Valerie Cassity
Special to the Sun

Living in the Kern Valley, every year we hear about the unfortunate people who perish in the lower Kern.

As a result, I had never taken advantage of the wonderful recreational opportunities offered here that people travel from all over the world to enjoy. I decided it was time to conquer my fear and try rafting the lower Kern, and was very excited to get that opportunity from Mountain and River Adventures (MRA).

Valerie Cassity, second from the rear, paddles through the rapids of the lower Kern River with Mountain & River Adventures.

I arrived at the MRA campground in Riverkern at 8 a.m. last Aug.12, a little apprehensive but very excited. I was even more excited when I got there to see that my neighbor, Tom Peltier, was to be my guide. I immediately felt more relaxed, knowing that someone who had been guiding the Kern River for nearly 20 years would be in charge of my safety.

Before we left the campground, Tom and his fellow guides fitted the entire group in life jackets and helmets and gave everyone a very thorough safety talk, which he made fun and amusing while ensuring that we knew how serious the subject matter was. There were four boats going out on the trip, mostly filled with European tourists and families enjoying a summer trip before school began.

We boarded the bus and rode to Hobo Campground, where we unloaded the rafts and were given another thorough safety talk and basic rafting lesson, and then we were in the water and floating the Kern. In my raft were a father and daughter from Buffalo, N.Y., a young Irish woman on leave from the Royal Air Force, and a man from England on leave from the British Army military intelligence unit.

The trip that I was on had rapids from class I-IV, and as we approached the first big class IV rapid, “White Maiden,” I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, and that fear of the lower Kern surfacing. When we made it through the rapid, still in the boat, I relaxed a bit and let some of the apprehension go. We made it through the second class IV rapid, the “Powerful Possum,” and I thought I just might make it through the trip without falling out. Then we went to the “Surf Hole.” I watched the first three boats paddle back up to the spot and “surf” the rapid, and thought it looked fun. But, as soon as we hit it our boat flipped up and everyone except Tom was thrown into the water. It was truly frightening, but I remembered the very clear instructions that Tom had given us before we started, and put my feet downstream, timed my breathing to the rapids, and got to the first boat I could, where a very nice British man pulled me in. I was able to return the favor later in the day when everyone but me was tipped out of the boat and I was the one fishing people out of the water.

As we floated down the river, Tom took the time to talk about local history, flora and fauna, and explain the various structures along the river. As we went by Remington Hot Springs, we noted how beautifully pristine they were, and commended the volunteers who work to keep the special place clean and well maintained. Ironically, when we later passed the privately-owned Delonaga Hot Springs, we noticed how badly cared for they are; a disgrace that mars the river’s beauty.

There was only one portion of the river that we did not raft; a class V rapid called the “Royal Flush,” which all of the companies portage around very efficiently. (Portage refers to the practice of carrying watercraft or cargo over land to avoid river obstacles, or between two bodies of water.)

Carrying the rafts along the trail around the rapid, we were able to look down and see why. We stopped for lunch at noon, and the four guides set to work putting out a feast of fruits and vegetables, chips, and a sandwich-building bar allowing us to stretch our legs, chat, and explore. After filling our bellies with great food, everyone got quiet and sluggish, so soon after when we reached the “swimming hole,” nearly everyone took advantage of the opportunity to jump out of the boat and float, swimming the class I rapid, which was a blast!

There are five class IV rapids in the afternoon, and after having gotten through a number of them before lunch, I started to become more comfortable and really enjoy them. I laughed when, as we approached one rapid, Tom told us that it was called “Eat Rocks and Bleed,” and as we got through it I remarked that it was the calmest of all of them we had been through. The last rapid, “Pinball,” is the most harrowing of all, but a lot of fun, and gave a lasting impression of the power of the mighty Kern.

The lower Kern rafting trip was a truly spectacular experience, and one I will repeat as often as possible. It is interesting to note that I felt safer and more comfortable on this trip than I did on the Lickety Split, as Tom was more experienced and it was evident that he knew the river intimately and so was able to navigate it with confidence.

I highly recommend that everyone in the Kern Valley who is able, go and try this world-class recreational opportunity. Be sure to wear sunscreen, sunglasses with croakies, a hat, good river shoes (I wore my Chacos and they worked perfectly), and something you don’t mind getting wet in. We are lucky enough to live in this beautiful paradise; take advantage of it!

A huge thank you to John and Rhonda Stallone of MRA, as well as Tom Peltier for making the experience such a great and unforgettable one. I can’t wait to get back on the river!

If you are interested in trying rafting on the lower Kern, MRA is offering a 15 percent discount on mid-week one- or two-day Lower Kern trips to local residents who mention this article. Get out there and do it! You won’t regret it!