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.

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

Making the Most of Your Visit to the Kern River Valley

A whitewater rafting trip on the Upper, Lower, or Forks of the Kern is certainly the highlight of a visit to the Kern River Valley however, many times our guest ask us what they can do to extend their visit beyond a day or two on the water. Our office staff are all experts at helping our guests plan their summer vacations and they have plenty of suggestions for activities to augment your visit to the Kern River. Here are a some great suggestions to add a day or two to your visit:

1. A day hike to a grove of Giant Sequoia trees in the high country about an hour away from Kernville.

2. Spend a day learning the art of fly fishing with Guy Jeans of Kern River Fly Fishing Guide Service. Guy is an expert fly fisherman and knows exactly where the hungry trout lie.

3. Check out the activities available on Lake Isabella. Jet skis, pontoon boats, fishing and water skiing boats and kayaks are available at the North Fork Marina. Give Deb a call at

1-760-376-1812 for more information.

4. Spend a leisurely day or afternoon playing a round of golf at the Kern River Golf Course. It’s a great nine hole course nestled in the middle of the scenic Kern River Canyon. You can’t beat the views. and the course is beautifully maintained.

5. Check out the haunted Silver City Ghost Town. It’s packed with historic buildings and has a few “certified” ghosts reported to be lurking in the woodwork.

6. The Kern River Brewing Company (KRBC). Admittedly, you probably won’t be spending an entire day at the KRBC, however Eric, Rebecca, and Kyle have perfected the art of brewing some of the tastiest craft beers (and root beer) ever to grace your taste buds. It’s a great place to relax after a day running the rapids, a hike, or a playing a round of golf.

Our office staff has plenty of other great ideas to help make your visit to the Kern River a fun and memorable experience. Feel free to give them a call at 1-800-323-4234 for more information.

A Celebration of Whitewater and Fireworks on the Kern River

Kern River Outfitters is offering several tempting opportunities for friends and families to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend this year. There is still some availability for rafting trips on the Upper and Lower Kern and they have just opened two half day trips on the Lower Kern for Saturday, July 2^nd and Monday July 4^th. Keith Stephens, general manager for Kern River Outfitters states, “The Fourth of July weekend is one of the most popular rafting weekends of the year. The Upper and Lower Kern rivers are still providing fabulous flows for river trips and the local community puts on an exciting fireworks show over Lake Isabella the evening of July 2^nd. We have been recommending several options for our guests that would like to go rafting and still have some time to take in the fireworks show. One is a two day Lower Kern trip departing Friday, July 1^st, a couple others are a one day trip on the Upper or a half day on either the Upper or Lower on Saturday the 2^nd. Any of these options allow our guests to have a great day on the water and still take in the fireworks display over the lake. Guests oftentimes like to add in a round of golf at our local course or a hike to the Giant Sequoia trees to the vacation mix. Our office has a host of great ideas to get folks on the water as well as enjoy all the Kern River Valley has to offer holiday visitors. ”

Kern River Outfitters runs one day, Class IV and Class V trips on the Upper Kern, and two day trips on the Lower Kern. These trips are favorites of groups of family and friends. Three day, Class V trips on the Forks of the Kern are also available for those looking for a world class backcountry river trip. For those looking for shorter experience, they also offer half day and two hour trips.

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 these trips or ideas to enjoy the Kern Valley this Fourth of July, visit www.KernRafting or give their office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

Common Questions Answered about the three Stretches of the Kern River

Guests often ask us what the difference is between the Lower, Upper, and Forks of the Kern prior to making their reservation so we thought it might be nice to give a quick review of each of these fine stretches of river for you.

The Lower Kern is our premier two day overnight river trip. Guests on this trip are treated to more than ten Class 4 rapids and numerous Class 3 stretches over the course of the twenty mile run. Our private campsite, situated about ten miles into the trip, is a large riverside expanse complete with redwood sleeping decks, thick sleeping pads, and a gourmet kitchen where guides prepare some of the best meals you’ll ever eat. It’s the perfect place for groups of families and friends to relax and tell tall tales of the day’s adventure and anticipate the next day’s run. The Lower Kern is uniquely blessed with warm water in the summer and is one of California’s most sought after overnight river trips. The Lower will run through mid-September this year. The minimum age is 9 (12 during high water).

The Upper Kern is an outstanding one day river trip. This stretch of river offers guests unparalleled access to practically limitless Class 4 whitewater. For those looking for an even greater challenge, the Upper has a Class 5 stretch we call “Thunder Run”. The Thunder Run boasts challenging rapids the likes of “Sock ‘em Dog”, “Fender Bender”, “Squashed Paddler” and “The Flume” that are sure to quench the thirst of the most passionate whitewater boater. The Upper is even blessed with a two hour, Class 2 and 3 stretch we call the “Double Lickety Split”. One could not find a more diverse and popular stretch of river anywhere in the country. We expect to run the Upper Kern through mid-August this year. The minimum age on the Upper is 9 (12 during high water) and 16 on the Thunder Run. The Double Lickety Split’s minimum age is 5 (9 during high water).

