{"id":401,"date":"2022-05-28T06:35:42","date_gmt":"2022-05-28T13:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/totalescape.com\/destinations\/?p=401"},"modified":"2022-10-15T21:42:20","modified_gmt":"2022-10-16T04:42:20","slug":"kern-river-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/destinations\/kern-river-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Kern River California"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"mistykern\"
Lower Kern River Wildflowers in April<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kern River\u00a0Recreation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Due east of Bakersfield, CA the Kern Canyon’s massive rock opens to the west with big water. CA 178<\/a> Narrow 2-lane highway, lined by tall rock walls, cliffs, curves, few pull-outs and less guardrails. Geologically, the drive is impressive entering the canyon.<\/p>\n

A large sign with death toll looms at the entrance, warning you to stay out and stay alive.<\/p>\n

The Kern River is a southern flow, draining much of the southern\u00a0mountains in the Sierra Nevada, including much Mount Whitney snow melt. \u00a0Lake Isabella redirects the river westward to the Central Valley, so farmers can grow orchards of fruit. Citrus blossom fragrance fills the air on warm evenings, so be prepared to roll down the windows as you exit suburbia.<\/p>\n

\"hobocamp\"<\/p>\n

Kern County<\/a>: Southern Sierra Nevada mountains river canyon, this prized recreation destination is the main attraction for the entire county. Lake levels at Isabella<\/a> are often low, so know before you go w\/ the Dam Task Force web page link and info.<\/p>\n

The few oak & pines trees around this river may be the only shade you will find in the summer on the southern end, and this place can get triple digit hot in summer months (so be forewarned). A refreshing dip in the cool Kern River is what you really seek, but this is a real river, a fast river, a dangerous white water river<\/strong> – so take extreme precautions around this river w\/ life jackets. Hundreds have died already, as the sign tells us so. Rafters consider whitewater rating a Class V, \u00a0for most of the lower Kern section.\"kernriver3_i\"<\/p>\n

Upper Kern: Main fork of the Kern River<\/strong> is situated along the Rincon Fault line, which become the granite gorge of Kern River Canyon\u00a0further north; the initial snowmelt and headwaters are located deep in backcountry of the Golden Trout Wilderness<\/a>. All draining the backside of Mount Whitney and the Great Western Divide.<\/p>\n

\"raftkern\"<\/p>\n

This larger, \u00a0main river fork parallels the\u00a0Sierra Hwy north of Kernville, CA<\/strong> with many miles of epic scenery. Plenty of camping for all types, fishing, tubing, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking and backpackers trailheads.<\/p>\n

NFS Kern Campgrounds<\/a><\/strong>; FREE CAMPING @ Kern Flats<\/a>, also used as picnic areas and raft launch spots.<\/p>\n

South fork of the Kern River<\/strong>\u00a0begins up in the Golden Trout Wilderness. Tulare County. Eastern Sierra @ Olancha Peak. Monache Meadows, Inyo National Forest. The river traverses southward over the Kern plateau, Kennedy Meadows, Dome Land Wilderness<\/a>. Chimney Peak<\/a> Wilderness, \u00a0Long Valley Campground.<\/a>\u00a0At Pilot Knob (6200′ elev) the South Kern turns west to join Lake Isabella.<\/p>\n

Lower Kern: West of Lake Isabella<\/strong>, the river continues tumbling down the rocky, oak hills below the Greenhorn\u00a0Mountains and eventually ends up at Lake Ming, or downtown Bako.<\/p>\n

Little Kern River: <\/strong>a smaller, western fork coming down from Quinn Peak (10,168′ elev) on the Great Western Divide in the Golden Trout\u00a0Wilderness. It joins at the Forks of the Kern near Jerky Meadow.<\/p>\n

\"Lake<\/a>
Lake Isabella @ Kern Canyon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kern River Canyon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The whole Kern Canyon region is part of Sequoia National Forest<\/a> and always under a wildfire threat in the latter part of the year. Kern River is very popular with city dwellers seeking big Sierra water that is close to SoCal.<\/p>\n

Wildflowers are incredible in Kern County<\/strong> overall, and the Kern Canyon is no exception. Lower Kern blooms earlier than Upper Kern. Old Kern Canyon Road is a scenic drive that parallels the highway where you can find flora blooming March – May. Above Kernville the wildflower showing may be short, but sweet. Large river Lupine can be found at almost every campground, while Golden Poppies and Owls Clover line meadows near the main highway.<\/p>\n

\"owls
Upper Kern Wildflowers – Owls Clover<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"SEQUOIA<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sequoia National Forest<\/a>
\nLake Isabella
\nUSFS Headquarters\u00a0\"ranger\"<\/p>\n

Ranger Station
\n760-379-5236<\/p>\n

Backpacking & Hiking Kern Canyon<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

A variety of terrain in the southern\u00a0Sierra Nevada\u00a0mountains will have you puzzled where to start. From cedar forests to\u00a0Sequoia groves, mountain peaks to fishing creeks, granite domes to granite gorges, wildflowers to waterfalls, hot springs to hot summers, Kern County has it.<\/p>\n

Winter backpacking is quite popular here, as snow levels do not drop as drastically as in other\u00a0mountain locations. Elevations from 1000′ – 4000′ are often ideal for winter hiking trips. Summer is usually best in the higher elevations, above 5000′<\/p>\n

Wilderness permits are required for backcountry overnight stays.<\/p>\n

Kern Hiking trailheads\"hiker\"<\/strong><\/p>\n