Had a SPECTACULAR trip down the South Fork Kings River yesterday... very remote... no trails or signs of anyone. I doubt this area is visited very often. Very rugged and wild, miles from any trail in any direction. Took me 5 hours to go 6 miles, and I was pushing pretty hard! I took the route thinking it was a quick way back to Roads End. It was NOT! Big mistake going there, very strenuous. Still glad I did it.
At least 50% of the time I was simply walking right in the river. Sometimes because I thought it was faster, and sometimes because there was absolutely no other option. The brush was wicked.
View looking up the river, from within it...
- SFKR
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Area where using the river was the only way
- SFKR2
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Another view of the canyon
- SFKR3
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Clear water in the pools. I was never thirsty.
- Pools
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Bushwacking near the end.
- Bushwacking
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While I was on my way out... I saw FIVE seperate bears. Never encountered anything like that before. First bear was as I was bushwacking, and I had seen what I assumed was bear tracks through the grass. Couldn't figure what other animal would lay down the grass as it was. Rounded a corner and startled one 20 feet away. We both jumped and he took off like a rocket. Second bear was at a distance across the canyon and never saw me. Third bear was right off the trail and looking for food, he walked within 40 feet of me but totally ignored me. Fourth was down by the lower portion of Kings River as it was getting dark, and fifth was in the parking lot at the trailhead.
Shot of the second bear across the canyon.
- 2nd Bear
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And two pics of the third bear going about his activities.
- 3rd Bear
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- 3rd bear again
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