-Butterbredt Area of Critical Environmental Concern riders are restricted to established trails.[4]

• The largest sag pipe of the Los Angeles Aqueduct crosses through Jawbone.[5]
• Blue Point, a large hill covered with blue-green stone, marks the entrance to Alphie Canyon. The color is due to oxidized copper in the rock.[6][7]
• The Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm is visible from the eastern end of the trail.[2]
• Jawbone Canyon road terminates at Piute Mountain Road, inside Sequoia National Forest.
• Jawbone-Butterbredt Area of Critical Environmental Concern

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  Large deposits of volcanic rock in Jawbone Canyon
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  The floor of Jawbone Canyon
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  The north-east of Jawbone Canyon
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  Yucca brevifolia or Joshua tree at Jawbone Canyon
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  Sandstone caves in Jawbone Canyon
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  Looking north along the Los Angeles Aqueduct in Jawbone Canyon

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jawbone Canyon.

• Official BLM Jawbone Canyon website
• Friends of Jawbone website
• BLM Jawbone Canyon Map