Kern

5) Miracle to Democrat Hot Springs(Miracle Run)

Reach banner
DifficultyIII-V
Length11.2 mi
Avg Gradientn/a
PermitPermits are required (they are free though) and can be picked up at the Kern Ranger Station located in Kernville.
Reach Info Last UpdatedJuly 2, 2023

Projects

Kern River (CA)

Table of Contents Kern River #3 Hydropower Project, P-2290 Borel Hydropower Project, P-382 Kern River #1 Hydropower Project, P-1930 Kern Canyon Hydropower Project, P-178 Wild and Scenic River Management American Whitewater’s work on the Kern River has included engagement in the management of the Kern Wild and Scenic River [...]Read More


River Description

This scenic section of the Kern is especially popular because it has dependable flows through the summer months.

Steep and exciting class 3 to 4 drops spread evenly over the run with long sections of slow scenic floating.  The clean granite cliffs along much of the reach are beautiful and impressive.  There are also several hot springs along the run, but most are on private property.

Permits are required for each boat that goes down  the river.  Permits must be picked up in person at the ranger station. Rangers usually monitor the put in.

Put in: Miracle Hot Springs area offers plenty of day use parking. A ranger will check your permits and give advice.   Google Map.

Take out:  A paved road leads from the main highway down to the Democrat Take out.  There are signs at the turn off.  There is a parking area for private boaters on the right. There are toilets but no potable water at the take out.  There are a few picnic tables over looking the river.  The take out ramp is shared by commercial outfitters, and private boaters. Vehicles can park near the ramp for loading only. Buses need to turn around so leave plenty of space for everybody.  Google Map.

Other Information Sources:

Camping

Wikipedia

Kern River Alliance

Kern Valley River Council
Audubon, Kern River Preserve
Wild and
...

River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Take Out

Distance: 11 mi
Take Out

JP
John Pierson

Jan 19, 2021


A group of us ran this stretch at low water in January - around 200cfs or so.

Should be strongly noted that at these low water levels, there is a strong sieve right below the crux move on White Maiden - we had someone who could pulled into an underwater room and thankfully flushed out quickly but things go could much differently for others. Pushes consequence of the rapid at low water above its rating.

Paul Martzen
Paul Martzen

Jul 29, 2006


The steady summer long irrigation releases from Isabella reservoir encourage trees and brush to grow thick at the rivers edge.
There are number of big holes and breaking waves in this rapid, but there is an easy straight line just right of center.
Jerry Sickler guides his raft crew between the holes.

middle line-camera angle 'might' be making this
look a 'little' steeper than it actually is-not sure.

I missed the center of the rapid b/c of the big
boulder I stood behind. This is the 'classic'
line straight down the middle between the 2
'goalposts'