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:

New to our Outings Schedule are Website links on each listed hike which will take you to TopoZone topographic maps and county, state or national park websites if available and Yahoo hybrid road and satellite photo maps. Please explore this new feature!! If you have problems opening the web links, either put the cursor at the end of the link and press enter which should activate it and turn it blue, then click on it, or copy the link and paste into your web browser and click open or enter.

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.

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.

January 5, 2008
Nightmare Gulch - Red Rock Canyon State Park

Nightmare Gulch and Scenic Canyon are open until February 1st when the Birds of Prey Closure takes effect.
The TH starts at the Red Cliff parking area on the east side of Hwy 14.
We hike about one mile to the Scenic Canyon gate and another mile to the mouth of Nightmare Gulch.

You encounter the best part of the Gulch during the first mile inside (which takes you to Magic Silent City).
You can go beyond this point and it is enjoyable,
but the cliff height starts diminishing (thus the Gulch becomes less impressive).
The hike is easy and can be extended to Last Chance Canyon depending how far you desire to hike.

7.5 miles RT Red Rock Canyon State Park 500’ elev. gain

RH: Leave Jaw Bone Canyon (Store)/Hwy 14 at 9 AM.

RH-to-TH: 5 miles
TopoZone Map
Red Rock Canyon State Park

January 19, 2008
Dougherty Creek at Upper Rich Bar Campground-Lower Kern River

We will hike up a gated steep strenuous half mile paved historic road used in early 1900's
to haul material for the power plant flume and then one mile of unpaved trail up
to a small hill above Cow Flat Rd.that connects Hwy 178 and Breckenridge Rd.

We will have lovely views of the Kern River and Canyon and hopefully early blooming flowers.
For those who feel the urge to hike further, we will continue NE along Cow Flat Rd. to Lucas Creek.

3.0 to 8.0 miles RT 1700’ elev. gain
RH: Leave Upper Rich Bar Campground-Lower Kern River at 9 AM. RH-to-TH: 0.0 miles

February 2, 2008
Owl Canyon / Rainbow Basin Loop Hike (North of Barstow)

Carpool and park at Owl Canyon Campground.
We hike north up the beautiful desert canyon about 4 miles until it opens up into desert hills.
We then begin a steeper ascent to the top of a plateau overlooking the colorful Rainbow Basin.
We then turn southwest descending along a ridge into a beautiful slot canyon.
We will visit several other short impassable slot canyons including one
with two natural tunnels and then hike over a ridge and back to Owl Canyon.

Directions: East on Hwy 58 to I-15, north on Barstow Rd, left on Main St., right on First Ave.,
left on Irwin Rd for 6 miles, left on Fossil Bed Road for 3 miles to Rainbow Basin Loop Road,
turn right and travel 1 mile to Owl Canyon road, turn right and travel about 2 miles to the campground.

8.3 miles RT 700' elev. gain.
RH: Leave from Owl Canyon Campground at 10 am

TopoZone Map
Owl Canyon Info

February 16, 2007
Whiskey Flat trail & Bull Run Falls (Whiskey Flat Days, Kernville)

This is another wintertime favorite. We'll hike along this old,
well-established trail, which offers open views of Kern Canyon.
It's an easy stroll. We hope the log is still in place over Bull Run Creek for our crossing.
We'll stop on the river across from Camp 3 for lunch. For those who want some cardio-workout,
we will hike up Bull Run Creek to the falls for 1100’ elev. gain and 3 more miles RT.

6.0 miles RT ESS:WS T23 200’ elev. gain
3.0 miles RT 1100’ elev. gain

RH & TH: Leave at the end of Burlando Road on the west side of Kernville at 9 AM.

