Lickety-Split - Lickety-Blaster - Half-Day
I.K. - One-Day Combo
Upper Kern and The Forks - Lower
Kern - Pricing & Reservations
(Prices listed below do not include 5% Government/Land use
fees.)
Minimum Age/Wt: 6Yrs/50Lbs
- Price: Youth (12 & under) $28 Adults: $31
Trip Pricing & Reservations - For
More Information
  Lickety-Split
at Ewings Rapid
Our world-famous Lickety-Split and Lickety-Blaster
raft trips are far and away the two most popular and most
affordable Class 2-3 whitewater rafting runs available on the
Kern River. Both are full of enough excitement to challenge
just about everyone from young tikes to grandmas and grandpas.
Before your river trip, a Sierra South professional river
guide will provide you with a trip overview, paddling gear
and a paddle talk. Then it's anchors away for three miles
of jam-packed action on Kern River rapids such as Big Daddy,
Sidewinder, Freight Train , and Ewings. Trips start in late
March and run through September.
Minimum Age/Wt: 6Yrs/50Lbs
- Price: Youth (12 & under) $43 Adults: $51
Trip Pricing & Reservations - For
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If you're itchin' for a longer Kern River whitewater
escapade that won't swamp your wallet, try our Lickety- Blaster.
First, "get your feet wet" on a Lickety-Split run. Then,
head back up river once more to put your newly honed whitewater
skills to the test. On your second run, you and your guide
may try to navigate some of the more difficult lines through
the bigger Kern River rapids. The Maytag Wave at Big Daddy
and the Rock Slot about Ewings are just two of our favorite
spots to "visit" on the second run.
Minimum Age: 11Yrs. - Price: Youth (13 & under)
$64 Adults: $69 - Trip Length: 3 hrs.
Trip Pricing & Reservations - For
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If you are looking for an "up close and personal" Kern River
whitewater experience, try captaining your very own inflatable
kayak. Our sit-on-top two-person I.K.s are comfortable to ride
in and an absolute gas to paddle! Let us show you how to paddle
your own I.K. and then lead you down the Class
2-3 water of the Lickety Split run. By mastering the basic
paddling skills taught by your ever encouraging Sierra South
river guide, most people should be able to navigate their own
I.K. down the roarin' rapids of the Kern River with style.
Our I.K. adventures run twice daily. The price includes two-person
I.K.s, paddles, lifejackets, and helmets. Wetsuits are required
in the spring and may be rented at the Sierra
South Outfitter's store. We usually make two runs on the
Powerhouse run. Please call for daily times.
Minimum Age: 11Yrs - Price: Youth (13 & under)
$102 Adults: $112 - Trip Length: 6-7 hrs.
Trip Pricing & Reservations - For
More Information
How about a whole day of whitewater fun? Try the best of both
worlds! Come rafting and inflatable kayaking all in one day.
Enjoy a half-day in the 2-person inflatable kayaks and the
other half as a bigger group in a raft. Lunch is on us between
the runs. This trip is especially popular with Scout troops,
YMCA Parent/child programs, church groups, company outings,
and family & friends. Whitewater Merit Badges are available
to earn for those scouts who qualify. Wetsuits are required
in the spring and may be rented at Sierra
South Outfitter's store.
Trip Pricing & Reservations - For
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Sierra South is proud to offer
its very own Upper Kern and Forks of the Kern trips this season.
The Wild & Scenic
Upper Kern is a spring runoff river offering a variety of sensational
whitewater over a 20 mile section just north of Kernville.
More difficult than the Lickety Split run, the Upper Kern offers
fantastic 1/2 Day and 1 Day Class
III-IV rafting trips daily
from late March through August depending on snowpack. With
easy road access along the entire stretch of the Upper Kern,
we pick and choose the best sections of the river to run that
day to maximize our fun. For a short time during the
spring, we also offer the fantastic 1 Day Class
V Thunder Run
for the more adventurous. All Thunder Run participants must
be physically fit, good swimmers, and have previous Class
IV experience. Group size is limited
to 25 people on all Upper Kern Trips, so book early for your
date. 1/2 day trips do not include lunch. A Class
V Paddler’s Evaluation is required prior to running Class
V water. Wetsuits are required for any Class
V trip and may be rented at Sierra
South’s Outfitters Store.
Running high in the Sierra from its source near Mt. Whitney
is the Forks of the Kern, the most difficult run we offer.
