Kern and Tulare counties,
north of Kernville, south-central California
Driving Time
Bakersfield—1 hour; Los
Angeles—3 hours
Difficulty
Class III-IV+; Class IV
paddle rafting experience required
Trip Length
20 miles (32 km), or less
Trip Options
Paddle raft, oar raft; one
and two day
Season
May-July
The upper Kern River,
between Johnsondale Bridge and River Kern Beach at the top of Lake
Isabella Reservoir, although slightly less demanding than the Forks
run, still has plenty of exciting whitewater of varying difficulty.
The Class III-IV Limestone run above Fairview Dam is just a warm-up
for the whitewater in the dam's tailwaters. The 17 miles (27 km)
from the dam to Kernville includes the Fairview and Goldledge, or
Thunder Run stretches, which offer numerous Class III-V rapids. Some
outfitters now offer family and first-timer float trips through
Class II-III Powerhouse, Big Daddy, and Ewings rapids beginning just
above Kernville.
whitewater of varying difficulty.
The Class III-IV Limestone run above Fairview Dam is just a warm-up
for the whitewater in the dam's tailwaters. The 17 miles (27 km)
from the dam to Kernville includes the Fairview and Goldledge, or
Thunder Run stretches, which offer numerous Class III-V rapids. Some
outfitters now offer family and first-timer float trips through
Class II-III Powerhouse, Big Daddy, and Ewings rapids beginning just
above Kernville.