Kern Flat Trail

Kern Flat Trail (33E20) is a long-distance backcountry route in the Sequoia National Forest / Golden Trout Wilderness area. It’s rugged and runs along the Kern River corridor, with the target destination a large grassy meadow called Kern Flat near the river.

The route typically works as an out-and-back or partial out-and-back: it’s about 6 to 7 miles one-way depending on the exact start and whether you continue farther toward Big Kern Bridge. One-way distance plus the return makes it a serious day hike or a multi-day backpacking trip.

Expect steep difficulty early. The trail drops immediately into the canyon, setting up a steep and demanding climb on the way back toward the Kern River trailhead area.

Trail access starts from the Forks of the Kern Trailhead (33E20). Getting there is done via Lloyd Meadow Road (Forest Road 22S82), then dirt road 20S67 to the Forks of the Kern trailhead; the trail begins by descending directly toward the Kern River.

Water logistics center on the Little Kern River crossing: there is no bridge crossing the Little Kern, and extreme caution is required. It should not be attempted during spring snow runoff, and timing matters if flows are high.

Overnight use is tied to wilderness rules. A Golden Trout Wilderness Pass is required for overnight stays within the wilderness boundary, and a Golden Trout Wilderness Permit applies for overnight camping; campfires may be restricted depending on fire danger. The area is also where bear-resistant food storage is emphasized for minimizing bear/human conflicts.

Within the corridor, the trail stays on the west bank of the Kern River for several miles to Kern Flat, then crosses the Big Kern River on a bridge about 1.5 miles above Kern Flat. From Kern Flat it continues on into the Cannell Meadow District of the Sequoia National Forest, so longer through-hikes are possible.

Because this is wilderness hiking, be ready for route roughness and disruptions. The trail can have washouts, downed trees, and sections that intermittently disappear, so routefinding skill and conservative decisions matter if conditions are off. Seventy miles?—No: plan your mileage around the Kern Flat destination and your turn-around point at the scales above (roughly 6–7 miles one-way for common goals).

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