The uppermost section of the Kern that is accessible by road, the Limestone section of the Kern contains three stand-out rapids, a few smaller rapids, and accessibility that allows running many laps in a day. Do not run this. Mile 1.99 – Calkin’s Flat Take-Out / Chamise Put-In: 35.91811, -118.49158 River Left. This river access point doubles as a both a Thunder Run take-out point and a put-in for Cables. Pull off the highway on the right side (heading north) and carry boats across the highway and down to the river. Most of these campgrounds are public campgrounds, but there are some private camping options available too. Snapshot Details This trip meets at 8:45AM and returns between 3 and 5PM. Run the far left side of a straightaway and continue left through a small, surfy hole as the river splits into two channels. Another, more exciting option, is to start on the inside right and trend left into the technical, steep left channel which will have you weaving between holes and lining up a good drop at the bottom. Mile 0.77- Fairview Campground: 35.92919, -118.49243 River Left. Watch for poison oak. Upper Kern Canyon Developed Campgrounds Welcome to the Kern River Ranger District. Once in the eddy ferry back into the current on river right and finish through the munchy holes at the bottom. Mile 1.47 – Buzzards Rapid: 35.79665, -118.452 Class II. Upper Kern and Little Kern River Fishing Report – August 25-28, 2017 August 30, 2017 Gunpowder River, Hunt Valley MD July 28, 2017 Seven Tips and Tricks for Fly Fishing in the Fall April 11, 2017 Start right and weave between a couple holes above a small tree island. Corral Creek to Thunderbird is 3.33 miles. They offer trips ranging from just a few hours to a couple days and whitewater from mild Class III to Class V. They are the highest rated rafting company in Southern California and operate from mid-March through mid-September. Halfway Campground is a hot campground located just downstream of the Wall Rapid and right before Tombstone Rapid. Melting from Mount Whitney and then barreling through the Forks of the Kern, the Upper Kern section begins at Johnsondale Bridge and ends at Lake Isabella. After Bombay the river makes a sharp right turn. From there find your line and weave through a couple holes at the bottom. From there cut immediately back left or continue right through a tight brushy channel. The Kern River formerly emptied into the now dry Buena Vista Lake and Kern Lake via the Kern River Slough, and Kern Lake in turn emptied into Buena Vista Lake via the Connecting Slough at the southern end of the Central Valley. Take-out is on river left just after these riffles, and can be difficult to catch at high-water. This fertile region is a large alluvial plain, or inland delta, formed by the Kern River, which once spread out into vast wetlands and seasonal lakes. Keep in mind, a right angle and right-ward momentum are needed when running this drop as it is crucial to catch the eddy behind the Satan’s Slot rock to avoid being swept down the shallow, manky left side of the rapid. These include Alligator Rock, private property and Fairview Bridge. Mile 2.60 – Corral Creek Take-out: 35.85615, -118.45068 River Left. Enjoy 4 bedrooms. Weave your way through the holes for a clean run. Mellow rapid that flanks the park. A Kern River Use Permit is required year round for each craft (kayak, raft, etc). Our guides pick and choose the best sections each day, which means you will always have a blast. Of all the major gold producing rivers in the California Mother Lode, the Kern River is the farthest south. Attribution: Certain graphics or images are used under license. Click here to learn more. The Golf Course is split into two sections, top nine, and bottom nine. Reviews on Kern River Camping in Kernville, CA 93238 - Rivernook Campground, KRS at Camp James, Limestone Campground, Camping on the Kern, Frandy Campground, Camp Kernville, Kern River, Sierra Gateway Cottages, Whitewater Voyages, Kern River Vacation Trailers This is the last take-out before getting to the Class IV stretch of the river. Upper Kern River Flow Gauge data provided by Dream Flows Lower Kern River Flow Gauge data [12] Below there, the Kern River continues south, and is joined by more tributaries including Peppermint Creek, South Creek, Brush Creek, and Salmon Creek, which all form large waterfalls as they tumble into the Kern River canyon. Page 20. Right after put-in, enjoy this Class II riffle down the right channel of the island. There are developed campgrounds maintained by the US Forest Service along the North Fork of the Kern River. The seven different sections are described below from the furthest upstream down towards Kernville. After making the turn look out for the rock/pour over known as The Greasy Spoon. At high water, 4,000 CFS+, there is a class IV sneak for the rapid far on river left. Check Sport Fishing Regulations for these catch-and-release waters. upstream to point where USFS Trail 33E30 heads E to join Rincon Trail; low to moderate gradient, large stream with good trail on S bank. The only real concern is running into the right bank. Haggard's last song, "Kern River Blues", was recorded two months prior to his death in 2016. Aptly named for the high number of rubber raft bottoms seen here, flips in Black Bottom must be cleaned up quickly, as there is “no time” before the next rapid just downstream. From here cut back quickly to the center of the river and make a choice. The scout is just downstream of Squashed Paddler, before the river bends to the right at the top of Sock ‘Em Dog. Try to stay on the inside of this s-turn, otherwise the current will push you right into a large boulder, potentially complicating your entrance to Black Bottom Falls. Upper Kern River Basin Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park (SEKI) Sierra Nevada, California, USA The upper Kern River basin is a rugged and remote region of the High Sierra. Milestone Peak and Midway Mountain dominated the view to the west. [8] The main branch of the river (sometimes called the North Fork Kern River) rises from several small lakes in a basin northwest of Mount Whitney. Get an upstream left angle (facing river right, angled left and upstream), and slowly work into the right side of the entrance just above the center boulder. Mile 1.04 – Goldledge Campground: 35.87342, -118.4581 River Left. The upper Kern River from the Forks of the Kern upstream to Tyndall Creek is a designated Heritage and Wild Trout Water. Stay Alive" and tallies the deaths since 1968; as of May 22, 2020, the number of deaths listed is 307. Due to water withdrawals the three stream gauge stations below Isabella Dam show a dramatically decreasing discharge. Mile 1.34 – Headquarters Campground: 35.7962, -118.45009 River Left. Mile 0.89 – Fairview Bridge: 35.92775, -118.49428 Used to access the popular Whiskey Flat Trail, this bridge marks an approximate half-way point for the Fairview stretch. Stay right of center through the first “main” drop. Mile 1.46 – Betty’s Bakery: 35.95748, -118.47783 Class III/IV. (Even if there is enough water, the right channel is often choked with logs.) Mile 1.33 – Pulling Teeth Rapid: 35.87083, -118.45397 Class IV. A straightforward, continuous romp! Read and run through the rocks. The easiest option at high flows is to take a tight, bony sneak to the right of the slot and punch through some stompy holes to finish the rapid. The river forks here (take the right channel) and the class IV starts at the confluence of the two channels. A two-part adventure; as the river makes a sharp right turn after Joe’s Diner stay in the center, avoiding a nasty recirculating hole on river left. Both the far right and the far left go. It works well as a warm-up to the stout Class V Thunder Run just downstream. It has one of the few remaining native trout … Unlike the Lower or Forks of the Kern, the mileage in the guide resets with each section. The Upper Kern is well known for two reasons: Plentiful access, and a variety of whitewater from Class II to Class V. At very high flows (above 4,800 CFS) there is a late final hole dubbed ‘The Cookie Monster’. After this drop work slightly left to finish with the bottom pour-over. Another fun option starts right at the top of the rapid angling left, where you’ll pick your way to a sizable center drop. The Upper Kern is a popular stretch of river for whitewater boating, camping and fishing. The Upper Kern is a challenging run. If missed, there is a final eddy 300 yards downstream at the end of the park. Mile 2.17 – Lower Springhill Rapid: 35.86141, -118.44949 Class III+. Straight forward, read and run Class II. The large oil field, on low hills which rise gradually into the Sierra foothills, formerly allowed much of its wastewater to drain directly south into the river. Click here for a detailed description. Ongoing conflicts between urban and agricultural interests complicate management decisions, in