Kern River Fly Fishing Forum - Hiking WAAAAY up the Kern

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May 23^rd, 2013, 11:23pm

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Hiking WAAAAY up the Kern (Read 940 times)

FredTheFishHead

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Hiking WAAAAY up the Kern
Mar 1^st, 2012, 2:30pm

I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question, but I figure someone on this board will probably know the answer. My name is Fred and I will be hiking the John Muir Trail this summer with my two sons ages 16 and 14. We have always wanted to fly fish the very upper reaches of the Kern River, and thought it would be cool to hike out to the Johnsondale Bridge after summiting Mt. Whitney. But I can't seem to find any information on the trail below the Kern Hot Springs. Is it possible to hike out the way I want to, or is the trail so marginal it isn't possible? We won't be in the area until August, so flow levels should be down. Anyone been up that far?

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Wildman

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Re: Hiking WAAAAY up the Kern
Reply #1 - Mar 1^st, 2012, 4:42pm

Certainly doable but depending on your approach, the trail drops about 3,500 rapidly and dumps you into Soda Flat. Are you through hiking the entire 200+ miles or just a portion? If you are, you'll be adding a transverse crossing of the Sierras to your trip. Some very nice country back there.

Welcome.....you've been member for almost two years.

« Last Edit: Mar 1^st, 2012, 6:13pm by Wildman »

"Life is hard. It's harder if you're stupid." John Wayne

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FredTheFishHead New Member Posts: 2	Re: Hiking WAAAAY up the Kern Reply #2 - Mar 1^st, 2012, 6:18pm Yep....we are doing the entire JMT. A downhill traverse at the end doesn't seem too bad considering we will be in great shape by then. Where is Soda Flat?
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Wildman

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Re: Hiking WAAAAY up the Kern
Reply #3 - Mar 1^st, 2012, 6:56pm

It's where the Kern River Trail will take you out of BlackRock...Casa....Jordan Hot Springs and Nine Mile Creek and is just before the Kern. You might consider getting some maps of the area you plan on traveling and going to. There is an excellent hiking and fishing guide to the Golden Trout Wilderness that's available as well with very specific guidance and good insight. There are several options that you can choose. You'll be adding another week to your trip, I imagine, unless you're ultra light trail runners.

Did the John Muir in it's entirety both ways in the late 50's and early 60's. Still use the Kelty pack we bought at Dick Kelty's house in Glendale. I'll be packing that trail this summer with our pack string.

"Life is hard. It's harder if you're stupid." John Wayne

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Hoppytsw

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Re: Hiking WAAAAY up the Kern
Reply #4 - Mar 2^nd, 2012, 6:53am

Unless you have a lot of spare time and great scrambling skills, you may look at coming down the main river and the west side down lower. Ending at the forks with a possible go around to Kern Flats on the hells hole big falls area. Would be amazing trip, below the forks is pretty ugly pushing especially if the river is higher. And hey after 70 miles of hiking and fishing great water you might have been better to have stayed at a couple great spots a extra day than push on.

If you go post something, huh? We likem pictures of the upper river....

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Wildman

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Re: Hiking WAAAAY up the Kern
Reply #5 - Mar 3^rd, 2012, 4:12pm

Quote from FredTheFishHead on Mar 1^st, 2012, 6:18pm:

Yep....we are doing the entire JMT. A downhill traverse at the end doesn't seem too bad considering we will be in great shape by then. Where is Soda Flat?

I missed this....a downhill traverse that crosses the Sierra Nevada from side to another is quite an undertaking unto itself with some pretty incredible elevation gains and losses....on top of the 200+ miles of the JMT. You guys must have a month off and be in incredible shape!

"Life is hard. It's harder if you're stupid." John Wayne

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