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Rock Creek to Kern Canyon

Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 9:47 pm
by skinnyhips
Has anyone hiked off-trail down Rock Creek, dropping into the Kern River Canyon from the east, just to the north of the Kern Hot Spring? Would be going off trail from around the Rock Creek Ranger Station on the PCT just SE of Mt. Guyot.
My son and I have done the Big Arroyo into the Kern Canyon from the west side, between Rattlesnake Creek to the south and the High Sierra Trail to the north, which was challenging but doable. (Actually my son, 20 at the time, had no problems, but I don't have the rock hopping nimbleness I once had). Rock Creek looks a bit steeper than Big Arroyo.

Re: Rock Creek to Kern Canyon

Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 6:43 am
by copeg
Here's an older post with a very brief description of a route that might help: Shortest way to Kern Hot Springs.

Re: Rock Creek to Kern Canyon

Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 1:00 pm
by skinnyhips
Thanks for pointing me to the earlier post...

Re: Rock Creek to Kern Canyon

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:51 pm
by 1HikingFool
Last week my son (22) and I (63) made the cross country trip to Funston, down a chute to the Kern Hot Springs, and on the High Sierra to Crescent Meadow. Used firm GPS points across the meadow to the lake and down the chute. In retrospect I would not do this again since the risk reward is off balance. The trip down the chute (very steep and loose) was very risky with slipping sections and several rock falls. We had full packs on for the five day trip. Noticed that someone else had used this route earlier in the year. The problem is that there is a probability of injury and once you get to the bottom it is 3 days out via one of several exit routes.

Re: Rock Creek to Kern Canyon

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 12:45 pm
by maverick
Hi 1HikingFool,

Welcome to HST! Thank you for your input, maybe we will get lucky and get
a TR & pictures from you too. :unibrow: