Thunder Canyon (California Sierras)
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| | Difficulty:2B I (v1a2 I) Raps:4, max ↨120ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Watercraft:Yes Rock type:sedimentary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 26 Jan 2026
"The flows on the Kern were very low so there was not current at the pool used to cross. We shuttled people and gear with a inflatable paddle board. T |
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| Best season: | March to October
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35.8518, -118.4550
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WaterflowIntroduction
Short beginner-friendly canyon in the Kern drainage. Perfect short-day option. Approach can range from a quick swim access or a medium spicy kayak crossing of the Kern River.
Approach
Park in small turnouts on the side of the road.
From parking, scope out the Kern River flow to determine if a swim is safe vs crossing in kayak. Kern river flows can be found at: https://www.dreamflows.com/graphs/day.682.php
This is the "diverted" section of the upper Kern River. At most times, SCE will divert up to 600 CFS from this section. At lower flows, they will leave a "fish flow" of around 50 CFS.
We crossed at very high flow (6500 cfs on 4/26/23) which required kayaks. There is a nice eddy on each side even at these high flows. At high flow setting safety is recommended.
This is a popular swimming hole and can be pool with mild currents are low flows (under 200cfs). Because this crossing is in the diverted section, crossing is generally easier than the river crossing at the Kern River when leaving the Seven Teacups.
Upon making it to the western river bank, stash your boats behind the bushes and start hiking looker's right (north) of the canyon. There is a faint trail along the river. When possible leave the trail and climb up hillside and traverse into the canyon just below the prominent rock band, this will lead right to the scramble above R1. It is also possible to hike above the rock band and then drop into the canyon above the scramble down to R1.
Descent
R0 (optional): off a bush canyon right. Otherwise it is uncomplicated downclimb 20 feet
R1: 75 feet from bolts DCR
R2: 35 feet from bolts center/left canyon. You will then encounter 30 foot drop which can be downclimbed to left
R3: 120 feet from bolts DCL. The LAMAR should first move the knot over the lip and then rappel in order to make pull easier
R4: 30 feet from webbing on 12" tree DCR
Exit
If you approached in kayaks, for the exit you will likely want to put in 200 feet north. This is just downstream from the class 2 rapid.
Red tape
None
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
https://www.facebook.com/GenoHacker/videos/1903712466654035/
Background
The first descent was on 4/9/23 by Geno Hacker, Kristin Hacker and their 3 kids. Natural anchors were used. The second decent was on 4/26/23 by Geno Hacker and Nick Reiter. 3 bolted anchors were installed making the quality of the raps much better.