Lower Kern "Premium" One Day Rafting Trips: August 20th and 21st

August 20th 21st, we are offering two "Premium" One Day Lower Kern rafting trips. These trips will run ALL TEN of the Class IV rapids on the Lower in one day and they are priced at the same level as an Upper Kern One Day trip. We can only offer three of these trips per season and the first one is already sold out. This is the best one day trip on the river and it's our way of saying "Thanks" to all of our valued customers this year. If you can make it, give our office a call at 1-800-323-4234. You won't find a better bargain on the Kern this season. See you on the river.

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.

Rafting Center Grand Opening: June 1st 2011

WOFFORD HEIGHTS, CALIF. – May 2, 2011 – Kern River Outfitters in conjunction with the Kernville and Kern Valley Chamber of commerce has announced June 1^st 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.

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Perseid Meteor Shower Offers Stunning Show for Lower Kern Overnight Guests

Guests on our Lower Kern overnight trips will be treated to a spectacular show when gazing at the stars overhead over the next couple of weeks. The Perseid Meteor Showers will be at their peak this evening and will offer stargazers a brilliant light show all through the night. The shooting stars are expected to light up the night sky once or twice a minute throughout the evening.

Although the peak is expected this evening, above average shooting star activity can be expected throughout the month of August. If you can't make it up to the river where the conditions are ideal, take a moment to step out tonight wherever you are and see if you can catch a glimpse of this event.

Better yet, join us for a Two Day trip on the Lower Kern this month and accent an outstanding river trip with one of Mother Natures most spectacular night sky shows.

For more information, give our office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

After The Storm

The recent spate of storms have left us wondering where spring went, but we can't help but be excited about the still growing snow pack. At over 109% of normal, we are looking forward to a long, fun Upper, Forks, and Lower Kern season ahead of us. Yesterday, the Kern River Valley was hammered by yet another big winter storm, but this morning, the glory of the Spring of 2010 was evident everywhere. An epic season is in the wings.

The Resurrection of the Rafting Center

Those of you who rafted with us the afternoon of July 23rd, 2009 might remember this harrowing site. While all of you were out playing on the river, the Rafting Center was experiencing it's own little adventure via a motorhome, a vehicle in tow, and a set of defective brakes. Although causing quite an obstacle to overcome for the balance of the 2009 season, the good news is that no one was injured and it provided an undeniable motivation to remodel the building for the upcoming rafting season. Plans are being finalized as we type for a new and improved Kern Rafting Center to accompany the big water we expect this summer.


Stay tuned for details of our new and improved Rafting Center. With the promise of a bountiful snow pack, the 2010 season is sure to be one of the best years for running the Kern River with Kern River Outfitters, Southern California rafting at it's finest.

The 2010 Snow Pack is Building

The high country in the Southern Sierra took a pounding last week as three moisture laden storms slammed into the areas comprising the Kern River snow pack. These photos were provide by Dwight and Trudy Pascoe. In the summertime, Dwight is one of our key drivers. In the winter, he drives a snowplow keeping the roads passable around the Kern Valley. His work has been cut out for him this winter and we expect he'll be busy moving snow until the spring.

These past storms and the systems promised to come this winter should make for yet another stellar season rafting the Kern River. We are all hunkered down and waiting for a spring run off that will again prove that Kern River rafting is the best part of a summer vacation.

We will keep you posted as the storms roll in.

Until then, stay warm and keep your paddles crossed for summer fun in 2010.

Fall on the Kern River

After a long season, even the Kern River requires a rest from the annual whitewater run off that allows us to play all spring and summer. The river mellows, the cottonwoods, alders, and willows all swap their green foliage for bright colors and eventually relinquish their leaves altogether in preparation for a long winter nap. A brief time of reflection and regeneration in preparation for the Spring of 2010. Kern River rafting is California rafting at it's best. We suppose the river deserves some down time, as do we all. Kern River Outfitters wishes all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving and we look forward to seeing all of you next spring, when the river and Kern River Outfitters, renewed, will again provide the most exciting whitewater action in California.

Return of the Pub and Grub on the Lower Kern River

Most already know that the Kern River offers up some of California's best rafting trips and whitewater, but only recently can the Kern River Valley boast about their beer. The Kern River Brewing Company opened their doors in 2006 and quickly became a favorite after-paddle hangout for guides and customers alike.

The Pub and Grub returns in 2009!