The Forks of the Kern is a world-class, 20 mile stretch of Class 5 water that offers our guests access to some of the most challenging whitewater in the country. This trip begins in the Golden Trout Wilderness and runs through the designated “Wild and Scenic” stretch of the Kern River. We know of no more scenic, challenging, or rewarding river trip anywhere. Forks trips are usually three days in duration, however some starts are two day trips. We expect to run Forks trips through mid-August this year. The minimum age for the Forks of the Kern is 16.

If you have any questions about any of these trips, feel free to give our office a call at 1-800-323 4234.

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.

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.

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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Sunshine and Fun on the Lower Kern River

The Lower Kern is still running at a great level. Pictured above is a group of happy rafters celebrating after running Hari Kari Rapid on the Lower. With water temperatures close to 70 degrees and beautiful, sunny days, August could be the best time of the year to enjoy either a one or two day Lower Kern trip. There is still some space available for this upcoming Saturday (8/21) departure. If you'd like more information on one of these trips, feel free to give our office a call at 1-800-323-4234. We are here to help and happy to assist you plan your visit to the Kern River Valley this year.

Powerful Possum Rapid, Lower Kern

Don't miss out on the fun. There is still time to plan the rafting trip of a lifetime. 1-800-323-4234

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.

Half-Day Lower Kern Trips (Class II-III)

One of our lesser-known trips is the Half-Day Lower Kern. This trip is great for those who are looking for a pleasant mix of the Lower Kern's stunningly beautiful river canyon as well as mellower whitewater than some of our other full-day and half-day trips. The whitewater on the Half-Day Lower Kern trip is class II and III, which means it is perfect for inexperienced paddlers or those who simply want a relaxing float.

The Half-Day Lower Kern meets at 1:00 p.m. at our rafting center. Trips typically get off the water around 5:00 and are back at our base by 5:30. In total, we raft about 6 miles and run dozens of class II and a handful of class III rapids.

In 2010 we are offering Half-Day Lower Kern trips on the following dates: July 4th, July 31st, August 1st, August 7th, and August 8th. If you would like to join us on this wonderful stretch of river, give us a ring at 1-800-323-4234. Click here to download the Half-Day Lower Kern trip notes.

Lower Kern Rafting in Full Swing

Our most popular rafting trip, the two-day Lower Kern, is now in full swing for the summer. With temperatures in the mid-90s and flows holding at an excellent 2000 cubic feet per second, the Lower Kern is the obvious choice for a multi-day rafting trip in California.

The Lower Kern is well known for fun and exciting rapids, warm water, and a beautiful river canyon. Our camp is located exactly half way through the run, about 10 miles downstream of the put-in, and is a comfortable place to call "home" for the night.

Give us a ring to book your Lower Kern rafting trip at 1-800-323-4234. You can also learn more about the Lower Kern by clicking here.

Dwight and Ernie

These unassuming hombres are the cornerstones of our transportation division here at Kern River Outfitters. Pictured here waiting for their guests to get suited up for their trips this morning, Dwight and Ernie (and Bob and Mike who are not in the photo) are responsible for safely transporting our guests, guides, and equipment to and from the river each and every day during the spring and summer months. They are not only great drivers, they're great guys too. We all feel lucky to have these fellas on board. Join us on the Upper, Lower, or Forks of the Kern this year and you'll get the added bonus of meeting these guys as well as the rest of our talented staff here at Kern River Outfitters.

Thirteenth Annual Whiskey Flat Trail Run

The annual Whiskey Flat Trail Run was completed this past Saturday. Kern River Outfitters' guide Darby Verven started a non-profit agency called Run For A Way that has organized this run for the past thirteen years. Darby, a veteran of two IronMan Triathlons, is a retired Kern County Special Education teacher and currently is a full time Kern River Outfitters guide with over 28 years running the Kern. He started this agency with the goal of promoting "health, wellness, and fitness" for everyone in the Kern Valley. Proceeds from this race have helped to provide a swim program for kids based at the swimming pool at the South Fork Middle School, a BMX bike track in the Kern Valley, and funds to help the South Fork Middle School's track team compete in off-site competitions, among other noble efforts. It has also provided funds to members of the local community who have needed help raising funds to fight challenging illnesses.

The race has 5k and 10k events as well as a "Kids" run. The youngest participant this year was Ella Mauer who ran the race with her mom Kristina and friend Emma in tow. There is also a team award for the fastest four person team entry. This year, a group of Forest Service fire fighters won the rotating team trophy. They are entitled to host the trophy for one year as well as receive four "growlers" filled with the fine beers from the Kern River Brewery. Congratulations to these fine, fast, fire fightin' fellas.