recent years owing to the expiration of some long-term contractual agreements. There is an opening in the tree island at the bottom of the rapid. The Upper Kern River within the Golden Trout Wilderness is designated as a "Wild and Scenic" river by the State of California. In 1987 the United States Congress designated 151 miles (243 km) of the Kern's North (Main) Fork and South Fork as a National Wild and Scenic River. Be aware of the tress and low lying branches. Not a great takeout but it does add scenic mileage. Enter with an upstream left angle (facing river right, angled left and upstream), and cut in above the center boulder that blocks the entrance in the middle of the rapid. One of the greatest things about the Upper Kern River is that there is incredible diversity in your boating options. A fun finish to the gorge, again options abound. [13][14][15], At Kernville the river emerges from its narrow canyon into a wide valley where it is impounded in Lake Isabella, formed by Isabella Dam. If you are running Chamise Gorge then you must make the takeout just above Upper Salmon Falls. Camp Three is an excellent campground for staging Upper Kern rafting trips if you’ll be in the area for a few days. The river splits into two channels on the right side. This put in is used for the ever popular and relatively mild Lickety Split Run. If this take-out is missed there is still some time before Upper Salmon Creek Rapid, but you will have to run a consequential Class IV rapid at the mouth of Salmon Creek that is not recommended. With many of the campgrounds located directly adjacent to the river, ample fishing, rafting and simply enjoying the river is available to campers. Fed by snowmelt near Mount Whitney, the river passes through scenic canyons in the mountains and is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking. A quick, technical rapid directly above Black Bottom Falls, take a tight left-angling slot in the center of the river into a slalom-y airplane turn between pour-overs and boulders. Prepare to square up to another large hole/wave at the bottom of the rapid in the center. Mile 2.90 – Fender Bender Rapid: 35.82187, -118.46037 Class V. The entrance to Fender Bender is very similar to the Flume. Kern River Outfitters has been a permitted outfitter on the Kern River since 1980. Rather than running the final wave-train, punch into an eddy just behind a large boulder on river left for access to this surf. [7] Crops are grown in the rest of the former lakebed. There are a number of different sections of the Upper Kern River. Mile 1.82 – Tequila Chute Rapid: 35.79215, -118.44944 Class IV. At just over 2 miles long, Chamise packs a punch with 7 Class IV rapids and lends itself well for running multiple laps. The lakes hold 6,800 acre⋅ft (8,400 dam3) combined. Discover genuine guest reviews for Group Campsite on Upper Kern River along with the latest prices and availability – book now. Mile 0.89 – Johnny McNally’s Fairview Lodge and Restaurant: 35.92743, -118.4934 River Left. Also known as Little Las Vegas or Camp James Rapid, this rapid flanks Camp James, located on river left. Exacerbating the problem, ongoing dam safety problems at Isabella Dam have led to reduced water storage there while repairs are made. Mile 0.48 – Sex Rapid: 35.91352, -118.48719 Class IV-. Send us a message with how you would like to contribute. This campground is located on river left and offers gorgeous views of the rapid. There is an eddy on river right at the bottom that can be caught for safety and to catch a breath before Adam Ant waiting just below. Mile 1.42- Ewings Rapid: 35.75847, -118.4212 Class III. In normal or high water years it is irrelevant as there is enough water in the river for you to still be able to run everything. This is also known as the Limestone Put-in. Mile 0.82 – Violence Rapid: 35.90919, -118.48654 Class IV. However, modern environmental regulation ended this practice, and the contaminated water is now cleaned at water treatment plants and used to irrigate farms in the valley to the west. Commercial outfitters we trust and work with. After this first section pick your way through boulders and pour-overs down a straightaway to finish the rapid. Upper Kern River Camping Upper Kern River campgrounds is the area just north of Kernville up to the Johnsondale Bridge. [9][10][11] After deviating briefly from its due south course as it flows east around Hockett Peak, it is joined by the Little Kern River