Two years ago we "brewed-up" a grand idea: we took the world-class 2-day rafting trip we offer on the Lower Kern River and paired it up with beer tasting at our private camp along the banks of the river. Of course, the star and feature of this event is the Kern River Brewing Company and their selection of outstanding brews.

Last year's Pub and Grub was an outrageous success!

This week the tradition lives on! We still have space on the first day (our Camp Run trip) that concludes at camp. You can spend the day rafting and the evening and night at our Lower Kern camp tasting beers and enjoying good food.

For additional information on the Pub and Grub, give us a ring at 1-800-323-4234.

Love the idea but can't go on the trip?

You can still experience the magic vicariously (kind of) through our blog. We'll be taking lots of photos and video that will be posted here at the conclusion of the trip. Sure, you won't be able to taste the brews or the food, but we hope to "quench" your interest!

Cheers,
Team KRO

Dwight and Trudy Pascoe

Dwight and Trudy Pascoe are two treasures whose contributions help make Kern River Outfitters one of the best whitewater rafting outfits in the business.

Dwight is a genuine Kern River native. He was born in Bakersfield (by the way, yesterday just happens to be Dwights birthday) and raised in the Kern River Valley. He spent a good portion of his formative years on a cattle ranch in the South Fork country.

He attended high school in Bakersfield. In those days, the bus ride to high school was a little more complicated that it is today. In fact, he would leave Sunday evening and return Friday evening, spending the entire school week in Bakersfield. When he wasn't in school, he was busy fishing, hiking, riding horses and punching cattle all throughout the Southern Sierra Nevada and Owens Valley. In the midst of all of this, Dwight managed to log in 30 years with Cal Trans. He still operates snow plows in the winter keeping the roads open and safe for all of us here in the Kern Valley. Dwight is a fountain of local and regional historical knowledge. Ask him about the days prior to the Isabella Dam or driving cattle to market on horseback and he will gladly dispense all kinds of fun historical tidbits.

Trudy hails from Tulare, California and has operated a number of successful businesses including a busy photography studio. Here at Kern River Outfitters, she manages our Rafting Center making sure our guests arrive with a smile on their face, have a hot cup of coffee in their hands, and questions and last minute concerns addressed. She also looks after the guides offering sage advice when the need arises.

Trudy found Dwight 22 years ago and they've been happily riding the range ever since. We all hope they will be saddling up with Kern River Outfitters for many years to come.

Lower Kern Camp Bliss

Two day Kern River rafting trips are a wonderful bundle of adventure, fun, and great food wrapped up in the plush warmth of our Lower Kern Camp. There is no better place to watch a summer evening unfold and enjoy the warmth of a campfire surrounded by great friends sharing tall tales of the day just experienced rafting the Kern River.

On August 11th and 12th the sky opened up and offered an extra special treat. It just so happened to be the peak of the Perseid Meteor Showers . On any given evening spent alongside the Lower Kern, shooting stars and satellites abound in the heavens but this time of the year the stars can seem to rain from the sky.

Our Lower Kern campsite is designed to provide a truly blissful ending to a magical day and the perfect setting for the anticipation of the next day spent having the time of your life running the warm rapids of the Lower Kern River.

The Flag Flies

This year, we unveiled our flag to signify the opening of the Kern River rafting season. The flag will fly proudly throughout the 2008 season, which this year should be through the weekend of August 23rd. Come join us on the river while the flag and the water are unfurled and running strong this year. The weather is beautiful and the water is simply outstanding!

The Lower Kern is Running for the Summer

The Lower Kern is Up and Running.

One of the most anticipated weekends of the summer starts first thing tomorrow morning. The Watermaster has cranked up the water flow on the Lower Kern. The rafting season on the Kern River really gets underway when the Lower kicks in. Our two day trips on the Lower Kern are the best part of summer for families and groups of friends looking for the finest multi day river trip in California. If you’re looking for warm water, tons of great rapids, and smiles galore, Kern River Rafting on the Lower is the ticket. Give our office a call at 1-800-323-4234 and we will see if we can find an opening for you and your friends.

See you on the River!

Kern Trips featured in LA Family Magazine

Check out the great article by Mark Smith that ran last week in the Los Angeles Family Magazine. Mark joined us last summer on a Lower Kern River trip. His article can be read here.

With recent storms, the Kern River snow pack is improving daily and we're looking forward to another fun season of rafting on the jewel of the Sierra, the Kern River. Visit our website at KernRafting.com for information about all of our trips.

See you on the river.
The Staff at Kern River Outfitters