Kern River Outfitters is proud to be a sponsor of this race and looks forward to many more years of helping with this excellent event.

Here are a few photos of Saturday's competition:

Darby Pointing the Way

Pre-Race Briefing

Stretching Out Prior to the Run

Ella Mauer. . .the Youngest Competitor this Year

A Few Gals in the Home Stretch

The 2010 "Team Trophy"Winners

Lower Kern River is Roaring

Update: Lower Kern River reaches 2,000 Cubic Feet per Second.

If you haven't already heard, the Lower Kern River is roaring at an unseasonably high 2,000 Cubic Feet per Second. There has never been a better time to see the Lower Kern River. We have space available on this weekends trip ~ what better way to celebrate Mother's Day than spending two days creating unforgettable memories?

Give us a ring today to book your two-day Lower Kern rafting trip at 1-800-323-4234.

Cinco de Mayo on the Lower Kern River

Join us May 5th on the Lower Kern River for our first ever "Cinco de Mayo on the River" trip. Fantastic whitewater and tasty food are what makes the Lower Kern the place to be for this years party. Our camp is in and we're waiting for the first group: give us a ring at 1-800-323-4234 today and we'll plan the fiesta for you.

Cinco de Mayo on the River

Meeting Location: Kern River Outfitters' Rafting Center
Meet Time: 9:30 AM on May 5th
Return Time: Between 4:00 and 5:00 PM on May 6th
River Miles: 10 the first day, 10 the second day, total of 20
Difficulty: Class III and IV
Price: $348 adults / $313.20 youth

Two days rafting on the Lower Kern River

Next available two-day Lower Kern weekend trip date: May 8th and 9th. Call us at 1-800-323-4234 to book this trip.

The Lower Kern River, California's best two-day rafting trip, is open for business starting this weekend. 20 miles of rafting nirvana is a hard thing to waste, but with great flows having held steady for the past two weeks it seems that has been the case. Well, up until now. Our camp is up and running and we are now offering trips on the famous Lower Kern.

And, it looks like we're the only ones doing it. Outfitters are used to opening the Lower Kern starting in late May or early June. Not this year. We've been watching the gauge and it appears that the early-season water is here to stay. So if you want something really different, join us on the Lower Kern River in May.

Not sure camping is for you? Our campground is private and luxurious. We give our customers thick sleeping pads and provide you with sleeping decks. Camping has never been more comfortable. Still not sure? Check out our camp photos on Flickr.

The Nitty-Gritty of our two-day Lower Kern trips:

Sunday to Thursday launches: $348 adult / $313.20 youth
Friday Launches: $378 adult / $340.20 youth
Saturday launches: $408 adult and youth

Meeting time is 9:30 AM at our rafting center the day of the launch. Click here for the trip details PDF. We provide all meals starting with lunch the first day and ending with lunch the second day. Our bus will take you from our rafting center to the river and from the take-out back to the rafting center. Parking at our rafting center is free.

For additional information, visit our Lower Kern rafting page.

Next available two-day Lower Kern weekend trip date: May 8th and 9th. Call us at 1-800-323-4234 to book this trip.

Lower Kern River reaches milestone levels - highest since 1998.

Releases from Lake Isabella went up and over 1,000 cubic feet per second yesterday - earlier than the milestone has been reached in the past decade.

The Lower Kern River, fed by releases out of Lake Isabella, reached flows of over 1,000 cubic feet per second yesterday morning. Yesterday’s abnormally high release for this time of year capped-off a two-week span in which the outflow of Lake Isabella has increased daily. It also marked the first time in 12 years that the Lower Kern has reached the milestone this early in the year.

Cubic feet per second (CFS) is a common way of measuring water volume in a river. It refers to the amount of water flowing past any particular river point for every second. The Lower Kern River is considered "runnable" in a raft at flows above 500 CFS.

Whitewater rafting outfitters rely on the outflow from Lake Isabella for their Lower Kern rafting trips. “It pretty much dictates our season,” said Keith “Luther” Stephens, general manager for Kern River Outfitters. For the Lower Kern to see releases in excess of 1,000 CFS this early in the season indicates a very good rafting season ahead. “We’ve pushed our opening day trip nearly three weeks ahead of when it launched last year,” noted Stephens – “and with the snow pack we have, the season should go into September.”

Kern River Outfitters has been rafting on the Kern River since 1980. With a staff of over 50 professional river guides and support personnel, the company and its affiliate, Idaho & Oregon River Journeys, run one- to six-day river trips in California, Oregon and Idaho. For more information, visit http://www.KernRafting.com or call 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.