Tae Go Sah Temple

A startling vision greets you deep in Sand Canyon outside Tehachapi. Like an ancient Oriental woodblock print come to life, a Buddhist temple sits at the confluence of two narrow washes, backed by pine-studded mountains and jagged rock towers. Its winged eaves and façade are adorned with ornate woodcarving and painted in the intricate, cosmic patterns of tanch’ong, a richly colored style from Korea. Murals of Buddha, mythological landscapes, and bodhisattvas line its interior and exterior walls. A massive, embossed peace bell—housed in an equally intricate pavilion—is erected nearby.

This is Tae Go Sah (Mountain Spirit Center), an active monastery practicing Korean Zen Buddhism and linked to the Chogye Order of Korea. A Yale-educated American monk, known as Mu Ryang Sunim, established the site in 1994 and is the current abbot. He has worked along with monks, tradesmen, and volunteers ever since to build and improve the center. Electricity is generated on-site by wind and solar power, and a gray water system irrigates the monastery’s garden.

Visitors are welcome to ring the peace bell and explore the premises. Head up the wash at right to discover the marvelous geology typical of areas along the Garlock Fault. Patches of exposed red and green rock color the flanking slopes. You can walk up the sandy creek bed for about half a mile toward an impressive, stony peak. If you turn right at a natural fork, it’s possible to then scramble up the rocks for an inspiring peak-top vista, as locals are known to do. Be careful of loose rock.

From CA-58 east of Tehachapi, exit at Sand Canyon Rd./Monolith. Take Sand Canyon Rd. north for 2.5 miles, then turn right onto Pine Canyon Rd. It’s all dirt from here. Turn right onto Juniper Way, then stay left at the fork to merge onto Equestrian Dr., which ends at Tae Go Sah. Open to visitors 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. No dogs.