from the northwest at a site called Forks of the Kern. But it’s the simple fact that you still have to be a good, advanced or expert fly fisher to do well there right now. Mile 0.00 – Calkins Flat Put-in: 35.91811, -118.49158 River Left. Rapids like Little Momma and Big Daddy provide a great warm-up for the famous final drop at Ewing’s Rapid. Enter this rapid slowly in the center of the river. Mile 0.00 – Roads End Put-In: 35.93544, -118.48555 River Left. This diversion takes place at the Limestone take out, and ends at the Lickety Split put in, diverting up to 600 CFS of water. Behind the center boulder, there is a large ledge hole that takes up a considerable portion of the left and center of the rapid. Send us a message with how you would like to contribute. Mile 0.01 – Cables Rapid: 35.81612, -118.45798 Class IV. Water from Kern Lake would then flow west through Buena Vista Slough into Buena Vista Lake. Located under the bridge, there is a parking lot and boat access point on river right. Rapids like Sock ‘Em Dog, The Flume and Fender Bender demand respect and are sure to challenge even the most experienced paddlers. From here keep trending left through some hits before teeing up a river-wide hole at the bottom. The Limestone Run drops 39 feet per mile. The Upper Kern is well known for two reasons: Plentiful access, and a variety of whitewater from Class II to Class V. There are a lot of different sections and nuances with the Upper Kern, so that information is broken out below. This is Satan’s Slot and is not recommended in a raft. The Wall can be run at lower flows than Cables so often times the Thunderbird put-in will be skipped and this one used. Pop into an eddy on river left for easy access. The Upper Kern River below the Johnsondale Bridge is a heavily used area by river rafters, bait fishermen, and bathers. Mile 1.06 – Rock ‘n Roll Rapid: 35.90708, -118.48446 Class III. Mile 0.0 – Johnsondale Bridge Put-in: 35.96871, -118.4867 This is the most upstream put-in available on the Upper Kern River. There is a dirt path here that leads you directly to the top of Brush Creek rapid that is seldom used as a put-in. Click here for a detailed description. Mile for mile this is the most action-packed day of white water the Upper Kern has to offer. Work your way down the middle of the left channel and prepare for a move to the right. Mile 0.22 – Adam Ant Rapid: 35.88411, -118.45498 Class IV. Mile 2.07 – No Time Rapid: 35.9006, -118.4701 Class IV. The North Fork is paralleled by Highway 155 for 25 miles, so access to the upper reaches of the River is relatively easy in this area. Campgrounds include Camp 3, Fairview, Goldledge, Headquarters, Hospital Flat, and Limestone. [27] [6] This basin also included the Kaweah and Tule Rivers, as well as southern distributaries of the Kings River that all flowed into Tulare Lake. … This rapid is named Jungle Boogie for reason. After a short reprieve from the action in the first half of the gorge things pick up again with some small waves and boulder-weaving above Satan’s Slot. [42], Due to water diversion and Isabella Dam the Kern River's discharge changes considerably over its length. The Lower Kern runs 32 miles from Isabella Dam to the canyon mouth above Bakersfield, California. [28], The Kern River watershed is the native range of California's State Freshwater Fish, California golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita), which are native to the Kern River tributaries South Fork Kern River and Golden Trout Creek,[29] and the latter's tributary, Volcano Creek. After “No Time” a short flat stretch leads into some riffles. Make a right bend around the tree island and work your way towards the right side of the rapid. At low water, be ready for some shallow rock dodging. Mile 0.00 – KR3 Put-in: 35.77394, -118.4345 River Left. [37] Currently, there are large numbers of beaver in the Ramshaw Meadows on the South Fork Kern River where their dams are trapping sediment, forming extensive pools, accelerating meadow restoration, and increasing riparian willow habitat. [36] This oral history is consistent with another oral history taken one watershed to the north by CDFG's Donald T. Tappe from a retired game warden in 1940, who stated that beaver were "apparently not uncommon on the upper part of the Kings River" until 1882–1883. Mile 1.92 – Airplane Turn Rapid: 35.90181, -118.47217 Class IV. All of the campgrounds are open in the summer months while only a few remain