Thunder Canyon (California Sierras)

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.

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.

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

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.