Monday, May 23, 2011

Rafting Vacations Close to Home

A Great Rafting Vacation is More Affordable and Closer Than You Think

Skyrocketing fuel and lodging costs have all but eliminated expensive vacation plans that require travel and overnight stays for many people. Kern River Outfitters offers unique and affordable vacation opportunities for people looking to spend quality time with their friends and families this summer.

For those living in Southern California, whitewater rafting on the Kern River is a brilliant get away that makes sense from an aesthetic and a financial perspective. The Kern River is a veritable whitewater playground and is only a three hour drive from the Los Angeles basin. It is the furthest south of any Sierra Nevada river and offers Southern California residents world class whitewater practically in their own back yard.

Kern River Outfitters’ most popular rafting trip, a two day Lower Kern run, offers twenty miles of fabulous whitewater and a private camp loaded with luxuries including redwood decks, thick sleeping pads, and gourmet meals.

Keith Stephens, general manager of Kern River Outfitters mentions, “Folks looking to take families or groups of friends on a summer vacation just can’t beat the Lower Kern. For one price, guests can take advantage of two days of great whitewater, four wonderful meals, and an overnight stay in one of the most beautiful settings in California. The savings in travel and lodging costs alone make this an attractive vacation opportunity. When you add in your personal guide, gear, great food, and private riverside campsite, this overnight trip on the Lower is an irresistible vacation alternative to expensive summer outings.” He adds, “Our office staff takes the trouble out of planning and can help provide all kinds of options for those looking to combine their rafting trip with other activities including hiking, fishing, lake sports, mounting biking and even golf right here in the Kern Valley.”

Kern River Outfitters has been at the forefront running trips on the Kern River in Southern California for over 30 years. They specialize in running all sections of the Kern River including the Upper, Lower, and Forks of the Kern. They offer trips from a two hour Class II and III run to three day Class V runs. Their most popular trip is the Two Day Lower Kern trip.

With more than 40 professional river guides on staff and over 35 years in the business, Kern River Outfitters is one of the most experienced and popular rafting companies offering trips on the Kern River. For more details on any of the trips they offer, visit www.KernRafting or give their office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

For more information on Kern river trips visit http://www.KernRafting.com or call 1-800-323-4234.

Friday, May 20, 2011

2011 Guest Rewards Card

This year the rafting season is not only going to provide the best water to raft on since 1998, it’s also going to have one of the longest durations as well. The Upper and Forks of the Kern will run well into August and the Lower Kern, already flowing at a fabulous level, will run well into September. Rare seasons like this offer our guests plenty of time to see more than one stretch of the river over the course of the summer and we’d like to help you do just that. As such, we are issuing all of our guests a 2011 Guest Rewards Card at the completion of their trip. This card entitles you a $25 credit towards your next trip this season. This is a small way for us to say “Thanks” for joining us and offer an enticement to see one of the other spectacular sections of the Kern all in one year.

Monday, May 16, 2011

How to Choose a River Outfitter

A rafting vacation is a popular way for families and groups of friends to enjoy the thrill of whitewater and the serenity of the great outdoors. But how do you choose the most competent outfitter? Keith Stephens, general manager of Kern River Outfitters, suggests you ask a few simple questions. “Experience and track record are paramount when one looks for a professional outfit. Outfitters who are able to attract and hold top quality guides are in the position to offer their guests the best experience on the river.” Stephens advises to inquire as to how much experience a company’s guide staff offers. When shopping for an outfitter, here are a few a few key questions to ask:

1. Do they have a loyal customer base that returns year after year?
2. How long have they been outfitting on the stretch of river you’re intending to run?
3. Are they held in high regard by the federal agencies overseeing their permit?
4. Is their guide staff competent and family friendly?

Answers to these simple questions can shed light on the sometimes foggy process of choosing the right outfit for your group.

River trips can range from hour long jaunts to multi day adventures and rapids from easy Class II and III to more moderate Class IV and high adventure Class V outings. “An excellent rafting outfitter should have a depth of guide staff that can negotiate all of these levels of rapid difficulty with confidence,” Stephens adds. Guide personality is also a key factor in a successful, fun rafting trip. Ask your prospective outfitter the average age and make up of their guide staff. An excellent outfitter will have a good variety of men and women guides who not only specialize in technical skills on the water, but are also interesting, engaging hosts.