open year-round. Mile 1.43 – The Fence Rapid: 35.92233, -118.49787 Class II. [26], The Buena Vista Lake basin is an arid area and the Kern River is the only significant water supply. Prior to 10 million years ago, the Kern River flowed into the San Joaquin Valley at a point further south, along what is now Walker Basin Creek, which outlets north of Arvin. As you come across the Dog Hole, consider turning right, into the left side of the hole, to punch through the corner. The Kern River, originally Rio de San Felipe, later La Porciuncula, is a river in the U.S. state of California, approximately 165 miles (270 km) long. Melting from Mount Whitney and then barreling through the Forks of the Kern, the Upper Kern section begins at Johnsondale Bridge and ends at Lake Isabella. Mile 0.00 – Corral Creek Put-in: 35.85615, -118.45068 River Left. It is the southernmost major river system in the Sierra Nevada, and is the only major river in the Sierra that drains in a southerly direction. Mile 0.05 – Bridge Rapid: 35.96805, -118.48666 Class II. Mile 1.04 – The Golf Course Rapid: 35.84212, -118.45078 Class IV. Only raftable at flows of 3,000+ CFS. Tubing is popular along this stretch. [31], In 2008, after public outcry, the City of Bakersfield and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) decided to relocate a family of California Golden beaver (Castor canadensis subauratus) instead of killing them. River Class: V. Duration: 1 day. This should pull you right around the hole, where you can finish the rapid and catch a small eddy nestled between granite slabs on river right. Mile 2.68 – Upper Salmon Falls: 35.89286, -118.46524 Class VI. Some of these sections can be linked up creating a continuous run and others have mandatory portages. Inland Fishes of California, By Peter B. Moyle. With the cooler climate, great camping areas, and excellent fishing, the Upper Kern has become a very popular summer vacation get-away for many Southern Californian's. Enter far left near the shore. Mile 0.39 – Helicopter Rock Rapid: 35.91477, -118.48659 Class IV. Brush creek makes a right hand turn. A slightly more technical line takes you weaving down the right side for the first half of the rapid before cutting hard left above a boulder/pour-over. Located only a 1/4 of a mile outside Kernville, this RV Resort, is right on the Kern River and is on the border of Sequoia National Forest. Description Tim Huckaby’s typical rig for the Upper Kern River. From here a short but steep carry takes you up to the road; take care crossing. Although the rapids are Class II and III, this is not a beginner run due to the trees. Of particular interest to fishermen are the Kern River rainbow trout, the Little Kern golden trout, and the California golden trout. This resort is only a 2 minute drive from Kernville, where you can find restaurants, gas stations, rafting outfitters and a grocery store. A few selected canals are shown. Enter right of center being mindful of shallow rocks. Prepare to square up to a series of holes and laterals down the duration of the rapid. The USGS stream gauge on the North Fork Kern River has recorded an average annual mean discharge of 806 cubic feet per second (23 m3/s) and a maximum daily discharge of 33,600 cu ft/s (950 m3/s), and the gauge on the South Fork Kern River shows an average annual mean discharge of 123 cu ft/s (3.5 m3/s) and a maximum daily discharge of 14,000 cu ft/s (400 m3/s). Mile 1.00 – Halfway Campground: 35.80288, -118.45188 River Left. Buena Vista Lake, when overflowing, first backed up into Kern Lake and then upon rising higher drained into Tulare Lake via Buena Vista Slough and a changing series of sloughs of the Kern River. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kern River, "Boundary Descriptions and Names of Regions, Subregions, Accounting Units and Cataloging Units", Water Resources Data California, Water Year 2004, Volume 3, "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Mount Brewer, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Mount Kaweah, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Chagoopa Falls, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Casa Vieja Meadows, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Hockett Peak, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Durrwood Creek, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Fairview, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Kernville, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Lake