Kern River & Lake Isabella

Heading northeasterly from where we are staying, Highway 178 follows the dry Kern River's course from alongside of us at our RV park back 165 miles toward its source in the Sierra Nevada Mountains-the only river in this mountain range that follows a southerly course from its source. Snowmelt near Mount Whitney creates this river that flows along an earthquake fault through the Kern Canyon.

Beyond Bakersfield an arid area exists along Highway 178 interrupted by a valley that stands out as starkly green between the surrounding mountains. The valley is planted with olive and orange trees using a portion of the water diverted from the river. Here too are new developments of residential areas including one for "active adults" by the builder K. Hovnanian Homes called "Four Seasons" for ages 55 and up.

We have learned that the river's water is diverted entirely for agriculture for most of the year and hence that is why there is little left to flow sporadically behind our park. In fact the water has been diverted in this way since the late 19th century and one can see huge pipes in the canyon used for that purpose. The owner shared with us that while they were building the RV park for two years the river did flow behind us until the drought took a firm hold. Now it flows only periodically (and sometimes unexpectedly) when it is not being diverted to the agricultural fields. Once guests from the RV park who had crossed the dry river bed to the park on the other side for a picnic, were caught in the park when the river unexpectedly began flowing. Luckily they had a couple of cars that had transported coolers to the park available to bring people back to this side of the river! 

 As we climbed into the scenic Kern Canyon that defines the river's course, there is finally water visible in the river and we see signs about river rafting and kayaking. We have entered the Sequoia National Park but the sequoias are miles ahead of us. We are heading to Lake Isabella. Here we will see three parks and then return a week later to see four more. The dam at Lake Isabella has been plagued by repair issues, leading to a lowering of the lake it created and dry land now dominates what used to be lakefront views.

Sunday we will go back and see what the other side of the lake looks like back up through the rugged canyon and along the winding road that Highway 178 becomes in Kern Canyon.  It is not a place we will ever take "Puff -the Magic Green RV" and to that both Jim and I can attest!