The Kern Valley Hiking Club was started in 1987 by Bill and Ruby Jenkins of Kernville to help people explore the splendor of the Southern Sierras and to promote and assist in trail development and maintenance. The group is nonpolitical and nonaffiliated. Most of the hikes are taken from the books, "Exploring the Southern Sierra", which are updated versions of "Self-propelled in the Southern Sierras", written by their son, Jim Jenkins when he was in his twenties. Jim was killed by an erratic driver in 1979. Ruby took on the job of keeping the information as accurate as possible, hiking the area and making notes until her death in October 2007. Bill still resides in Kernville.

We are asking for volunteers who know the roadhead, trailhead and trail to lead the scheduled hikes. All hikes subject to change, depending on weather, snowpack, etc. It is your responsibility to become aware of any changes by accessing the Yahoo group site, by calling a club member who can do this, or by calling one of the numbers below.

Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kernrivervalleyhikingclub/

For additional questions, contact:

Trips (i.e. T30) are noted in the two guidebooks (by J.C. Jenkins and Ruby Johnson Jenkins): Exploring the Southern Sierra: East Side (ESS: ES) and Exploring the Southern Sierra: West Side (ESS: WS). For example, the first hike is (ESS: WS T30). If you wish, you can purchase each of these books at many locations throughout California: Visitor centers at Forest Service and Park Service, CALM, museums, mountaineer stores, bookstores, internet sellers, etc.

Our semimonthly hikes are usually on Saturdays. You need not complete hikes, but always tell someone that you are turning back. Bring lunch and adequate water. Sandals not recommended.

Children must always stay with their parents or guardians. Dogs must be leashed. Only physically fit people should try the moderate-to-strenuous hikes. Anyone capable of walking for several miles on rough terrain with elevation gain, regardless of pace, is welcome on all our hikes.

Conventional cars can be driven to trailheads unless otherwise noted. Rain, snow, or lack of a trip leader cancels trips
please check Yahoo Group site & your email if hike is questionable.

RH=Roadhead, where we meet. TH=Trailhead, where we begin our hike.
RT=Round Trip, total length of hike.

If you plan to drive directly to a trailhead, bypassing the roadhead, please first confirm the trip is as planned.
Cars leave the roadhead promptly at 9 AM unless scheduled otherwise.

Conventional cars can be driven to trailheads unless otherwise noted.  Rain, snow, or lack of a trip leader cancels trips—please check Yahoo Group site & your email if hike is questionable.

RH=Roadhead, where we meet.  TH=Trailhead, where we begin our hike.  RT=Round Trip, total length of hike.

If you plan to drive directly to a trailhead, bypassing the roadhead, please first confirm the trip is as planned. 

Roadheads:
Greenhorn Summit:Junction of Highway 155 and Rancheria Road in the Greenhorn Mountains.
Lake Isabella Park:    (with war vehicles)—Lake Isabella Blvd. south of signals.
Paul’s Place: (East of Isabella Lake) 1.0 mile east of Sierra Way and Highway 178 junction on paved,
semi-loop road, south of Highway 178.
Riverkern Market: 3.0 miles upriver north of Kernville on Sierra Way.

Bakersfield Meeting Locations:
Chevron Station: Junction of Highways 178 & 184 (Weedpatch Hwy.)
Hwy 58 Park ‘n Ride: Junction of Highways   58 & 184 (Weedpatch Hwy.)  Park ‘n Ride on east onramp.
Hodel’s Dining: Northwest corner of Olive Drive and Highway 99.
Starbucks Coffee: Lowe’s shopping center, northeast on Panama Lane and Highway 99.

July 12, 2008
Needles Lookout in the Western Divide Mtns / 100 Giants or Slate Mtn.

One of our most popular trips. Easy hike to the lookout peak, moderate hike up switchbacks,
and then a breathtaking climb up stairs to the tower perched on a granite needle.

5.0 miles RT                                                    ESS: WS T51                                       1165' elev. gain

RH: Leave Riverkern Market at 8:00 AM    (leave Bakersfield Chevron @ 6:30 AM)            RH-to-TH: 33.7 miles

Slate Mountain Hike in Western Divide Mountains

We will begin at Quaking Aspen Campground and climb up a flower-bordered path to
a place on the mountain where a chalet was pro­posed in the long defunct Peppermint Winter Recreation plan.
Most of us will want to climb a little farther to the summit of
Slate Mountain where we can observe its interesting views. Moderate-to-strenuous hiking.

9.4 miles RT                                                    ESS:WS T52                                        2045' elev. gain

RH: Riverkern Market at 8:00 AM       (leave Bakersfield Chevron @ 6:30 AM)        RH-to-TH: 42.9 miles

(Bakersfield hikers can meet us at Quaking Aspen Campground
group parking--see car tours T41 & T46 or T74--call to confirm hike.)  