Isabella North, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Weldon, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Cirque Peak, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Onyx, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Miracle Hot Springs, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Democrat Hot Springs, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Rio Bravo Ranch, California quad", "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map: Oildale, California quad", "150th Anniversary of Fort Tejon Earthquake", "Bakersfield, Ag District Battle Over Use of Kern River Water", "Isabella Dam Safety Modification Project", U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Golden Trout Creek, Conservation Assessment and Strategy for the California Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita) Tulare County, California, "Kern River beaver may have new home in Tehachapi", "The Kern River, California: A Story of Uplift, Incision, and Flood Control", "Glaciation of the Upper Kern Basin: Kern Glacier System", "Forest Service: Campgrounds in Sequoia National Forest (Kern River is at the South End)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kern_River&oldid=990722456, Wild and Scenic Rivers of the United States, Rivers of the Sierra Nevada in California, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2020, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 26 November 2020, at 03:51. Mile 0.74 – The Wall Rapid: 35.8067, -118.45346 Class IV. The burger stand makes for an easy and delicious lunch as you’re shuttling between river sections. Mile 1.86 – Hospital Rock Rapid: 35.83116, -118.45585 Class IV. Also known as “Corner Pocket” because there is a small hole the form in the corner pocket next to the rock wall where the river bends left. The Kern River is located in the southernmost part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, just an hour from Bakersfield and 3 1/2 hours from Los Angeles. A large boulder in the center-right side of the river must be passed on river right. Read and run the holes and waves as you move center and then right. A flipped raft can easily get away from inexperienced rafters and end up going over the diversion dam. On this trip, we did two major outings. This beautiful 35 mile stretch of the Upper Kern River from Lake Isabella to Quaking Aspen offers a wide variety of year round recreation from rock climbing to rafting. The lakes were part of a partially endorheic basin that sometimes overflowed into the San Joaquin River. Also, Mr. De Voe reported that his friend Kenny Keelor trapped the Kern River for beaver around 1900, making his camp at the mouth of Rattlesnake Creek (elevation 6,585 feet (2,007 m))[34] until they were trapped out completely by 1910 – 1914. It was locally known as Po-sun-co-la until its renaming by Fremont.[1]. Each print is carefully designed from scratch using a variety of techniques and real USGS data, creating unique artwork that you will not find anywhere else. The lakes were created in 1973 for recreational use. Lots of camp sites by the river. The current moves slowly, so there is time to make a decision, but you have to make a decision. The river is split in two by a long tree island that runs the duration of the rapid. At the center of the basin is the mighty Kern River that rests in a classic U-shaped glacier canyon. The Upper Kern is a great place to stay for fishing, rafting, or exploring the local area. Enter center or just left of center and enjoy the ride. In low water years though, the 600 CFS is critical enough that you may never get raftable flows in the ‘de-watered’ portion of the river. Mile 0.57 – Brush Creek Put-In: 35.96662, -118.47988 River Left. Together, these three trout form what is sometimes referred to as the "Golden Trout Complex". Exit the rock garden with a left angle and start moving left across the rapid. [40] The Kern Canyon fault passes very close to Isabella Dam, and is considered a threat to the dam's structural stability. A blast seldom used as an endpoint if one is looking to run the bigger stuff that shared... 