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Klipstein Canyon Road (Kern County)

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Klipstein Canyon Road is an approximately 6.2-mile rural highway located in the San Emigdio Mountains of Kern County.  This highway begins at Hudson Ranch Road and travels northward through Cienega Canyon and Devils Gulch to California State Routes 166 and 33 near Maricopa.  Klipstein Canyon Road is maintained as Kern County Mountain Road 277.

What is now Klipstein Canyon Road was part of the original stage corridor in Cienega Canyon between Cuyama Valley and Kern Lake.  Following construction of the Grocer Grade in Sunset Canyon the Cienega Canyon corridor would mostly become associated with an oil boom at Pattiway.  During the 1950s the northern part of the highway was realigned near Klipstein Ranch to better align with Maricopa.  The highway name was changed to Klipstein Canyon Road despite Cienega Canyon never having been actually renamed.  




Part 1; the history of Klipstein Canyon Road

What is now Klipstein Canyon Road was part of the original stage corridor between southern San Joaquin Valley and Cuyama Valley.  East of Cuyama Valley travelers would reach the San Emigdio Mountains near the rural community of Pattiway (originally Paleto).  From Pattiway the roadway turned northeast through Cienga Canyon by way of Klipstein Ranch where it emerged near the shore of Kern Lake. 

The Cienga Canyon Road northeast from Paleto to San Joaquin Valley can be seen originating on the 1898 Kern County Surveyor map in Township 10 South, Range 24 West.  


Paleto was originally named in reference to the Paleto Hills region of the San Emigdio Mountains.  The community became large enough in 1891 to warrant Post Office.  The request to the Post Office asked for the name "Pathway."  The Postal Service would grant the request but misread the requested name as "Pattiway." 

The Cienga Canyon Road can be seen near Pattiway on the 1903 United States Geological Survey map of Mount Pinos.  When this map had been published a new direct highway called the "Grocer Grade" was built from Cuyama Valley northeast through Sunset Canyon to the oil boom town of Maricopa.  The Grocer Grade now carries California State Routes 166 and 33.  


Pattiway would see an oil boom which lasted through much of the 1920s.  The community school had a peak enrollment during the 1920-1921 school year with 419 students.  The oil boom would ensure continued regular use of Cienega Canyon Road which was the primary route used between Pattiway and the Sunset Railroad near Hazelton and Pioneer. 

Cienega Canyon Road can be seen as a minor rural roadway on the 1935 Division of Highways map of Kern County.  The corridor is shown to extend from Pattiway northeast to California State Route 166 near Pentland. 


Pattiway would see a major decline during the 1930s and the community school would close in 1936.  The Pattiway Branch of the Kern County Library can be seen below in a 1941 era photo (courtesy Kern County History Fans). 


The August 18, 1952, Bakersfield Californian (courtesy Kern County History Fans) announced grading along the road from Maricopa to the Pattiway town site via Klipstein Ranch was taking place.  The article mentions the grading was being conducted by the Time Oil Company who was leasing 4,000 acres at the Pattiway town site from the Universal Consolidated Oil Company.  The Pattiway town site was likely demolished to make way for these drilling operations.  


The 1952-era grading by the Time Oil Company realigned Cienga Canyon Road towards California State Routes 166 and 33 in Sunset Canyon to link more directly with Maricopa via Devils Gulch.  The roadway was renamed "Klipstein Canyon Road" in reference to Klipstein Ranch.

Klipstein Canyon Road as presently configured appears in detail on the 1991 United States Geological Survey map of Ballinger Canyon.  Cienga Canyon and Creek have never been renamed.  Klipstein Canyon Road is maintained as Kern County Mountain Road 277. 






Part 2; a drive on Klipstein Canyon Road

Northbound Klipstein Canyon Road begins at Hudson Ranch Road (formerly Cerro Noroeste Road) near the town site of Pattiway.  


Northbound traffic is advised of flood prone conditions as Klipstein Canyon Road begins.  Traffic is also advised of a turnaround which appears to be intended for large freight vehicles.  



Klipstein Canyon Road descends via a series of switchbacks into Cienega Canyon.










Klipstein Canyon Road picks up Cienega Creek and passes Klipstein Ranch.  


















Klipstein Canyon Road turns northwest towards California State Routes 166 and 33 via Devils Gulch. 









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