Forks of the Kern Two Day Rafting

Running high in the Sierra from its source near Mt. Whitney, the Forks of the Kern is the most difficult and remote run we offer. A 2 day Forks of the Kern run is considered one of the premier wilderness whitewater rafting trips in the USA.

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Duration

2 days (6-7 hours per day)

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About

Pre-Trip Meeting Time
The evening before your trip, at 7pm

11300 Kernville, Rd

Kernville, CA 93238

Trip arrival Time
Day of your trip

6:30am

Trip Departure time
Day of your trip

7:00am

Trip Meeting Location
Day of your trip

11300 Kernville, Rd

Kernville, CA 93238

Pre-Trip Meeting
The evening before your trip at 7pm, the lead guide will hold an informational meeting to discuss trip details and hand out waterproof bags for your gear. 

Fill out Waiver Form & Pre Trip Questionnaire 

Click here to fill out and submit your waiver.

Each member of your party needs to completely fill out, read, understand, and sign our Release of Liability and Waiver Form and our pre-trip questionnaire well in advance so we can properly outfit and meet the needs of the trip.

Parking
Secure parking in Frandy Park Campground is available for $8 dollars a day. There is also free street parking all along Kernville but we cannot assure the safety of your vehicle. 

Lodging and Camping
There are plenty of lodging and camping options in the Kern River Valley. View our lodging guide here. View our camping guide here (Link to each page)

Trip Details
The Headwaters of the Kern begins its journey as melted snow from the top of 14,505ft Mt Whitney. By the time the river reaches our put-in at the confluence of the North Fork Kern and the Little Kern, the water temperature is in the 40s. A wetsuit, paddling jacket, and fleece are included in your trip fee. We recommend wearing sturdy sneakers with neoprene or wool socks. This is the best footwear for stability, moving around on rocky trails, and foot protection. Standard booties do not provide enough support and protection when moving around the banks of the river. A wetsuit is absolutely essential to keep you comfortable and avoid hypothermia. 

Please return your completed Release of Liability and Waiver along with the pre-trip questionnaire that provides personal information that we have requested well in advance of your trip.

On the morning of the trip, we meet at our Headquarters in Kernville at 6:30am sharp. After checking in, we board our bus for the 2-hour drive to Lloyd Meadows and the trailhead to the Forks of the Kern. From there, we hike 2 miles to the river.

The hike is downhill, switch-backing steadily with a striking view of the canyon. You must carry your own gear, which usually weighs about thirty pounds. The trail is easy going, and the waterproof duffels Sierra South provides have convenient shoulder straps. Please bring only essential items so we can keep the weight of the boats and your pack to a minimum.

You will meet the rest of the guides at the put-in who have helped pack the boats down to the river by horseback the previous day. While the boats are readied and the equipment stowed, we will serve lunch. You will have a chance to pack items you want during the day in waterproof containers. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and perhaps a camera. This will also be a time to go over further safety and logistics concerns.

We start rafting around mid-day on the first day. The two days on the river take us through breathtaking rapids, all piled one on top of another. Freeman Creek, Vortex, Confusion, the Gauntlet, and Carson Falls are some of the highlights of this 18 mile stretch of river. We reach take-out the evening of the second day and arrive back to Sierra South Headquarters sometime between 5-7pm.

On River Procedures

The Forks of the Kern is a snow-melt river subject to quick changes in high mountain weather conditions, and the water level can rise or fall significantly in a few hours. At some water levels, rapids such as Carson Falls, Confusion, and Vortex may be unsafe to run. At these times, the Lead Guide may elect to line or portage the boats and equipment around these spots or to have the guides row the boats through with no passengers in them. On most trips, there will be time for hikes up side canyons and streams. Fishing here is great. You can try your luck at our overnight camp and lunch stops. If you plan to fish, you must obtain a fishing license.

YOUR HEALTH

The Forks of the Kern is fun, fast, and challenging. To participate, you must be in good health. You may also need to perform certain physical activities. These include swimming, hiking in rugged or uneven terrain, climbing in and out of rafts and assisting in rescues of yourself and others. Please fill out the Forks of the Kern Guest Questionnaire many days in advance.

EQUIPMENT

We use the highest quality inflatable rafts. The majority of your guides will be rowing stern-mounted oar frames. We provide necessary river equipment;, life vests, paddles, helmets, first aid equipment, wetsuits, safety supplies, satellite messengers, portable toilets, and kitchen gear. Do not bring your own life vest. Ours are approved for rafting by the U.S Coast Guard and we require that they are worn by all guests.

