Please visit the new Kern River Outfitters' blog by clicking here.

Please visit the new Kern River Outfitters' blog by clicking here.

The 2012 Season Is On It's Way

The 2012 rafting season is just around the corner and it promises to be yet another outstanding year here on the Kern River. Our Whitewater School launches on April 14th and we expect to be running Forks and Upper Kern trips from April 28th through June 17th. The Lower Kern will kick in on Memorial Day weekend and is expected to run through August 19th, however the season on the Lower could be extended if releases from the Isabella Reservoir allow. Keep these booking windows in mind when planning your trip to take advantage of the best water levels the Kern River has to offer this year. If you have any questions about our trips or would like to check on availability, give our office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

Thanks for an Outstanding 2011 Rafting Season

The 2011 rafting season here on the Kern River has officially come to a close, however we wanted to take a moment to give a big "THANKS" to all of our valued customers who joined us on the river this year. It was a season that provided enough adventures and smiles to last a lifetime and we couldn't have done it without all of you.

The past couple of days, an early arctic storm has pounded the Sierra Nevada and with it, the promise of yet another fabulous year of rafting in 2012. Keep your collective fingers crossed for more "Bigwater" and thanks again to everyone for making it all possible.

"Premium" Lower Kern Trips to Round Out the 2011 Season

The Lower Kern is STILL flowing at outstanding levels. We expect to run Two Day trips through September 11th. After that, we will be running our Lower Kern One Day "Premium" trips exclusively through Sunday, September 18th. Take advantage of this epic water flow and fabulous one day trip on the Lower this month. Feel free to call our office at 1-800-323-4234 for more details.

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.

Outstanding Rafting Conditions on the Lower Kern are Expected through August

Rafting conditions are expected to be outstanding for those looking to run Lower Kern two day trips through the month of August and even into September this year. The abundant snow pack placed in the Southern Sierra Nevada this past winter is providing a seemingly endless runoff this summer and the water flows on the Lower are expected to be in the range of 2000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through August. Keith Stephens, general manager of Kern River Outfitters mentions, “We could not have ordered more ideal water flow conditions for our guests this year. The Lower Kern is currently running at 2175cfs and the Upper is still presenting levels close to 2000cfs. We’re projecting to run our Lower Kern two day trips through September 13th this year with August being the prime time in terms of great water conditions. The Upper Kern should provide really fun flows through the middle of August which is almost unheard of most years. We are thrilled to be able to offer high quality rafting trips throughout this time frame and have Mother Nature to thank for the opportunity.” Feel free to give our reservations office a call for up-to-date water flow conditions and trip availability. 1-800-323-4234

Rapid Profile: Horseshoe Falls, Lower Kern River

Horseshoe Falls is one of our favorite rapids on the Lower Kern. It is the third of five Class IV rapids on the second day of the trip. Horseshoe commences with a quick right hand turn at the top and feeds into a long straight- a-way that leads to its most well know feature: Horseshoe Hole, a large hydraulic that wages a ton of fun to folks who venture through its frothy mass. After running through or around this feature, paddlers will find a quick left hand turn that places them into a calm pool where they can rest for a while, tell tall tales of the rapid just run, or maybe venture up to “Horseshoe Jumping Rock” and take an exhilarating leap of faith from the 15 foot perch back to the calm water below. Whatever route you take, this rapid and the relaxing respite below it will leave you with a permanent ear to ear grin.