 
Paul Armes at Lower
Bailmore |
Even late in the season in a low water year there are a number
of options for paddling on the Kern. This range from the creeky and technical
Forks, to practicing eddy turns and ferries on the moving water at the Lake
Ming day use area. All the options are not appropriate for every boater.
The information presented here is not a substitute for
your own good judgement. You'll need to talk to other boaters, and
take into account your skill level, experience and the type of boating you
enjoy. Here are some of the options, arranged roughly from upstream to
downstream: |
- The Forks - Most folks paddling the Forks at low flows
opt for the "Short Forks." Depending on your put-in, this abbreviated version
of the Forks run begins near Durwood Creek or Peppermint Creek. You can also
hike your boat up from the Johnsondale bridge to the rapid at Dry Meadow Creek,
or to Four Mile rapid. At flows of 250-400 cfs the Forks is definitely very
creeky. Steep drops, such at the end of the Gauntlet, are generally taller, and
boulder choked drops such as Little Bean, more rocky. There are some tight
passages through slots, more undercuts are exposed, and there are still some
sticky holes. (Class IV-V)
|
Brett Valle, Joe's Diner |
- Limestone - Except for the Park, this is probably the
most popular low water run on the Upper Kern. At 250-400 cfs there are a number
of fun playspots. Watch out for a hard to see rock in the trough of a wave on
Limestone rapid. As the flow drops, Brush Creek and the "Corner Bakery" of
Betty's Bakery become increasingly congested. At the end of Betty's Bakery
there is a sticky hole on the right. At 180 cfs and up it's rumored to be a
good playspot. Here are some photographs of
playboating on Limestone at around 400 cfs. (Class III)
|
- Ewings and The Park - Too much fun can be had here, at
almost any flow. Locals like Ewing's at 280 cfs and up. Take your playboat and
play; your river-running boat and practice eddy turns, peel outs and ferries;
your slalom boat and work on moves and attainments! (Class II)
|
ForPlay at Ewings,
01/08/00 |
- The Lake - We offer a number of interesting and fun
paddling trips and classes on Lake Isabella. How are
your strokes? If you can't do them well on flatwater, you'll never get them
right in whitewater. What about your roll? Perfecting your off-side roll, back
deck roll or hand roll will increase your confidence on the River.
|
- The Lower - Summertime flows on the Miracle to
Democrat run range from 2500 cfs or more in wet years to 1200 cfs or less in
dry years. There are so many playspots you'll exhaust yourself trying to hit
them all. M to D stays pretty good for kayaks down to around 650-700 cfs. As
the flow goes down certain rapids become more difficult. Typically, at 350-400
cfs, most of the major rapids should be scouted. The final drop on White
Maiden's will try to push you into a congested slot, Sundown Falls has a
serious undercut, Powerful Possum has a hard to see rock in one of the wave troughs,
and the major rapids below the bridge have shallow, congested entrances. Lower
Bailmore (upstream of China Gardens) has a good playspot at 280 cfs and up. At
low water M to D is not a good run for novice or intermediate boaters. (Class
IV)
|
Tracy Vietta at Powerful Possum
Mike Spradlin at Royal
Flush |
- Moving Water & Cottonwood Rapid- It's "just"
moving water, but member's of the US Canoe and Kayak Team have trained here
when doing paddling clinics for the KRA. It is located just upstream of the
Lake Ming Campground and is normally accessed from the Lake Ming picnic and
play area. Watch out for brush, particularly on the river right side. (Class
I+)
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