Kern Valley Hiking Club +

Just a long day trip, because the weather is perfect there now!

I was just there 2 weeks ago. Beautiful 🤩

Lower caves, Bear Gulch Reservoir, High Peaks.

About 6-7 miles.

Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/pinnacles-np-high-peaks-loop-827d737?sh=she-kraw&utm_campaign=memory&unfurl=false&showMemory=true

You can carpool with me in my SUV 🚗 It can hold 5 people in total.

All of our regular disclaimers, disclosures, responsibilities, and lack of liabilities apply for this event

Please refer to a previous event if you are not familiar with them. Thank you 🙏

Length: 5.5 miles, RT
Elevation gain: 1,000 feet, starting at 3,500 ft elevation

Bakersfield Hikers meet at the Shell station by 7:15 am and leave at 7:30 am. We will meet the local hikers by the Kernville Sierra Gateway Market at 8:30 am. The trailhead parking lot for this hike is next to the McNally Burger Stand, starting @ 9:00 am. Same parking lot as Whiskey Flat trailhead. If you will meet us at the trailhead, please comment below.

This is an enjoyable out and back class 1 hike. Page 67, T25 in the Jenkins book, West side. The total distance is 5.5 miles with about 1,000 feet elevation gain. We will hike over the suspension bridge behind McNally's and then up the maintained Whiskey Flat Trail to the junction with Tobias Creek and Flynn Canyon trails. We will continue on the Tobias Creek trail up and down the ridges, across a dry wash, past a campsite at the creek, up the canyon to the creek crossing. The creek crossing is heavily wooded and will be a cool spot to take a break. We will not cross the creek but will retrace our steps to return to the cars. Those who want a longer hike may cross the creek and continue up the ridge to the paved Sugarloaf road. We should expect to encounter poison oak and ticks on portions of the trail along the creek.

Thank you so much for being a part of this awesome hiking club!

It is always possible that the weather can interrupt our plans. Please check the weather forecast before you come and bring appropriate gear. There is shade at the creek, but the trail has no shade, please bring plenty of water.

*** PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY *** No one in the group is a guide or in any way responsible for your comfort or safety. Please be prepared with adequate gear and supplies for the trip. Please remember that going out into wilderness has risks associated with it and you should be aware and prepared to address any changes in weather, road conditions or to look out for/avoid random acts of nature, including insects, wild animals and natural hazards. It is your responsibility to evaluate the difficulty of any activity you participate in, and decide whether you are prepared by having the experience, skill, knowledge, equipment, and the physical and emotional stamina to safely participate.

*** WAIVER OF LIABILITY *** The Organizers and members in this group are not professional leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Kern Valley Hiking Club Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.

By RSVPing you and those you bring with you as your guests ARE agreeing to the above statements.

This is a hike down the Kern River Gorge through Keyesville South. There is a nice trail to follow, but are a few sections of off trail hiking and some mild rock scrambling. Lots of places to take pictures of how the river has cut its way through the bedrock. A very beautiful section of the Kern to hike. We will start at the Keyesville South campground and hike down the River Gorge Trail to the Vista Ridge Trail. We will take the Vista Ridge Trail to Keysville South Peak and stop for a snack break at the top. The Vista Ridge Trail is a gradual climb, 600' total gain, to a nice peak that overlooks Lake Isabella and the Wetlands. After our break we will continue on the Vista Ridge Trail back to the cars at Keysville South Campground. The total distance of the hike will be just over 4 miles.

Hike plan:
9:03am Meet and Greet at the Keysville South Campground in the dirt parking area by the dumpsters. Start hiking at 9:13. Since this is a relatively short hike, we will maintain a mild, easy pace throughout. We will make several stops along the gorge to regather, take photos, and snack. We will make our last stop at the peak and have lunch before heading down and back to the cars. Should take around 3 hours.

*** WAIVER OF LIABILITY *** The Organizers and members in this group are not professional hiking guides. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Kern Valley Hiking Club + Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/b/b/0/highres_465703952.jpeg

I started this Thanksgiving tradition in 2015 when REI suggested we all opt outside and closed all their stores on Black Fridays. But Saturdays works best for most people. I think I only cancelled one time due to snow and I couldn't get out of my driveway.
We will meet at Hagen Canyon Parking lot near the intersection of Hwy. 14 and Abbott Dr.. 9 am.
Depending on the direction you are going, turn west onto Abbott Dr., the parking lot is on the left side of the road just after you turn. If you get to the visitor center, you have gone way too far.
Don't use the pin for direction because it is often wrong.
This is not a hike for beginners or for people who are afraid of crawling on all 4 in some cases. It's very rocky and slippery terrain almost all cross country.
App. 7 1/2 miles.

NO DOGS ALLOWED ON THIS HIKE
15 ESSENTIALS YOU MUST CARRY ON ALL HIKES
Besides the obvious 1 1/2-2 liters of water, lunch, snack, warm jacket/wind breaker, rain gear if needed, warm hat and gloves, the following is a must to have in your day pack:

1. Map of the area, even if you are using a gps
3. Headlamp or small flashlight with extra batteries.
4. Knife or utility tool such as a Swiss Army knife
5. Fire starter. You can make your own with cotton balls and Vaseline or

Esbit fuel cubes.
6. Emergency space blanket
7. Emergency water purifier or filter.
8. Light weight base layer (Thermasilk is very light weight)
9. First aid kit
10. Extra food (2-3 power bars)
11. Waterproof matches (or regular matches or lighter kept in zip bag)
12. Sun screen
13. Small plastic trowel and toilet paper (in zip bag)
14. App. 2’ duck tape.
15. Whistle to scare away bears or to be found if lost.
Every hiker needs to carry these items on all day hikes. No sharing.
*** PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY *** No one in the group is a guide or in any way responsible for your comfort or safety. Please be prepared with adequate gear and supplies for the trip. Please remember that going out into wilderness has risks associated with it and you should be aware and prepared to address any changes in weather, road conditions or to look out for/avoid random acts of nature, including insects, wild animals and natural hazards. It is your responsibility to evaluate the difficulty of any activity you participate in, and decide whether you are prepared by having the experience, skill, knowledge, equipment, and the physical and emotional stamina to safely participate.
*** WAIVER OF LIABILITY *** The Organizers and members in this group are not professional leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Southern Sierra Hiking Club Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.