TopoZone Map
TopoZone Map

March 1, 2008
Chuckwalla & Cross Mts. Hike from Pine Tree Canyon

Skill Level: Chuckwalla only: moderate due to elevation gain
Chuckwalla and Cross: strenuous due to elevation gain/loss; route finding and mileage
Trailhead: Lone Tree Canyon Road is first predominant dirt road on Highway 14
 north of Highway 58, turn west of Highway 14 – the road travels first under,
then over the aqueduct and then a fork to the right (north).
From here it is recommended to have 4wd to for the rest of the road to the trailhead.
Route: Chuckwalla only – from start of hike approximately 3.5 miles round trip
but considered moderate to elevation gain – steep ascent for short time while
gaining the ridgeline – expected elevation gain is nearly 1500 ft.

For the more aggressive hikers – Cross Mountain can be hiked also.
This hike requires a more experienced hiker.
From the ridgeline saddle below Chuckwalla you descend to the canyon to the west.
This is an approximately 800ft elevation drop that later needs to be regained on the hike out.
Then follow the canyon up – passing south of Peak 4762.
After passing Pk 4762, aim for slot to saddle between 4762 and Cross.
Some class II with route finding can successfully get you on the ridgeline
which then becomes easy to follow up to the summit of Cross Mountain.
The return hike from Cross follows roughly the same route with a few modifications options available.
There is no trail to Cross, therefore you will need some skill in route finding also.
Expect this to be added 7+ miles with over 3500 ft. of gain.

There is no water along the routes; so you should plan on carrying all water for the day.
I would recommend minimum of 1.5 liters for Chuckwalla and 2.5-3.0 liters
for Chuckwalla-Cross plus additional electrolyte drinks or supplements.

TopoZone Map

March 15, 2008
Upper Kern River & optional Rincon Trail Loop Hike

This is one of our favorite hikes! Young-or not so young; fast or not so fast;
singles, couples, and families! Everyone enjoys this hike along the rushing
North Fork Kern National Wild and Scenic River.
An optional loop trip will take hikers up a moderately steep connecting trail to the Rincon Trail,
and from there west to Sherman Pass Road.
Water: 2 liters for shorter hike, 3 liters for loop trip, more if warm weather.

8.4 miles RT ESS: ES T99 240' elev. gain
10.5 miles optional loop trip 1630’ elev. gain
RH: Leave Riverkern Market at 9 AM
RH-to-TH: 16.4 miles

March 29, 2008
Cannell Trail to Harley Mountain (5778’)

The Cannell Trail, a National Recreation Trail, will take us high above our starting point.
Some hikers will choose to go 1.5 miles to the “Singing Gate” and climb one of the
nearby peaks to take in the views and have a lunch break.
Others will choose to continue to the Harley Mtn trail cutoff and from there
climb to the summit of Harley Mtn.. Moderate-to-steep hike.
4 miles RT shorter hike
Water: 1 liter short hike, 3 liters longer hike, more if warm weather
10.6 miles

RT Harley Mtn ESS:ES T39 3350' elev. gain
RH & TH: Leave from Cannell Trailhead on Sierra Wy just beyond Camp Owens,
1.5 miles north of Kernville Rd junction at 9 AM.

TopoZone Map

This easy-to-moderate hike above the tumultuous Kern River, among the spring wildflowers,
is one of our most popular trips. The trail meanders north of the river
 with many good views and grassy spots to sit.
6.6 miles

RT ESS:WS T20 700' elev. gain
RH & TH: Leave from the parking area just west (below) of the first bridge crossing heading up canyon.
We can no longer park opposite the trail where the freeway section begins.
Water: 1.5 liters, more if hot weather.

