Isabella Peak hike and Firework show!

The annual Lake Isabella Fireworks Show is on for 2026.
So, let's celebrate Independence Day, on the 4th of July with a hike and Firework show! We will meet at the dirt lot outside the Hungry Gulch Campground at 7:33pm to hike up to Isabella Peak.
There is also parking across the road in the Boulder Gulch campground area.

Isabella Peak hike:
The trailhead is in The Hungry Gulch campground located (35.671371, -118.471068). We will meet in the dirt lot/entrance gate to the campground at 7:33pm, and start hiking to the peak promptly at 7:43pm.

Isabella Peak (3023’) is located on the northwest side of scenic Lake Isabella. We will hike 1.5 miles with an elevation gain of 350 feet in the early evening to Isabella Peak. Once at the peak, we will relax on blankets or folding chairs, eat snacks, and watch the stars come out.
At 9:30 PM (or whenever it is dark enough) the firework show will begin over the Lake. The fireworks are launched from Engineers Point which is the point of land between the main dam and the auxiliary dam. We will have a wonderful view of the fireworks exploding over the lake from the vantage point of the peak. The fireworks last about thirty minutes, and then we will hike back, in the dark, to the trailhead, locate our cars, and then head out.
Bring a snack, drink and something to sit on while we wait for the Fireworks Show to begin. Also bring a headlamp or flashlight for the trek back in the dark. This is a heavily used well maintained trail and a fairly easy hike. Families are welcome.

Event information is provided by the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce. Click here for more information and to donate money for the firework show (https://www.kernrivervalley.com/fireworks-extravaganza).

To decide what to wear click here for current local weather information. (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.66343304418162&lon=-118.4820556640625&site=hnx&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text)

Camping at Lake Isabella (http://kernvalley.com/news/lakecamp.htm)

Information about Hungry Gulch Campground (http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Hungry_Gulch_Ca/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71568)

**\ *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.

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