Brush Creek, CA

Brush Creek Overview

Brush Creek Overview
Photo by Daniel Lundberg taken 4/18/2005 @ ?

Gauge Information

River Description

Brush Creek is a very popular steep creek because it has it has easy access to really fun drops and waterfalls.  Brush is pretty  easy at moderate flows and it can be run down to very low flows and still be fun.   Brush Creek is usually boatable in late winter, through spring and some years into early summer.  It can also be good after winter rain storms.

Getting There:   Brush Creek enters Kern River about 19 miles north of Kernville.   It is only about 1/2 mile downstream of the Johnsondale Bridge.  It is about 70 miles and a 1.5 hour drive from Bakersfield.   From the north it is probably quickest to exit highway 99 at Earlimart to travel through Ducor, California Hot Springs and Johnsondale to reach the Kern River.  Because of the windy roads it will take nearly 2 hours from Earlimart.    You can also take highway 99 to Delano, then take highway 155 through Glenville, Wofford Heights, and Kernville, but this is considered the slowest route into the Kern Valley.

Take out: There is a big parking lot at the confluence of Brush Creek with the Kern River. topozone map, google map. It is easiest to take out just after the bridge.

Put in: From the take out, go north on the main road a very short distance then turn right up Sherman Pass road.   Drive about a mile and a half, to a large area designated as a helicopter landing pad. There is a plenty of parking off to the sides. Hike upstream along a dirt road till you see a heavily used trail leading down to the creek. The walk is about 1/4 - 1/2 mile to the creek (careful in the winter, there are some steep spots and it can get very slippery if muddy).

Other information sources:
SierraSouth.com.   Sells paddling gear and has the latest news.
oregonkayaking.net/creeks/brush/brush.html   Trip report and photos from 2005
http://www.awetstate.com/BrushCreek.html  Photos and rapid descriptions at below 1 on visual guage

http://www.kimandgeoff.com/kayak/brushcreek032605/index.html  Photos
http://www.kimandgeoff.com/kayak/brushcreek061006/index.html  Photos

2007 Brush Creek Race youtube video 

2005 High Water kayaking  youtube video  

2005 Rafting - Video  Two R-2 teams paddle Brush Creek at high water, June 2, 2005. (5.5 on the visual gauge).

boof.com
Upper Brush Creek story
Upper Brush-CaliProductVideo

Kern River Festival
Kern River Alliance
Kern Valley River Council