On the way to Buttonwillow last Friday I took a backroad route going down Highway 101 to Hollister and then down Highway 25 to Panoche Road and down to I5. I though I would share a couple of pictures of Panoche Road for anyone who might want to take that route. Here is a map from my Topo mapping program that shows Panoche road from Highway 25 to Interstate 5. Notice that I went out a few miles past the turn to Little Panoche Road and came back and then continued on Little Panoche Road. The road turns to dirt where the marked route ends and it is 12 miles to Interstate 5 in case anyone was wondering. This route on this map is 61 miles.

 

Here is a look at Panoche Road. Narrow and bumpy. No traffic. Hills and Ranch Country all the way.

 

Yes it turns to dirt alright. Sign says impassable when wet. It was dry this day but I didn't want to try my luck bumping down 12 miles of dirt way out of phone range.

 

If you were wondering if there is anything at Mercy Springs it is open for overnight stays and bathing. I would call it rustic at best. Way out of the way too. They were doing some drilling for water. Might be improving the place.

 

interesting place, the hot tub doesn't look too bad.
http://www.merceyhotsprings.com/index.html

 

Living in Hollister, I have the opportunity to travel that road a lot. NorCal came down last month and did a run to the Pinnacles and out J1 (Panoche Rd.) and back. A few friends have stayed at Mercy Hot Springs - the word "rustic" is used quite a bit (also "clothing optional").

T