Finally, after a long time, about 6 months or so, I finally got to get away from home and do a little traveling. So this past weekend, headed to the southern part of the state and cruised from the Bay Area, through Bakersfield, through Tehachapi and then headed north to Red Rock Canyon. Last time I had been there was in 1973, so I don't really remember it at all, and then over Walker Pass to Lake Isabella and then up the Kern River above Kernville and then back down to Bakersfield.
I must say, Red Rock Canyon State Park is pretty impressive. Not much shade at all, so probably a winter or spring destination for me, but not bad. Very clean campground. The way I look at it is it's a good place to stop between the Bay Area and other parts to the east like Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Zion, or points north up 395 like Mono Lake, backside of Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes area, etc. And getting to there from the Bay Area is only about 5 to 5.5 hours, a good day without having to push it, which when it comes to road trips, I don't like pushing it.
And following the rains we had recently, the Kern River is absolutely flowing like crazy! I don't think I've ever seen it so high. It is definitely cleaning itself out as the water was very turbid, almost looking like glacial silt water.
Overall, a good little day trip -- I was visiting in Bakersfield -- just a bit over 200 miles for the day. Relaxing!
At any rate, here are a couple videos I shot, one of Red Rock Canyon campground and the other of the Kern River.
and
I must say, Red Rock Canyon State Park is pretty impressive. Not much shade at all, so probably a winter or spring destination for me, but not bad. Very clean campground. The way I look at it is it's a good place to stop between the Bay Area and other parts to the east like Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Zion, or points north up 395 like Mono Lake, backside of Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes area, etc. And getting to there from the Bay Area is only about 5 to 5.5 hours, a good day without having to push it, which when it comes to road trips, I don't like pushing it.
And following the rains we had recently, the Kern River is absolutely flowing like crazy! I don't think I've ever seen it so high. It is definitely cleaning itself out as the water was very turbid, almost looking like glacial silt water.
Overall, a good little day trip -- I was visiting in Bakersfield -- just a bit over 200 miles for the day. Relaxing!
At any rate, here are a couple videos I shot, one of Red Rock Canyon campground and the other of the Kern River.
and
