Pushing the Limits: Kayaking the Cataracts of the Kern

Yackass Productions recently released a great video on kayaking the Class 5+ Cataracts section of the Lower Kern River.   Kernville locals Evan Moore and Johny Chase, and friend Tad Dennis, are the stars of this incredible whitewater footage.  [Disclaimer: they are pros - dont try this at home]


The story is also featured in the newest edition of Kayak Session Magazine.

Nick Troutman, one of the most famous whitewater kayakers in the world, also joined on the big water and posted his video here:

Extreme Whitewater - Kern River 2017!

2017 is already an unreal year for whitewater on the Kern River. With a huge Sierra Snowpack, the peak flows will certainly extend throughout the summer!  Excited by the winter rains and flooding whitewater, some of the best paddlers in the world have been showing off their skills on the Kern River.

See incredible footage of local Kernville and professional kayaker Evan Moore on the Lower Kern River last week!!  This class 5+ run called "Cataracts of the Kern" was flowing high at 4400 cfs.


There was plenty of action!  Highlights of the carnage from Johnny Chase, Evan Moore, and Tad Dennis.


An infamous rapid named Fender Bender, a couple miles north of Kernville, was going off at 18,000 cfs. Watch Eric and Rebecca Giddens, former Olympians and Kern River Brewery owners, make it look easy!


Dont miss the Kern River Festival at the end of April this year!!

For more information on paddling the Kern, click here!

All of the River Flow information is found here.

Everything about adventures in the Kern River Sierra here.

Top 5 Mountain Bike Rides in Kernville / Southern Sierras

Here's just a sample of some of the great riding in the Kern River Sierra:

1. Cannell Trail - An IMBA EPIC with high alpine singletrack weaving up to almost 10,000 feet in elevation before plunging toward the Kern River at 2600 ft; this is a must-do ride!  Mountain River Adventures provides shuttles in Kernville. 

Enroute to the Cannell Plunge.

2. Just Outstanding - 5 miles of pure forested flowing bliss lead to several ride options. Riding to the raw and rowdy Dutch Flat Trail  down into Keyesville is a classic! Along the way, throw in Wagy Ridge to Rocky Gulch Trail  for a day you'll never forget.  Another favorite is to climb Wagy Road to Wagy Ridge Trail to AGTO ending near Boulder Gulch.

Feelin' the need for speed.

Just Outstanding Manzanita Tunnel.

3. Kern Canyon Trail - Amazing in the winter and spring, the 25 miles of singletrack make for an awesome cross country ride in the rolling hills above the lower Kern River.  Start in Keyesville for the big ride, or shorten the ride by pedaling from the Freeway Ridge Trailhead by the corral.

Feeling the flow on this big cross country ride.

Early Spring is the best time to ride!

4. Camp Nelson Trail & Bear Creek Trails -  Don't miss these two gems in the Giant Sequoias!  Both technical and flowy, the shorter Camp Nelson Trail is completely awesome.  A 2,000 foot climb to Bear Creek Trail leads to one of the best downhills around. For a huge day to remember, shuttle both and/or add in Freeman Creek Trail (see below). Watch for hikers on all these trails!

Amazing Giant Sequoia Grove on Bear Creek Trail.

Enduro style riding.

5. Pup Meadow / Portuguese Pass Trail & Northside / Tobias Trail  - The Greenhorn Mountains have so many riding options. Unfortunately the Cedar Fire of 2016 torched the southern section of Portuguese Pass Trail; but it is starting to recover!  One very popular cross country ride is to loop Portuguese Pass Trail by riding up the forest road from Greenhorn Summit to Portuguese Pass and beyond, then back down the trail.  

Further north, the excellent Pup Meadow Trail was recently reopened adding more forested singletrack above 7,000 feet!   A variety of loops are possible throughout the Greenhorns, as well as a long "Greenhorn Traverse" and other huge rides.  A new local favorite is to climb Pup Meadow Trail to Tobias Trail for a 5,000 foot wildly rugged descent down to the Kern River.  Tobias is still a very remote "adventure ride" and can be quite bushy and rutted in places. Click the links above for updates and ride ideas!

Portuguese Pass Trail

Pup Meadow Trail.

Other Awesome Trails:

Mill Creek & Remington Ridge Trails -   If you have a willing shuttle driver to do two laps,  riding both these trails will give you 9,000 feet of fast fun downhill!  Remington Ridge starts with a climb and then has an exciting descent, while the Mill Creek Trail is almost continuously all smooth downhill.

Upper Mill Creek Trail

Remington Ridge Trail

Freeman Creek Trail - This smooth fast singletrack weaves its way down through some incredible Giant Sequoias near the Golden Trout Wilderness.  A superb out 'n' back ride can start off Lloyd Meadows Rd past Johnsondale or at the top near Quaking Aspen on the Western Divide Hwy.   

Machine-built singletrack.

The George Bush Tree on Freeman Creek Trail

Unal Trail -  Short but so very sweet!  Most locals will bike a double loop, or combine Unal Trail with Just Outstanding  or Portuguese Pass Trails for extra riding.  Pedal counterclockwise for the most flowy and airborne descent! 

Unal Trailhead at Greenhorn Summit

Keyesville Classic - One of the most famous trails in the Kern River Valley just got much better!  This cross-country race course now has many more miles of great singletrack and fun re-routes to be enjoyed. Ride this all Winter and Spring!