RESPONSIBILITY

Trip participants should understand that river trips involve known and unknown risks. Sierra South assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, or loss/ damage to the client ̇s property while on the river. All clients must sign a Release of Liability and Waiver expressly acknowledging these points. Sierra South assumes no responsibility for vehicles and/or the contents of vehicles parked during the trip.

AGE LIMITS

Minimum age 16 years old.

This age limit is in place for the safety of our guests and our guides.

ALCOHOL

If you bring alcohol on your trip, we ask that you drink in moderation and only while in camp in the evening. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited while rafting or prior to rafting for your safety and for the safety of your fellow guests and our guides. Glass is prohibited in the Sequoia National Forest.

MEALS

All on-river meals are provided beginning with lunch on the first day and ending with lunch the last day. The food is fresh, hearty, and prepared by our guides.

WETSUITS

Wetsuits, Paddle Jackets, and Fleece are all provided.

HELMETS

While on the water, we require that helmets be worn by all Forks of the Kern guests.

GUIDES

Our Forks of the Kern guides are world-class talents and highly trained river professionals. They are knowledgeable about all things that are required for a Class V river trip.

PHOTOS

On most trips, we capture photos of your raft. These are then uploaded and available for purchase at the conclusion of your trip.

WEATHER

The Forks of the Kern can experience cold, changeable, high mountain weather. Our experience has shown that fleece or wool clothing with thermal underwear provides the best all-weather comfort. Tents will be needed throughout the spring and summer.

CANCELLATIONS

Learn about our cancellation policy here. (Link to reservation policies)

TRIP INSURANCE

We recommend you supplement personal insurance with travel insurance. Cancellation initiated by you may result in substantial loss of fees paid. Available insurance protects against the loss of deposits in the event you must cancel because of unforeseen circumstances.

TIPPING

Guests sometimes ask whether gratuities are appropriate. If you enjoyed your trip, please feel free to leave a tip with your guide. Guests typically leave 20% – 25% of the trip cost. Gratuities will be shared among all the guides on the trip.

PERMITS

Our trips are conducted under a permit issued by the U.S. Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest. Our permit is your assurance that Sierra South Mountain Sports is legally operating on the river. Our operations and facilities are operated on a nondiscriminatory basis.

WHAT TO BRING

Windbreaker or Paddling Jacket.

Sunblock.

Lip balm.
Sleeping bag and ground cloth (must be polar guard type and compactly stuffable. Do not bring bulky cotton bags)
Sleeping Pad
Thermal underwear, tops, and bottoms.

Hiking or sturdy shoes for trail/camp.

Insect repellant.

Wool socks.

Gloves.

Sunglasses.

Swimsuit or board shorts.

Visor or hats.

Strap to secure sunglasses.

Water bottle.

Rain jacket and rain pants.

Toiletries.

Change of clothing.

On-river footwear (neoprene socks and sneakers).

Fleece pullover or wool sweater.

Wool cap or hat.

All items must fit in 100L Dry Bag

Optional items might include reading material, sketch pad, field glasses, fishing equipment (rods in protective aluminum cases), camera, and personal beverages (in unbreakable containers). Do not bring radios or firearms.

Remember we carry everything with us. Pack light. All items must fit in 100L Drybag!

Sierra South reserves the right to turn away those that we feel are not ready to tackle the class V trip. We may also substitute a class IV trip as an alternative. If we cancel a trip because the customer is not ready for class V whitewater, the customer will receive a refund, less a $25 processing fee per person.

Participating in a Class V Paddlers Evaluation in no way certifies your ability to successfully paddle class V whitewater or guarantees your safety.

Sierra South reserves the right to substitute oar/paddle combinations for paddle boats.

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Highlights:

• This trip offers continuous Class IV-V whitewater for 17 miles.
• A Class V Paddler’s Evaluation is required prior to running Class V whitewater.
• All Forks of the Kern participants must be physically fit, good swimmers, and have previous Class IV experience.
• Gourmet outdoor meals are prepared by the guides at the camp.
• Wetsuits & Dry-bags are included on our Forks trips.

• Months of operation: April-August
• Trip Times: 7:00 AM
• Minimums: Age: 16 Weight: 50lbs (We may weigh small children)
• Maximum Weight: 265lbs
• Limitations: All trips require a minimum of 8 guests. If participant numbers are not met we will notify you and provide various options for your trip to go.

All of our trips may be adjusted based on water levels and/or other conditions.