{"id":8481,"date":"2021-08-09T01:05:26","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T08:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tx.netius.net\/?p=8481"},"modified":"2022-01-02T02:08:58","modified_gmt":"2022-01-02T10:08:58","slug":"kern-river-camping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/outside\/rivers\/kern-river-camping\/","title":{"rendered":"Kern River Camping"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"relaxing<\/p>\n

Kern River California<\/h2>\n

Kern River is a top recreation destination for the lower half of the state, since it is the only big Sierra river within easy reach of Southern California.<\/p>\n

Lower mountain elevations 2000-4000′ means camping all year is possible on the Kern. With only a few inches of rainfall, plus an average high temperature of 60 degrees in December & January, Kernville<\/a> has become a year-round recreation destination for the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains. Kern Canyon<\/a>\u00a0and most surrounding mountains are managed by USDA:\u00a0Sequoia\u00a0National Forest<\/a>, which extends south to the Tehachapi<\/a> range!<\/p>\n

Sierra Nevada ROAD CLOSURES<\/strong> during winter restricts that Kern Canyon is only accessible via the Hwy 178<\/a> route. Both the Western Divide Highway (to the north) and Sherman’s Pass Road<\/a>\u00a0(to the east) close for many months, due to snow. (typically, NOV-APRIL closure)<\/p>\n

\"Snowy<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Popular Kern Recreation – backpacking, camping, fishing, hiking, river rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, off-roading & floating (inner tubing).<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Kern<\/p>\n

Kern River can be divided into 5 different & distinct regions:<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"kern
Granite gorge, Kern River, South of Whitney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kern River High Country<\/strong><\/h2>\n

headwaters of the Kern River.
\nHigh Sierra, Golden Trout Wilderness<\/a>, Kern Hot Springs, Mount Whitney snowmelt, Kern Gorge.\u00a0foot access only, wilderness backcountry.\u00a0<\/strong>fishing, day hikes, backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, horse packs.<\/p>\n

\"fencedmeadow\"<\/p>\n

Upper Kern Plateau<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Southern Fork of the Kern River
\nGolden Trout Wilderness<\/a>
\nMonache Meadows<\/a> (Inyo NF)
\nTroy Meadows
\nKennedy Meadows<\/a>
\nHorse Meadow Campground<\/a>
\nBig Meadow<\/a>
\nLong Valley Campground<\/a>
\nChimney Creek Campground<\/a>
\nChimney Peak Backcountry Byway<\/a><\/p>\n

\"johnsondale<\/h3>\n

Forks of the Kern<\/strong><\/h2>\n

(areas north of Johnsondale)<\/p>\n

Johnsondale Bridge<\/strong>
\nbackpackers & fishing trailheads
\nBig parking lot at the bridge. trails travel rivers edge into a tight canyon, impressive rock gorge continues up to the tallest mountain peaks in the High Sierra.<\/p>\n

\"rincon\"
\nShermans Pass Road<\/a>\u00a0hard right, up hill, turn-off
\n<\/strong>the main (paved) route that connects Kern River to Mojave desert.<\/p>\n

RINCON CAMP –<\/strong>\u00a0The Rincon Fault (an earthquake fault line) runs in a north-south direction, on the east side of Kern River. Popular and rugged RINCON, a dirt bike and mountain bike trail runs this ridge as well. An overgrown hunters camp (which has been almost destroyed) is located up hill from Brush Creek falls; but accessible via unmaintained dirt road – unsigned pull out, just off Shermans’ Pass Road. High clearance vehicle is needed to reach this spot.<\/p>\n

Johnsondale Cabins: R Ranch<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"johnsondale\"
Johnsondale under Fire 2002<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sequoia #22S82 – Forks of the Kern Road<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

>> recently burnt in wildfire<\/span> Windy Fire 2021<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nBoy Scout Camp Whitsett
\nLloyds Meadow
\nKern River Gorge
\nLower Peppermint Campground
\nPrimitive camps – Camp 1, Camp 2, Camp 3, Camp 4, Camp 5
\nJerky Meadows Trailhead to Golden Trout Wilderness<\/a><\/p>\n

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

Upper Kern River<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Kern River north of Kernville, CA\"NFS\"<\/a><\/p>\n