Kern River Outfitters has been at the forefront running trips on the Kern River in Southern California for over 30 years. They specialize in running all sections of the Kern River including the Upper, Lower, and Forks of the Kern. They offer trips from a two hour Class II and III run to three day Class V runs. Their most popular trip is the Two Day Lower Kern trip.


With more than 40 professional river guides on staff and over 35 years in the business, Kern River Outfitters is one of the most experienced and popular rafting companies offering trips on the Kern River. For more details on any of the trips they offer, visit www.KernRafting or give their office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Lower Kern River Exceeds 4,000cfs for the First Time Since Spring of 2006

Today, the Lower Kern was bumped up to over 4,000cfs for the first time since the Spring of 2006. Pictured above is a photo of the origin of the mighty Lower Kern: the outflow from the Isabella Main Dam. When flows over 4,000cfs are released, a spectacular arc of water fires from the dam and rushes headlong down the canyon. As the water increases, so does this spectacular jet of water. This is going to be one heck of a long, fun summer rafting on the Lower Kern. Get ready for some good times on the Lower, Upper and Forks of the Kern during this spectacular summer of whitewater. Call 1-800-323-4234 for more information or to make reservations for your trip.

Monday, May 9, 2011

2011 Rafting Season Unfurled

The Kern River Outfitters Flag was raised today to signify the opening of the 2011 rafting season. We've been running trips for over two weeks, however, today it seemed appropriated to raise the flag in honor of what promises to be an outstanding year on the Kern River. The flag will great us every morning as we make preparations to run the day's trips. We'll keep it up until the last trip runs sometime in mid to late September this year. If you have a hankering to run the Upper, Lower, or Forks of the Kern this year, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-323-4234 for more information. Don't miss out on one of the most best years the Kern River has recorded in recent memory.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Great 2011 Lower Camp Wash Out

The storms of 2011 have deposited one of the best snow packs in recent memory, but they left a bit of carnage in their wake. Pictured above is a wash out at our Lower Kern camp. Guide Gary "Firestarter" Thornbrugh gives a little scale to the ditch the torrent of water carved. Word has it that the road leading to the Forks of the Kern also suffered the same fate and won't be open until the first week of June, at best. Good news though: our camp road is being repaired as we type this. This little memory of the winter storms' fury will soon be smoothed over. It is now time to play on the melting snow for the next four or five months. Get ready to have some serious fun.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Rafting Center Grand Opening: June 1st 2011

WOFFORD HEIGHTS, CALIF. – May 2, 2011Kern River Outfitters in conjunction with the Kernville and Kern Valley Chamber of commerce has announced June 1st as the grand opening of their newly re-modeled Rafting Center in Wofford Heights. Painstaking effort and attention to detail in design makes this building the perfect fit for guests joining them for rafting trips this summer. A hospitality center offers guests coffee, tea, or hot chocolate upon arrival and a spacious retail area allows for ease of browsing for those looking for incidentals and souvenirs. New changing rooms offer guests a convenient place to change into their river gear and a custom designed “Photo Bar” has been installed to allow guests to comfortably view pictures of their rafting trip upon their return.

Landscape architect David Prior with Grow Tech landscaping mentions, “People have relayed the building is now the most attractive in Wofford Heights. The Eldarica Pine trees surrounded by numerous manzanita, juniper, Texas Sage, penstemons and a host of other native plants in conjunction with an attractive boulder arrangement gives the exterior of the building a handsome look that compliments the whitewater theme to a tee.” Keith Stephens, general manager of Kern River Outfitters concurs, “The building looks fabulous. We are all excited to greet our guests at this wonderful facility. It has taken a while to come together, but it was worth the wait. The building projects the quality and professionalism that has been our hallmark for over 30 years.”

The grand opening will run from 6:30–8:30p.m. and will feature a tour of the premises, door prizes, and refreshments for all who attend. If you are able to make the function, please RSVP Jim Ritter at 1-866-213-7754.

With more than 40 professional river guides on staff and over 35 years in the business, Kern River Outfitters is one of the most experienced and popular rafting companies offering trips on the Kern River. For more details on this grand opening or any of the trips they offer, visit www.KernRafting or give their office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

###