Kern, S. Fork

2) Kennedy Meadows to Long Valley

Reach banner
DifficultyIII-V+
Length16.3 mi
Avg Gradient65 fpm
GaugeSf Kern R Nr Onyx Ca
Flow Rate as of 1 hour
109 cfsrunnable
Reach Info Last UpdatedOctober 29, 2004

River Description

This is described by Rocky Contos in
Preston's Kayak Page.

A 22-mile run with three characters: Some easy stuff, then a three-mile III-IV gorge, then five miles of easy-floatin' through Rockhouse Basin, then a couple of miles of warmup before six miles of the Steep Stuff.

Lat/long coords at the putin and takeout are approximate, from TopoZone.


River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Take Out

Distance: 22 mi
Take Out

RB
Ratt Boy

Jan 1, 1900


The Rockhouse Basin stretch is an easy class-I part of the river with good views of the surrounding mountains at many spots.

RB
Ratt Boy

Jan 1, 1900


Though a lot of water is visible, actually there is only about 20-30 cfs (estimate) flowing.
An easy class II+ slot required scouting as there was no way to see what lay below. Huge boulders filled the riverbed in many areas of the run, obstructing downstream views.
Rocky running a class V somewhere. (I don't remember exactly where this was, but the event wasn't that bad, because it simply isn't that memorable.)