On the Trail - Jordan Hot Springs, Falls of the Kern, CA
August, 1978
Kennedy Meadows
| The trip begins by driving north on US 395 from Los Angeles, and turning west on the road to Kennedy Meadows north of Pearsonville. |
Kennedy Meadows
| Driving past Kennedy Meadows, the road passes Little Troy Meadow. Turning north near the Blackrock Ranger Station, the road ends at Blackrock Gap where there is parking. |
Casa Vieja Meadows
| Hiking north about 1.5 miles brings one to Casa Vieja Meadows. |
Casa Vieja Meadows
Casa Vieja Meadows
| The valley is rich with wild flowers and their attendant butterflies. |
The Hydaspe Fritillary (Speyeria h. hydaspe), Casa Vieja Meadows, Aug. 12, 1978
The Sierra Nevada Crescent (Phyciodes orseis herlani), Casa Vieja Meadows, Aug. 12, 1978
Boisduval's Blue (Plebejus i. icarioides), Casa Vieja Meadows, Aug. 12, 1978
Beer Keg Meadows
| Following the trail to the northeast, we arrive at Beer Keg Meadow where a herd of cattle expressed its annoyance at my presence by bellowing loudly. I camped near here the first night. |
Unnamed Meadow
| Following the trail to the northwest, we pass an unnamed meadow off to the west. |
Redrock Meadows
| The trail soons takes us to Redrock Meadows with Indian Head (elev. 8965 ft.) in the distance. |
Old Cabin at Redrock Meadows
Looking to the Southwest
| The trail now swings to the southwest, giving us a view toward the Kern River Canyon. |
A Grouse
Mariposa Lily
Approaching Jordan Hot Springs
| Later in the day I arrived at Jordan Hot Springs. |
The Baths at Jordan Hot Springs
| A hot soak in a private tub was very welcome. |
A Nearby Campsite
| I spent the next night at this nearby campsite. |
Nine-mile Creek
| The trail continues west, following Nine-mile Creek. |
The Crossing of Nine-mile Creek
| Here the trail makes a dangerous but convenient crossing of Nine-mile Creek on a downed tree trunk. |
Waterfall on Nine-mile Creek
| Close to its convergence with the Kern River, we encounter Nine-mile Creek Falls. |
Waterfall on Nine-mile Creek
The Kern River
| After climbing over a rocky promontory, we arrive at the Kern River. We are now very close to the Falls of the Kern. |
Falls of the Kern
Falls of the Kern
| The falls are a dramatic sight. The air is alive with the roar and the ground vibrates. |
Falls of the Kern
Interesting Formation - West Side of the Kern River
Slippery Spot Above the Falls - Danger!
| I tried without luck to catch some trout here. While casting, I looked down and saw that I had inadvertantly placed one foot on the wet rock. A slip into the river here would take one over the falls. |
Campsite Along the Kern
| Further up the river is a campsite. While eating my trout dinner I had to compete with several hungry yellowjackets. |
Soda Spring (on the way back)
| On the way out, up Nine-mile Creek, we again pass Soda Flat. I camped near Jordan Hot Springs again, and the next day took a shortcut to Casa Vieja Meadows, and the trail to my parked car. |