Kern, California, US
|
|
2) Forks of the Kern to Johnsondale Bridge
| Usual Difficulty |
III-V (varies with level) |
| Length |
16.8 Miles |
Forks of the Kern -Westwall
Forks of the Kern -WestwallPhoto of Dave Priem by Robert King KHCC taken 5/2001 @ 5500cfs
Gauge Information
| Name |
Range |
Difficulty |
Updated |
Level |
|
No. Kern At Kernville
|
|
dream-104 |
400 - 5000 cfs
|
IV-V |
03h34m |
392
cfs
(rc= -0.0 ) |
River Description
The Forks of the Kern is a classic class 5- section with outstanding Scenery. It
is a popular kayak run and also supports commercial rafting trips. Kayakers tend to do the run in a
single day while the commercial companies stretch it into two or even three days to allow their
customers to savor the experience.
Permits are Required by Sequoia National Forest between May 15 and Sept. 15. Only
15 people per day are allowed to launch on the river.
River Permit
information
Getting There: Johnsondale Bridge is about 25 minutes north of Kernville and about one
hour and 40 minutes from Bakersfield. If coming from the north it is faster to turn off of highway
99 at Earlimart to go through Ducor and California Hot Springs. Allow about one hour and 20 minutes
from Earlimart. Sometimes people drive through Springville and up through the Tule River Canyon,
but this is a slow drive due to the narrow, windy road. Allow an hour and a half just from
Springville, not counting stops for gawking at the Tule canyon.
Take-out: Johnsondale bridge.
topozone map,
google map.
Put-in: Forks of the Kern trail. From Johnsondale bridge drive west about 4
miles then turn left and follow signs to the Forks trailhead. This road is closed in the winter
and opens back up in the spring. The gate is about 3 miles past the junction, just past Camp
Whitsett, near Dry Meadow Creek. Call the Kernville office at (760)-376-3781 to find out if the
road is open or not.
topozone map,
google map.
Other Information Sources:
Sequoia Forest: Forks
info
Sequoia National Forest Kernville
office phone # 760-376-3781
Sierra South store
Cacreeks.com
River Permit
information
Cassady & Calhoun, Holbek & Stanley, Alan Baty
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2007-04-16 12:36:40
Realtime Flows
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
ran across a ranger. The forks is a great class IV+ wilderness run with a few V's. Be sure to go
with someone who knows the section well as it is very continuous and there are a couple big holes
in the "gauntlet" that you can't scout...good luck. Edit
everything is. For fun you should provide for the people at the rate of 1,000 per day. Sonny Edit
paddling groups on the Forks of the Kern. A public meeting is being held on Thursday, August 16,
2007 at the Senior Center in Lake Isabella from 4-6pm to discuss aspects of this and other new fees
being planned for forest visitors. The unneeded reservation system for one day trips on the Forks
is already an annoyance. A new fee will add injury to the irritation.