July 26, 2008
Cottonwood Lakes – Horseshoe Meadow

This is our annual eastern Sierra trip and takes us north of Kern County up
into the beautiful high Sierras wilderness of Inyo County. This hidden jewel of the Sierras
includes cottonwood trees, alpine lakes and majestic Sierra peaks.
Hiking to one of the many named Cottonwood Lakes and added bonus of Muir Lake
(named for famous naturalist John Muir). For those wanting to get a peak in,
there are several variations without having do to the big Mama such as Mt. Langley at 14,027’. 
We can expect the meadows and lakes to be flowing including some wildflowers like shooting stars,
sky pilot and columbine. It is highly recommended to make a weekend out of this
trip to enjoy an extra day of hiking and nature. Mosquitoes will probably be out
in force – recommend a repellant which includes the ingredient deet.

Trip Stats: The Cottonwood Lakes loop is approximately 9 miles with about 2500’ elevation gain.

Trailhead Location: From Lone Pine travel west on the Whitney Portals Rd to the Horseshoe Meadows Rd.
From here the road starts first to the south (including passing Tuttle Creek Campground)
and then a series of switchbacks leading up the mountain and finally west into the Cottonwood Basin.
Drive time from Lone Pine is approximately 45 minutes. The Cottonwood /Horseshoe trailhead
is at approximately 9600’ elevation and is a good opportunity for some early season acclimation

RH meeting time and location: Meet at the McDonalds in Lone Pine at 8:30AM where we will
commute up to the trailhead. The drive time from Bakersfield to Lone Pine is approximately 3 hours.
Bakersfield hikers leave 5 AM from Park‘n Ride Hwy 58 & 184 (weedpatch).
Due to the length of the drive time some may wish to camp Friday and/or Saturday night.
This would be highly advantageous and give extra time to enjoy this scenic wonderland.
Camping information provided upon request.

August 9, 2008
Mystery Hike

Presently the leaders are clueless (are you surprised?)   (leave Bakersfield ???? @ 7:00 AM)

Look for clues from email posts on the Yahoo Group web site.

August 23, 2007
Lakes Trail - Watchtower   Sequoia Nat. Park

This hike delivers magnificent alpine scenery and four picturesque lakes.  Spectacular vistas abound from the Watchtower section, a narrow trail dynamited out of a sheer cliff almost 2000 feet above Tokopah Valley.  Those preferring to avoid such treats can opt for the Hump Trail.  Both trails converge at Heather Lake, 3.75 miles from the starting point.  The trail continues from there, ending at Pear Lake, for an 11.5 mile round trip.  A 9 am start will assure that all hikers wishing to complete the entire trail will have time to do so.

Directions: Travel north on Hwy 99 to the Visalia/198 exit.  Go east on 198, through Visalia, past Lake Kaweah, and through the town of Three Rivers.  Shortly past the end of 198, you will arrive at the Ash Mountain entrance station to Sequoia National Park.  Each vehicle will need either a National Parks pass or to pay the fee for a 14-day pass.  Drive approx 18 miles north on the Generals Highway from the entrance station.  Following the signs, make a right turn to the Wolverton trailhead and continue straight past the General Sherman Tree parking area.

11.5 miles RT to Pear Lake, 7.5 miles RT to Heather Lake                                     2795’ elev. gain to Pear Lake

RH: Leave from Hodel’s parking lot in Bakersfield @ 6:00 AM

TH: Wolverton parking lot, Sequoia Nat. Park

September 6, 2008
Cannell Point & Cannell Meadow Guard Station on the Kern Plateau

On the south end of the Kern Plateau past Big Meadow on maintained, unpaved, Cherry Hill Road. A steep hike with rewarding views of Lake Isabella and the Kern River Valley.

3.4 miles RT                                                    1535’ elev. gain

We will hike on a piece of the Cannell National Recreation Trail through the mountains and near the headwaters of Cannell Creek before arriving at the historic ranger station sitting at the head of spacious Cannell Meadow.

4.2 miles RT                         ESS:ES T68                 1125' elev. gain

RH: Leave Riverkern Market at 8:30 AM       (leave Bakersfield Chevron @ 7:00 AM)     RH-to-TH: 36.1 miles

September 20, 2008
Freeman Creek Grove

This hike climbs up to the big trees starting at Lloyd Meadow Rd.(SNF Rd. 22S82).  It includes the President Bush tree, dedicated July 14, 1992, which is an easy one mile into the trip.  The trail recently underwent major maintenance, including the clearing of brush and the building of new bridges over creek crossings.  It is a lovely hiking trail! 