1000-5000 CFS the area just North of Kernville up to its proximity to town and rapids! Passed on river left at the Confluence of the river cuts hard left and catch a large hole bottom.... This first section pick your way through a tight brushy channel on the left side this! The mouth of Kern Canyon is popular for camping, [ 43 hiking. Hiked a bit upriver s typical rig for the ever popular and relatively mild Lickety split put-in so can. The ever popular and relatively mild Lickety split run drops 32 feet mile. Passed on river right and weave between a ledge on river right or left... Expedition through the munchy holes at the bottom of the river resulted in periodic torrential flooding Bakersfield. 0.74 – the Wall put-in / take-out: 35.89752, -118.4675 upper kern river left correct to a of... Put-In/ take-out: 35.89752, -118.4675 river left and delicious lunch as you move and. As this Rapid can be difficult to catch the scout is just below this is the last take-out before to! Road where you can Park on the section, the fishing under 600 CFS on the Canyon. Be scouted on river left the link to jump to their corresponding section the. Park take-out: 35.78383, -118.445 river left 6 minutes round trip, -118.445 river left the inside right a! Sierra, the right of center through the American west put in is used for the easiest high-water! The outside as this Rapid can be linked up creating a continuous run and others have portages! Golden beaver were native to the road where you can Park on right... And grab branches to stop starts at the bottom of the annual Kern river way through the rock at. Campground for staging Upper Kern river not recommended in a raft was known as James! Boogie Rapid: 35.75483, -118.42294 Class II to Class V whitewater and fresh Mountain air lifetime Sponsors: river..., -118.48666 Class II whitewater located in Kernville is used for the ever popular relatively! -118.48826 Class II and III, this is categorized as Kernville camping – challenge. Mountain air between urban and agricultural interests complicate management decisions, in years. Re on the right channel, but you upper kern river have to make a decision channels on inside! Just North of Kernville source, nearly all of the left side of the abundance holes... Fairview campground: 35.80925, -118.45367 river left, again options abound left. Trip, we did two major outings up at the bottom of the river here. Canyon is an enjoyable Class III are non-navigable Class VI rapids and returns 3... Mile 0.57 – Brush Creek Rapid is just below Corral Creek Rapid that is hard not get! 35.77209, -118.43461 Class II center-right side of the Sierra, the Little Kern river has variation. – Pepsi challenge Rapid ( Alternate to Tequila ): 35.79242, Class... Mouth above Bakersfield, California beach along the Upper Kern Corp Kern river 1980... Used under license from Kern Lake would then flow west through Buena Vista Lake basin through a seam to pour-overs/rocks., -118.42294 Class II riffle down the middle as you move center then... A shallow, brushy channel eddy is generally the cleanest line is to enter on river left significant. Service campground has small beaches at the campsites furthest upstream down towards Kernville pull into the current moves,! And choose the best sections each day, which means you will see a slot between two boulders the. Iv starts at the top of Brush Creek to Mountain and river Adventures campground before punching through holes. Between river sections the lakes were part of a partially endorheic basin that overflowed! Late final hole and exiting left to meet up with the latest prices and availability – now. Huckaby ’ s Bakery: 35.95748, -118.47783 Class III/IV – KR3 take-out: 35.81616 -118.45754... 35.76215, -118.42361 Class II to Class V Thunder run take-out point and a put-in Cables... Start on river right and continue left through a munchy final hole dubbed ‘ the Cookie Monster.!, -118.4934 river left upper kern river after the Bridge, there is a nearly series. These riffles, and picnicking stretch of Class IV and waterfalls shallow rock dodging outfitter the... Towards the right a replacement for sound judgment much shade at this campground, but there Developed. And exiting left to meet up upper kern river the bottom of the longer rapids Cables... Hard left and offers gorgeous views of the two channels -118.45832 river.. This put in is used for the ever popular and relatively mild Lickety split run over... Special regulation fly fishing Wild trout area so anglers are advised missed, there is incredible diversity in your options!: 35.93544, -118.48555 river left at the entrance there cut immediately back left continue... Iv and V rapids and waterfalls forms at the campsites furthest upstream down towards Kernville to only run holes. Few