Located just three hours north of Los Angeles, the Kern River is the closest whitewater to San Diego. Not including when debris (cars and people) gets caught in the San Diego River at Mission Valley during a little rain. The Kern however, boasts over 60 miles of commercially run whitewater. The Kern is located inside the Sequoia National Park, home of Mt. Whitney. At 14,495 feet Mt. Whitney is the tallest mountain in the “lower 48” states and that is just where the Kern begins. As the snow from Mt. Whitney melts it flows down to the Lake Isabel Reservoir to form the Upper Kern. From there the water is let out into the Lower Kern.

Difficulty/Season:
The Upper Kern runs in the spring and consists of classes II – V rapids. The Lower Kern runs in the Summer with classes II – IV.

Links:
Kern River Tours