6.0 miles RT                                                                                                                1360' elev. gain

RH: Leave Riverkern Market at 8:30 AM            (leave Bakersfield Chevron @ 7:00 AM)    RH-to-TH: 40.3 miles

Directions:  North on Sierra Way/Mtn 99, over Johnsondale Bridge,
5 miles to FS 22S82 (Lloyd Meadows Road).  Drive 19 miles to Freeman Creek.
Parking area is beyond the sign for the Freeman Creek Trail, on the left.

October 4, 2008
Salmon Creek Hike on the Kern Plateau

We will shorten this moderate hike a bit by starting at the end of SNF Road 23S08 instead of Horse Meadow. The trail descends sharply among wildflowers, crosses Salmon Creek, and then meanders along it to near the top of the unseen falls.

7.1 miles RT                                                    ESS:ES T58                                         820' elev. gain

RH: Leave Riverkern Market at 9:00 AM   (leave Bakersfield Chevron @ 7:30 AM) RH-to-TH: 36.5 miles

October 18, 2008
Fall Colors and the Aspens of Hooker Meadows

This easy trek leads to some of the finest aspen groves in the Kern Plateau. During the fall the leaves turn become golden yellow. The trail starts out following a branch of Jackass Creek north through a narrow canyon first on trail and then old logging road. From here it leads to Hooker Meadow and the beautiful aspen groves at the northern end of the meadow. This involves a long drive on the Kern Plateau, but that adds to the delight of this trip.

5.8 miles RT                                                    ESS:ES T78                                           860' elev. gain

8.0 miles RT for those who would like to climb Jackass Peak (9287’)                                    1460’ elev. gain

RH: Leave Riverkern Market at 8:00 AM.   (leave Bakersfield Chevron @ 6:30 AM)            RH-to-TH: 54.6 miles

TH Meeting Time: 9:30 AM  Approximate drive time from Bakersfield: 3 hours.

TH Location: (T46 ESS-ES)  For driving instructions refer to T52 ESS-ES for driving instructions. T46 is just east of the Blackrock-Monache Rd. with nearby Fish Creek Campground or Troy Meadows Campground. Due to length of driving time some may wish to camp one or two nights at Troy Meadows Campground which would allow added time for enjoying sunrise-sunset colors.

November 1, 2008
Packsaddle Cave Hike North of Kernville
Spooky Halloween Hike

We'll hike up to the cave on this moderate-to-strenuous trip, criss-crossing a slender stream along the way. Stalactites and stalagmites can be found inside the cave away from the entrance area.

4.8 miles RT                                                    ESS:ES T45                                         1315' elev. gain

RH: Leave from Riverkern Market at 9:00 AM (leave Bakersfield Chevron @ 7:30 AM)   RH-to-TH: 11.9 miles

November 15, 2008
Whiskey Flat Trail Hike

We will start at McNally’s Restaurant and ascend south, cross Tobias Creek, see fine views of Kern Canyon, and hike the trail summit of Ant Canyon where we can view Salmon Falls. But, alas! only a trickle this time of year. Then continue and eventually cross Bull Run Creek and arrive at Burlando Rd.   Moderate hiking.

14 miles one way                      ESS:WS T24                1000 elev. gain

RH & TH: Leave at the end of Burlando Road on the west side of Kernville at 7:00 AM and carpool to McNally’s to begin hike.            (leave Bakersfield Chevron @ 6:00 AM)  Bring lights for safety.

November 29, 2008
Split Mountain (6835’) and for Rambo hikers Black Mountain (7438’)

Moderate bushwhacking hike across undulating terrain to the top of Split Mt. Terrific views of Lake Isabella.

7.0 miles RT                                                                                                                3000’ elev. gain 

Rambo Hikers can do both peaks as a loop hike with a car shuttle from Black Mtn. Saddle.

8.3 miles loop.                                                                                                             3984’ elev. gain

RH: Leave Greenhorn Summit at 8 AM.     (leave Bakersfield Chevron @ 6:30 AM) RH to TH: 5 miles

December 13, 2008
Pacific Crest Trail to Scodie Peak (7294’)

From  the PCT junction at the WP Campground hike south along the PCT for approximately 4 miles to east running drainage. This drainage is will marked and leads to a short climb along the Scodie Ridge. From the time you “jump off” the PCT to the summit approximately 1.5 miles. If you chose not to go the summit; you can just hike the PCT or at least gain the Scodie ridge for some fantastic views including Cow Haven Canyon, Indian Wells Valley and north to Mt. Jenkins. At 7000’ near the peak is a large, singular boulder with an 18" wide by 18" deep basin (Indian mortar?) and a lean-to hut with a heavy cast iron stove.

11.0 miles RT                                                                                                              2300’ elev. gain

RH-TH: Walker Pass Campground at 8 AM – approximately ½ mile west of Walker Pass on Hwy 178 east of Lake Isabella.  (leave Bakersfield Chevron @ 6:30 AM)