Kern River Loop

 There were lots of water in the river. The snow from the late storms must be melting and the river was raging, like it did in April of 2017 on our way to Death Valley. And yes, the river north of Lake Isabella was clearer. It is not Lake Tahoe-clear, but you could see through it for more than a few feet. The trail also sported several lovely sandy beaches. People's been camping there obviously -- there were charred remains of fire at several places. 5 miles in, camp, 5 miles out. Seems like a good practice for backpacking. Something I should do before attempting Rae Lakes Loop.

On the way to Johnsondale Bridge, where the Kern River Loop starts, was Brush Creek. It was only 1.7 miles long, so I decided to hike it first.  After the river loop, I may not have enough energy left for it. And I was right, I did 10 miles at 2 mph and I was pooped out. I would've missed it if I did the river loop first.

Brush Creek was just as I imagined: clear water cascading down granite rocks forming swimming holes here and there. I got to the end, skinny-dipped, dried up and came back down. It's a dopamine-inducing antidote to CFS if there ever was one.

Day off at Hannings Flat

I should've brought the fan. I left it out because it's bulky and I never used it the last season. But I could've used it today. The temperature went up to upper 80s and I sat in the shade all day long because tent was too warm. The breeze kicked up at 4 PM and it cooled off a bit. I crawled into tent, napped for about 15 minutes and then came back out to the shade to write.

Then again, I may not need it. I need a fan on my day off at the camp, but I've improved enough that I no longer need to take every other day off. I did 10 miles yesterday and I could've been back on the trail today. Except that I figured I'd take the day off and do photos and blogs. I would've been hiking if I knew it would've been too warm to stay at the camp. Even if I say at the camp, I can stay up all day long. Before, the fan was a necessity because I had to lie down in the tent.

So, my new goal, back to back hiking 2 days in a row, seems within reach. I think I'll give it a try the next 2 days. I'll do about 6 miles tomorrow on Bull's Run Creek and Salmon Falls. Then I'll go right back on trail the day after for Kern River Loop and Brush Creek for the total of 12 miles. If I survive that, then Rae Lake Loop backpacking for 40 miles over 5 days will be the next.

I may have to return to Sacramento in a week. I still need to get my backpack and REI is having sale starting next week. I'm hoping to pick up the new Osprey Atmos 65 at 20% off. If they have Big Agnes tents on sale, I may pick that one up as well and then return MSR Hubba Hubba NX2. MSR is a great tent, but its weight has been, well, weighing on me. It is 0.75 lbs heavier than Big Agnes. That's extra 3 quarter pounders that I'd be carrying. I'm already spending over 4 lbs on the backpack, I need to go light on everything else. 

It's almost full moon at the camp. The moon lit up the earth so bright, I could walk about without any lights. 

Kern River Trail

Miracle Spring was about a mile north of the boondocking site on Kern Canyon Road. And Kern River Trail was supposed to be a few miles south of the site. But there was no Kern River Trail off Kern Canyon Road. I guessed that the trail was off the Highway 178, not Kern Canyon Road. They run in parallel, and I might have mistaken Highway 178 for Kern Canyon Road. But there was Mill Creek Trail just about where I thought Kern River Trail ought to be. I figured I'd do it just since I didn't find Kern River Trail. Then, about half way to Mill Creek, I found cell signal. I pulled over and searched for Kern River Trail. It was off Highway 178 indeed.

Mill Creek was a pleasant trail complete with sun exposure, shade and creek. But it wasn't anything exciting and I still have Kern River Trail to do. I walked for an hour, crossed the creek with trickle of water half a dozen times and then turned back.

To get to Kern River Trail, you have to park your car on the other side and then across the highway. You may be able to park at Delongha day use area across the river and then walk over the bridge, but I did not explore that option. Another possibility could be to park at Democrats Hot Spring and then hike in the other direction, I imagine. But the trail description did not mention that, so I assume nobody is doing it in that direction. 

The trail was completely empty. It was one of the top rated trail near Kernville, but apparently not too many people know about it. There was no sign marking the trailhead anywhere; you have to walk into the trail from the road to see the sign. I had the trail all to myself all day long. I intended to go all the way to Democrats Hot Spring, take a dip and then come back. I turned around two thirds of the way. I already did 4 miles on Mill Creek and I wasn't too excited at the prospect of the trail turning inland away from the river. It already did that about at half way mark and it was too hot. And I wasn't looking forward to dipping in the hot spring at that point. I figured I'd turn around and dip in the cold river at a low point of the trail. 

I didn't dip in the water. I got down to the river when I got close to the bridge, but the water wasn't too inviting; it was murky. I got straight back to the car, drove to Hannings Flat and took a cold bath. The temperature dropped quite a bit by then and I was shivering.

Good day overall. I don't know what it is about rivers and streams, but they just get my juice flow. And Kern River Trail was an excellent trail. I only wish the water was clear. It flows off Lake Isabella, a rather murky and toxic one. Kern River that flows into it should be much better. I'll find out in two days.