California State Parks is beginning the spring tour season at Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park in Tehachapi. Although no structures remain on this Kawaiisu Native American village site, the area’s rich history comes alive through the trained volunteer tour guides.
Tomo-Kahni means “winter home” in Kawaiisu, and rock rings mark the locations of many of the kahni’s, or homes, that were built of juniper boughs. Hundreds of mortar holes in the park tell of a very active past. The tour also includes Medicine Cave, Nettle Spring and a cave with pictographs- a sacred place of the Kawaiisu.
Due to the extremely sensitive nature of the site, the only way to explore the park is through guided tours, which involve a moderately strenuous 3-hour hike. This spring’s tour season will begin Saturday April 12 and continue, weather permitting, through Saturday June 21. Activities begin with an orientation at the Tomo-Kahni Resource Center in Tehachapi at 9 am and last approximately 4 hours, which includes travel time to and from the park (transportation is not provided). Weather at the high-elevation park is variable, so layered clothing is recommended. Adequate drinking water, sun protection, and sturdy walking shoes are also necessary.
Tour fee is $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-16 (age 5 and under are free, but not recommended on tours). Tours are limited to 12 people and fill up fast so reservations are highly recommended, for an additional fee of $5 for 1-6 people and $10 for 7-12 people. To make a reservation or for more information, visit the California State Parks office at 43779 15th Street West in Lancaster or call (661) 942-0662, Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.
Jean Scott, Interpreter I, California State Parks, Mojave Sector/Tehachapi District
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