Keyesville Classic.

Cedar Canyon Trail - One of the most remote rides in the region, these trails (especially in the second half of the ride) are very  physically demanding, very technical, often bushy, gnarly, and super epic.  One group of  unprepared riders had to hike-a-bike several miles of trail and finished 13 hours later.  Having said that as a warning, it is a completely awesome backcountry adventure ride with superb mountain and river scenery. With some trail maintenance and maybe a couple re-routes, this ride could easily be one of the best expert rides anywhere.  Check KernRiverSierra.com for trail updates before riding!

Cedar Canyon Trail

Which High Sierra Peaks Are In View?

 As seen from the Baker Point Lookout Tower:

From KernRiverSierra.com:  "...the most unique and awe-inspiring sight of all! In view is the grouping of the highest mountains in the entire contiguous USA! Several High Sierra peaks, including Mt Whitney and other "14ers" line the northern horizon. Because of the north/south trajectory of the Kern Canyon, it is possible to look out to the farthest extent of the Kern River drainage, through the heart of the Sierras."

Read about hiking Baker Point here.

Finally Snow in the High Country!

The high country is white! 

Yesterday (1/24/12) was a gorgeous day in the Greenhorns with a thin layer of fresh powder over a firm base, perfect conditions for free heel fun!     

Views towards Mt Whitney and the High Sierra.

Some tele-turns on a couple inches of snow.

Sherman Pass Road had not been plowed to the preferred winter trailhead as of early January 24th, but it could be clear by now.  There is 1-2+ feet of snow above 8,000 feet.

Winter Conditions can be checked on the Backcountry Web Cam Slideshow on KernRiverSierra.com.

2012 Winter/Spring Events in the Kern River Valley

Don't Miss Out!

February 17-20, 2012         Whiskey Flat Days, Kernville


March 16-25, 2012             Living Green Festival, Kern River Valley


March 31-April 1, 2012       Keyesville Classic Mountain Bike Race


March 31-April 1, 2012       Lake Isabella Fishing Derby


April 20-22, 2012                Kern River Festival, Kernville


Also:


Kernville Bike Park Open daily for Mountain Bike Skills 


BMX Racing on Saturdays / See Facebook page for Race and Official Practice updates

Keyesville Classic Mountain Bike Race 2011

Its time again for the 23rd Annual Keyesville Classic Mountain Bike Stage Race near Kernville!

This race is this weekend, March 18-20.

Rising pro racer, Cierra Smith, on last year's DH course.

(Photo by WMSmithPhoto.com)

Last year, racer attendance was increased by 25%, and tons of spectators were found lining the trails of the many bike events throughout the BLM managed Keyesville site.

The race featured many local riders as well as some of the top mountain bike racers in the country.

The dominant US racer, Kelli Emmett of Giant bicycles won the All Mountain women's Pro stage race (she also just won the prestigious Sea Otter Super D and Downieville All Mountain Championships). Kelli had lots of wonderful compliments for the event, and stated that Keyesville had the most fun Short Track she's ever raced. Her teammate Carl Decker, also the top pro XC/Super D racer in the country, won the stage race as well.

Kelli Emmett of Giant making a pass in the Short Track race.

Top U.S. rider, Carl Decker, in full race mode.

More Photos from 2010:

Bionicon rider, Chewy Aitken, at full speed.

Local Scott Link railing it.

Here are photos of all 3 days of the event by Six 3 Events.

Mountain Bike Company sets up shop in Kernville

High-end mountain bike manufacturer, Bionicon Bicycles, has made Kernville its new USA headquaters.
Bionicon specializes in backcountry mountain bikes, such as this one in this month's Bike Magazine issue.

They are in the process of moving, but will be located at 21 Sierra Drive, behind Archie's Hardware in Kernville. (Here) They will feature a Demo Center for Bionicon bikes and a dedicated bike & repair shop.

Bionicon is the major sponsor of the Keyesville Classic, in the Kern River Valley, and sponsors athletes such as Chewy Aitken. (Check him out railing the Keyesville Downhill Race last year (He finished 2nd place in Pro DH riding Bionicon:)

Forbes Mag Names Kernville Top-10 Best Town

Kernville is one of the top 10 best whitewater towns in America according to Forbes Magazinne's article, U.S. Whitewater Spots Worth A Visit by Monte Burke.

Fender Bender Rapid on "The Thunder Run"

Here's what they say:
"We've assembled a crack team of whitewater experts to help us pick out the 10 best whitewater towns in America. The list spans the country, from the southeast to the Pacific Northwest--and includes urban spots as well as country outposts...

We caught up with Jacobi in the town of Kernville, Calif., where he was hosting his annual whitewater skills camp. Jacobi had high praise for both the sheer length of the whitewater on the nearby Kern River--more than 100 miles--and its variety, from Class I (the easiest rapids) to Class V (the most difficult and dangerous in size and speed). He says the Kern River Brewing Company, owned by two kayakers, is a mandatory post-paddle stop. "

Read the full article here.

Spring on the Kern River

Kernville Home on Fire!

Just a little reminder to backup all your files and keep your yards clear of brush. This home went up in flames in the middle of winter.



Luckily no one was hurt, and the fire was contained.
Here's a video of the fire: