My friends and I decided to go on a Kern River rafting trip for a weekend getaway․ We booked our trip through a local outfitter, and they provided us with all the necessary gear, including life jackets, paddles, and helmets․ We also rented a wetsuit, which I highly recommend if you’re going during the colder months․
Booking the Trip
I started planning our Kern River rafting trip a few months in advance․ I did some research online and talked to a few different outfitters before deciding on Kern River Tours․ They had good reviews and offered a variety of trip options to choose from․
I booked our trip online and paid a deposit to hold our spot․ The total cost of the trip was $250 per person, which included two days of rafting, camping gear, and meals․
A few weeks before the trip, I received a confirmation email from Kern River Tours with all the details of our trip, including the meeting time and location․ I also received a packing list of what to bring, which was very helpful․
On the day of the trip, we arrived at the meeting point early and checked in with the staff․ They fitted us with life jackets, paddles, and helmets, and then we loaded our gear into the rafts․
We were all excited to start our rafting adventure!
Tips for booking your Kern River rafting trip⁚
- Book your trip in advance, especially if you’re going during peak season․
- Compare prices and reviews from different outfitters before making a decision․
- Make sure to ask about what’s included in the price of the trip, such as meals, camping gear, and transportation․
- Be sure to pack everything on the packing list, including sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat․
- Arrive at the meeting point early to check in and get fitted for your gear․
I hope this helps! Have a great time on your Kern River rafting trip!
The First Day
We started our rafting trip with a safety briefing from our guide, Emily․ She went over the basics of paddling and how to stay safe on the river․ Then, we hit the water!
The first day of our trip was relatively mellow, with Class II and III rapids․ We had a lot of fun paddling through the rapids and floating down the river․ We also stopped for a few breaks to swim and relax․
For lunch, we stopped at a sandy beach and ate the sandwiches that we had packed․ After lunch, we continued rafting for a few more hours before reaching our campsite for the night․
We set up our tents and then gathered around the campfire for dinner․ Emily cooked us a delicious meal of steak, potatoes, and vegetables․ After dinner, we roasted marshmallows and told stories around the fire․
It was a perfect first day on the Kern River!
Highlights of the first day⁚
- Running the Class II and III rapids
- Swimming and relaxing in the river
- Eating a delicious dinner around the campfire
- Roasting marshmallows and telling stories
Tips for the first day⁚
- Be sure to listen to your guide’s safety briefing․
- Wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun․
- Bring plenty of water and snacks to stay hydrated and energized․
- Be prepared to get wet! Rafting can be a wet and wild experience․
- Have fun and enjoy the scenery!
I hope you have a great first day on your Kern River rafting trip!
The Second Day
The second day of our Kern River rafting trip was more challenging than the first, with Class III and IV rapids․ We started the day with a few warm-up rapids, and then we hit the biggest rapid of the trip, called “The Narrows․”
The Narrows is a Class IV rapid with a steep drop and a narrow passageway․ Our guide, Emily, expertly navigated us through the rapid, and we all came out unscathed․
After The Narrows, we continued rafting for a few more hours, running a few more Class III rapids along the way․ We also stopped for a few breaks to swim and relax․
For lunch, we stopped at a sandy beach and ate the sandwiches that we had packed․ After lunch, we continued rafting for a few more hours before reaching our takeout point․
We were all sad to see our rafting trip come to an end, but we were also proud of ourselves for completing the journey․ We had a lot of fun and learned a lot about rafting along the way․
Highlights of the second day⁚
- Running The Narrows, a Class IV rapid
- Navigating the Class III rapids
- Swimming and relaxing in the river
- Enjoying a delicious lunch on the beach
Tips for the second day⁚
- Be sure to listen to your guide’s instructions and paddle hard!
- Wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun․
- Bring plenty of water and snacks to stay hydrated and energized․
- Be prepared to get wet! Rafting can be a wet and wild experience․
- Have fun and enjoy the scenery!
I hope you have a great second day on your Kern River rafting trip!
The Campsite
We camped at the South Fork Kern River Campground, which is located about halfway down the river․ The campground has a variety of campsites to choose from, including tent sites, RV sites, and group sites․ We chose a tent site that was located right on the riverbank․
Our campsite was spacious and private, and it had a fire pit and a picnic table․ We set up our tents and then spent the rest of the evening relaxing by the fire and stargazing․
The campground also has a number of amenities, including restrooms, showers, and a camp store․ The camp store sells a variety of items, including food, drinks, and firewood․
We really enjoyed camping at the South Fork Kern River Campground․ It was a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery․
Highlights of the campsite⁚
- Spacious and private campsites
- Fire pits and picnic tables
- Restrooms, showers, and a camp store
- Beautiful scenery
Tips for camping at the South Fork Kern River Campground⁚
- Make reservations in advance, especially if you’re camping during peak season․
- Bring plenty of water and food, as the camp store is limited․
- Be sure to pack a flashlight or headlamp․
- Follow all campground rules and regulations․
- Leave no trace and pack out all of your trash․
I hope you have a great time camping at the South Fork Kern River Campground!
Overall Experience
I had an amazing time on my Kern River rafting trip! The scenery was beautiful, the rapids were exciting, and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly․ I would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for a fun and adventurous weekend getaway․
Here are some of the highlights of my trip⁚
- The scenery was breathtaking․ We rafted through towering canyon walls, lush forests, and sparkling waterfalls․
- The rapids were exciting, but not too scary․ Even beginners can enjoy this trip․
- The guides were knowledgeable and friendly․ They made sure that everyone had a safe and enjoyable experience․
- The food was delicious․ We had a variety of meals, including grilled salmon, steak, and pasta․
- The campsite was beautiful․ We camped right on the riverbank and had a campfire every night․
Overall, I had an amazing time on my Kern River rafting trip․ It was a great way to experience the beauty of the Kern River and have some fun and adventure along the way․
Tips for planning your own Kern River rafting trip⁚
- Book your trip in advance, especially if you’re going during peak season․
- Choose a reputable outfitter that has a good safety record․
- Be sure to pack appropriate clothing and gear, including a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a hat․
- Follow all instructions from your guides․
- Have fun and enjoy the experience!
I hope you have a great time on your Kern River rafting trip!