We are the only Ashland rafting company that offers Photo CDs of your trip.

All of our Ashland-based rafting trips meet at our Rafting Center.

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130 A Street #2B
Ashland, OR 97520

the Forks of the Kern

For the true adventurer, the Forks of the Kern in Southern California may be the ultimate river trip. Any trip down the Forks of the Kern (which is simply dubbed "The Forks") is a special and rare occurance. From wild whitewater to a beautiful canyon, from amazing side hikes that lead to towering waterfalls to the final plunge at Carson Falls; this trip packs a punch unrivaled by any river in the west.

Peppermint Falls A trip down the Forks has long been a rite of passage for seasoned river runners and it has only been relatively recent that commercial trips have been offered on this amazing stretch of river. Still, despite its prestige and ranking as one of the top river trips in the world, the Forks is seldom seen outside of the circle of guides that call the Kern River home.

The reasons are simple and to the point: It's a damn tough river to run, it's not for everyone, and the price is high due to a few uncommon logistics.

Even Outside Magazine agrees, the Forks has some big whitewater: "The serious heart in throat moments come mid-run at the back-to-back Class V Vortex/Gauntlet doubleheader: a ten-foot slide followed by unscoutable drops that roll on for a seeming eternity."

Mules on the Forks of the Kern
Mules: part of the the Forks experience.

The put-in for the Forks is buried two miles deep within the Golden Trout Wilderness Area. This means all equipment must be packed in. Fortunately, mules have turned this impossible task into a possibility. Our boats, frames, and coolers are slung over the top of these burly animals and hauled down to the river. What doesn't get carried down by mule is carried by us. The trail is downhill the entire way and there are many places to stop and take a breather. Once down to the river boats are blown up and we transform into "river time".

Whitewater on the Forks of the Kern
Classic whitewater on the Forks.

Whitewater on the Forks is fun and big. Countless class IV rapids are punctuated with class V drops. Rapids with names like Big Bean, Lower Freeman, Confusion, Vortex, and Carson Falls have kept many guides from a goodnights sleep the day prior. The boats used on the Forks are paddle boats and oar boats with paddle assist. Participants are expected to paddle and be part of the team. Due to the remoteness of the area and the difficulty of the whitewater, we expect all participants to have prior rafting experience, to be in a good shape, and to partake in a swim test prior to the trip.

We use Kern River Outfitters to run these trips. They have developed a reputation for having the best guides, equipment, and great knowledge of the area.

Although some outfitters offer two-day Forks trips, in our opinion that best way to see this beautiful stretch of river is in three days. This allows you to stop for side hikes, which are phenomenal, and to truly appreciate the river canyon. Three day trips are $898.00. Call us at 541-203-0222 for more information or to book your trip.

Class V, Big Bean, Forks of the Kern
Big Bean, Class V, on the Forks of the Kern.