A 2 or 3-day Forks of the Kern run is considered one of the
premier wilderness whitewater trips in the USA. This trip offers
continuous Class IV-V whitewater
and spectacular scenery for 17 miles. All Forks of the Kern
participants must be physically fit, good swimmers, and have
previous Class
IV experience. A Class
V Paddler’s
Evaluation is required prior to running
Class V water. Wetsuits
are required for any Class
V trip and
may be rented at Sierra South’s Outfitters
Store. Please download
our Forks of the Kern Float Notes for additional information.
1/2-Day Upper Kern, 1-Day Upper Kern,
Class 5 Upper Kern, 2-Day Forks, and 3-Day Forks trips are
available. Please see Trip Pricing for details.
Trip Pricing & Reservations - For
More Information
The ultimate in overnight trips, the Lower Kern is a dam-released
section flowing out of beautiful Isabella Lake. After capturing
the spring runoff of the boisterous Upper Kern River, water
is released on the Lower Kern all summer providing steady warm
flow in this steep, granite-walled, secluded canyon. Hot summer
day's, quiet pools, punctuated by demanding Class
3-4 rapids make this the most popular 2-day overnight river
trip in Southern California. 1 Day Lower Kern trips are available
when 2 Day trips are not completely booked. 1 Day trips may
be booked for the first day (Class 3), or second day (Class
4), of a 2 day trip. Call Reservations to check availability,
or for more information.
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New Rafting Trips!
In 2007 we expanded our operations to provide
commercial outfitter and guide services on the
Forks of the Kern and additional sections of the
Upper Kern River. This means more exciting rafting
trips for your paddling pleasure!
Float
Notes
Raft Trip Essentials
Before your rafting adventure,
stock up on Rafting
Essentials like sunscreen,
eyewear retainers, waterproof camers and water
shoes. After a great day on the river, come back
by the Sierra South Store for souvenirs, tee
shirts, snacks and drinks.
Reservation Information
To make reservations, please
use our Reservation Request
Form, or call us at 1-800-457-2082,
Monday-Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm. A 50% deposit must
be received within 7 days after you make your reservation.
The balance is due 30 days prior to your trip/class
date. Reservations made less than 30 days before
your trip require immediate payment in full. See Making
Reservations for details.
Rental Information
We offer a complete line
of paddlesports equipment for rent, including wetsuits
and booties. Please consult out Rental
Info page for rates and rental policies. Rental
reservations should be made as early as possible.
Many early season weekends will "sell out."
Group Discounts
Group discounts can be earned
for most of our trips. We are sorry, but group discounts
are not available on Saturday starts or Holidays.
To qualify for group discounts you must meet the
minimum group numbers, pay your deposit and final
payment with one check or credit card, and pay by
the required dates, or revert to normal rates. For
any confirmed Class III Lickety Split, Lickety Blaster,
Lickety Inflatable Kayak, or Lickety Combo reservation
of 15 people, one goes free. With a confirmed reservation
of 25-34, 2 go free, and 35+ 3 go free. On our Upper
Kern trips, any group of 12 or more qualifies for
a 15% discount any day except Saturdays or Holidays.
Charter a full group of 15 guests on the Forks of
the Kern and one goes free, except Saturdays or Holiday
starts. For any confirmed Kayak or Climbing class
of 10 (full charter) one goes free. NOTE: School
programs are already group discounted and do not
qualify for any of the above discounts.
Cancellations
You may cancel 45 or more
days before your Sierra South trip date and receive
a full refund less a $25 processing fee per person.
Cancellations made 44 days or less before trip date
are non-refundable. If you must cancel , try to find
a friend to take your space. All trips go rain or
shine. However, we reserve the right to cancel a
trip due to water conditions or insufficient reservations,
in which case, only your trip fees are refundable.
Refunds cannot be granted by guides and must be approved
by our main office. No refunds will be given if you
are injured, sick, or leave a trip or class early
for any other reason. Sierra South is not liable
for other costs incurred in association with a cancelled
trip. We suggest trip insurance such as www.travelguard.com
to cover any unexpected situations.
Responsibility
and Liability
All Sierra South trips and classes involve physical
activity and include certain elements of risk.
We make every effort to run trips and classes in
the finest, most fun-filled manner as possible.
However, we cannot guarantee your safety. It is
your responsibility to evaluate your level of fitness
and to select a trip or class which is appropriate
for you. Seek medical advice before your trip if
you question your physical condition. It is your
responsibility to follow our instructions. Everyone
will be required to sign a release of liability/assumption
of risk form and photography/video waiver form
before departure. Minors under 18 not accompanied
by their parents must bring to the river a release
form signed by
their parent or legal guardian. Click
here to download the Release Form. ( PDF) |
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![[Inflatable Kayak]](images/ik02.jpg)
![[RAFTING]](images/raft03.jpg)