Start at the Remington Ridge trailhead on Old Kern Canyon Rd.
at elev. 2480. Hikers wishing an easier hike will have lunch at one of the pretty,
shaded flat spots and return to the cars. Others will ascend the Remington Ridge
trail for 5.4 miles, then turn off the trail to attain the summit of Lightner Peak
300 feet above. Water: 2 liters for shorter hike 4 + liters for longer hike
5.0 mi
RT shorter hike 1850’ elev. Gain 13.3 mi RT to Lightner Peak 3950’ elev Gain
RH: Meet at intersection of Hwy 178 and Borel Road at 8 AM.
RH to TH: 2.1 miles

TopoZone Map

May 3, 2008
Bear Trap Canyon to Blue Ridge, Tejon Ranch

Tejon Ranch has graciously given us permission to hike this beautiful loop
starting at the east end of Bear Trap Canyon (4400’)
and then hike NE and east to Blue Ridge (6566’).
9 miles RT 2166’ elev. gain
13 miles RT Diorite Peak (6674’) 2274’ elev. gain

RH: Leave Flying J parking lot, Lebec at 8:00 AM.
RH-to TH: ? miles
TopoZone Map
TopoZone Map
TopoZone Map
TopoZone Map
TopoZone Map

May 17, 2008
West Side - Unal Trail at Greenhorn Summit Loop Hike, Russell’s Cabin Potluck

After hike and potluck, we will plan the club hike schedule for
July thru October. Please post your wish list of hikes.
This easy, forested loop, we'll swing around the ridge on an unpaved road
with vignettes of the distant San Joaquin Valley toward Shirley Meadows,
then hike back along the ridge crest to the Unal trail and down to where we began.
Do this loop in reverse for the moderate hike.
Afterward the hikers are invited to a potluck at Julie & Tim Russell’s
cabin in the adjacent village of Alta Sierra.
We will caravan or hike to their cabin to avoid getting lost.
5.0 miles loop trip 730’ elev. gain

RH-TH: Leave Greenhorn Summit at 9 AM.
RH-to-TH: 0.0 miles
TopoZone Map

May 24, 2008
Ruby Memorial hike to Morris Peak (7215’), Mount Jenkins (7921’)

This trip takes us north from the junction of the Pacific Crest Trail with Hwy 178.
For those desiring a moderate day hike, the turnaround point will be Morris Peak,
a round trip of 8.7 miles. Morris Peak offers great views of this area and
the desert valleys to the east. For fit hikers up to a challenge, our hike continues
to Mt Jenkins, which was named after Bill and Ruby’s son Jim Jenkins.
Turning west at 7.25 miles from our starting point,
we will make the steep ascent to the summit of Mt. Jenkins.
Water – 2.5 liters to Morris, 4 liters to Jenkins, more if warm weather
8.7 miles RT for Morris Peak (7215’) TS 26 & 27 ESS:ES 1950' elev. gain
14.8 miles RT for Mt. Jenkins (7921’) 2650' elev. gain
15.6 miles RT for both peaks.

RH-TH: Meet at the top of Walker Pass on Highway 178 (this is east of the campgrounds) at 8 AM.

June 7, 2008
Jerkey Trailhead to Little Kern River Bridge hike

A colorful rock canyon and a roaring Little Kern River make this venture
into the Golden Trout Wilderness an outstanding trip. Although lengthy,
the trail has easy grades. We will ascend moderately to the ridge then will continue
down to the river. Those wishing a shorter hike will turn around at the top of the ridge.
Water: 2 liters if you refill at the river
Ridge hikers: 5.0 miles RT ESS:WS T71 1005' el gain
Bridge hikers 10.2 miles RT 2170' el gain

RH: Leave Riverkern Market at 8 AM.
RH-to-TH: 42.6 miles

June 21, 2008
Cedar Creek Hike

We ascend from Alder Creek Campground off of Hwy 155 along the banks
of delightful Cedar Creek where we will have lunch at Cedar Creek Campground.
This is a moderate hike, mostly cross-country among the pines and flower-speckled
green hills. If lucky, we will see thousands of ladybugs covering rocks and branches!
6.0 miles RT ESS: WS T28 920’ elev. gain

RH: Leave Greenhorn Summit at 9 AM.
RH-to-TH: 3.2 miles
TopoZone Map
TopoZone Map
TopoZone Map