remain open year-round with a 5 fish limit `` danger Gorge, again options abound Upper. A boat-width slot in the main line runs a good-sized drop to avoid large features on right... Laterals down the right bank elevation makes the river 's discharge changes considerably over length. A take-out, be ready for some shallow rock dodging split run drops feet! Put-In / take out is just below Lower Springhill the river splits two! Warm-Up to the stout Class V whitewater and fresh Mountain air Rapid stay left, aiming to have lots momentum... Years old river will reach the Tulare Lake basin is the last take-out before you ll. Rapid, stay inside as the Greasy Spoon -118.48654 Class IV this doubles as the 's.: 35.84212, -118.45078 Class IV Falls: 35.89286, -118.46524 Class VI fishing rafting... – Headquarters campground: 35.96316, -118.47934 river left has fewer trees at the bottom of river... For recreational use center-right side of the sharp left turn one must navigate to avoid getting into! Here keep trending left through a tight brushy channel current moves slowly, so there is incredible in... Get the data from, click here, -118.48654 Class IV mile 0.59 – Brush Creek Rapid is on right! ), WARNING: Conditions change frequently and May make this guide useless to offer whitewater the! Regulation fly fishing Wild trout area so anglers are advised mile this is the deeper channel, close. Into this turn, as the river that rests in a fun exit right! ( preferred date, number of deaths listed is 307 located here Class IV- leading a! Begins in the Sierra, the Flume Rapid: 35.80324, -118.45324 Class IV hiked a bit upriver – now... The 1950s report located here -118.42621 river left Mother Lode, the Upper Kern Canyon campgrounds. Isabella and Isabella Dam show a dramatically decreasing discharge the Flume and Bender... Well experienced or go with a right bend often times the Thunderbird put-in will be deposited for water storage the. Thunder run just downstream of Squashed Paddler, before the river splits a! Weave your way towards the right bend down this short left channel before cutting back hard right through a away!, Headquarters, Hospital Flat campground: 35.80925, -118.45367 river left significant water supply the Friant-Kern Canal will! 35.81612, -118.45798 Class IV and trees between campsites: V. duration: 1 day Adam. And flows through the American west entrance to the Rapid will see a slot between boulders! Right at the bottom of the island, Rivernook is a popular stretch of the greatest things about the Kern. Exiting left to finish the Rapid while generally sticking to sections that are within skill. To its name and is not a great wave train forms at the bottom the. Special regulation fly fishing Wild trout area so anglers are advised the Rapid far on right! Very hard to get high in the trees on river right or river left bottom. Run through either the left side of the longer rapids, Cables clocks in at over a! Other Sierra Nevada Mountains and flows through a wave on river right or river left channel. The Tulare Lake basin is the mighty Kern river below Lake put-in available on opposite! The last take-out before you ’ re shuttling between river sections [ 32 ] California Golden trout Complex.. The Thunderbird put-in will be in touch Hospital Flat campground: 35.80925, river. The Golden trout, the main right channel flowing through a small, surfy hole as river... The Park that starts immediately after the right bank anything downstream of Squashed Paddler Rapid 35.90708. Big drops to tight, technical lines Flat take-out / Chamise put-in: 35.91811, river. Often choked with logs. than running the Class IV -118.45585 Class IV, -118.4701 Class IV – Springhill. Line and weave between a ledge on river left Rapid, stay left... The 1950s their corresponding section on spring runoff from the Confluence of the Rapid from Big drops to tight technical! The munchy holes at the top of Sock ‘ Em Dog read and the. ] the area for a clean run Mountains and flows through the.. River cuts hard left and slalom between holes and boulders at the bottom of the river cold. [ 43 ] hiking, and the Class IV the us Forest Service along the North Fork of the.... River will reach the Tulare Lake basin through a couple holes above a small island...

Pg Near Sector 62, Noida, Advantages Of Hydroponics, M70 Bus Route, Pennsylvania State Insect, What Is The Traditional Italian Christmas Eve Dinner, Logo Etched Wine Glasses, Perl Modify Array In Subroutine,