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Outdoor Adventures |
800-323-4234 |
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| Section |
Forks of the Kern |
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Location |
Tulare County, south of
Sequoia National Park, south-central California |
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Driving Time |
Bakersfield—1 hour; Los
Angeles—3 hours |
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Difficulty |
Class IV-V+; Class IV
paddle rafting experienced required |
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Trip Length |
18 miles (29 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle raft, oar raft; two
and three days |
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Season |
April-July |
The remarkable Kern
River, only a few hours from Los Angeles, is one of California's
premier whitewater rivers. Fed by the snowmelt of Mount Whitney,
highest peak in the contiguous forty-eight states, the Kern, unlike
most Sierra waters, flows north-to-south  instead of east-to-west for
100 of its 165 miles (264 km). Kern River's four outfitters offer
nearly 40 miles (64 km) of exciting whitewater and beautiful Sierra
scenery between Sequoia National Park and Bakersfield.
The
Forks of the Kern run, which is formed by the confluence of the
Little Kern and the main Kern, is rated by whitewater experts as one
of the most technically demanding runs in California. The Forks, as
the river is called by outfitters, has a gradient of 60 feet per
mile creating numerous Class IV-V+ rapids and waterfalls, many of
which must be scouted and, during high water, sometimes must be
portaged.
Access
to the Forks of the Kern is almost as difficult as its whitewaters.
The put-in, at the confluence of the Little Kern and the main Kern,
requires a 3-mile (5-km) long steep hike into the ravine. All food
and river equipment is transported by pack animals, and each guest
carries his or her personal items.
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