Forks of the Kern Day Hike

The club has not done this hike since June 2017, so it's time to do it again! Several years ago there were wildfires in the area, vegetation should be coming back now.

This hike is 4.5 miles round trip to the Kern River, with an elevation gain of 1247 feet. The trail is down to the river and up on the way back to the cars. We will take it slow. After meeting in Kernville we will drive for about an hour and a half to the trailhead off of Lloyd Meadows Road. Be prepared for the sun and bring more than enough water please, and a lunch. The road is paved to the trail until the last part which is a short decent dirt road. A detailed description of this hike may be found in the Book Exploring the Southern Sierra: West Side by Ruby Jenkins which is T70 on page 145.

AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/forks-of-the-kern-trail-short-option

NOTE: This trailhead had issues with bears damaging cars in 2022, after wildfires. Even though the rangers tell me no one has had property damaged lately, I recommend that we leave no food in our cars. People that had bear problems report that the bears ran once they saw people.

*** 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.