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Southern Sierra - The Needles, Kern River, Domelands, etc.
California
> Southern-Western Sierra
Description
The upper Kern River Valley, in Sequoia National Forest, is a true outdoor paradise. The area is home to outstanding white water kayaking, fishing, mountain biking and hiking. Natural wonders include the "Grand Canyon of the Kern River" (a scenic waterway cut by the mighty Kern), the southern-most stand of old-growth Giant Sequoias and countless waterfalls, natural water slides, and plunge pools.
AND THEN THERE'S THE CLIMBING.
The area is home to the world famous Needles and several other truly outstanding formations, including Dome Rock and Elephant Knob. It has been said that the Needles themselves are home to the highest density of classic routes anywhere. This is not an overstatement. The overshadowed lesser formations are worthwhile destinations in their own right and should not be overlooked.
Getting There
The Kern River Valley is quite large, so for directions see the description for the specific sub-area you wish to visit
[Hide Photo] The old fire lookout. It burned down a few years ago apparently from a kitchen fire. It was demolished the next season -presumably by the crushing forces of irony.
[Hide Photo] Josh and I standing atop the Charlatan, photo taken by Margi (she works in the lookout)through the telescope on the lookout.
[Hide Photo] Horned Lizard--another of the extraordinary creatures who make the Upper Kern River Valley home.
[Hide Photo] Black Bears are a common sight throughout the Kern River Valley. Proper food storage is a must.
[Hide Photo] The Upper Kern River Valley is home to the southern-most stand of old-growth giant sequoias, making the Trail of a Hundred Giants an excellent rest-day activity.
[Hide Photo] The Needles, pictured from the summit of dome rock.
[Hide Photo] Dome Rock and the Needles...They don't look quite as intimidating from this angle.
[Hide Comment] Elephant Knob is not worth the hike, for those who are considering it. The cliff got burnt up in a wildfire a few years back and it is DONE. Started up a couple of the "classics" but it's all kitty litter rock now and the hardware has been cooked and isn't trustworthy either.
Oct 14, 2011
[Hide Comment] A new guidebook (June 2016) is available for Kern Slabs and New Directions Cliffs at kernvalleyclimbs.com featuring approximately 100 climbs
Jun 19, 2016
[Hide Comment] Mountain Project will always be a work in progress. There is so much missing route info as well as questionable info on established routes that few or no repeats. Instead of spending time I don't have righty now, I will at least post a link to the original Kern Guide. At some point I will most likely upload it as a resource so history doesn't get changed or forgotten!
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amazon.com/Stonemasher-Rock…
cheers, ec Nov 12, 2022