Kernville Rock (a.k.a. Kern Slabs)
Near Inyokern
Photo: Mike Guy, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 27 routes
- 5.5 – 5.12-
- Sport · Trad · Mixed
Is Kernville Rock (a.k.a. Kern Slabs) open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Sequoia National Forest. It doesn't name Kernville Rock (a.k.a. Kern Slabs), so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Tule River Glass Container Prohibition Area
Agency closure covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-02 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
Trail of 100 Giants Boardwalk and Area Closure
Agency closure covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-03 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
Fire Restrictions - Sequoia National Forest
Agency alert covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-00-26-07 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
PUBLIC NUDITY PROHIBITION - Sequoia National Forest
Agency alert covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-06 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
Chico Flat Dispersed Camping Area Prohibition 26-27
Agency alert covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-09 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Sequoia National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit Kernville Rock (a.k.a. Kern Slabs)
Best months: February–May and October–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
61° / 31°
7 wet
Feb
63° / 33°
7 wet
Mar
67° / 36°
7 wet
Apr
72° / 40°
4 wet
May
80° / 48°
2 wet
Jun
91° / 56°
1 wet
Jul
99° / 63°
1 wet
Aug
98° / 62°
1 wet
Sep
92° / 56°
1 wet
Oct
81° / 46°
2 wet
Nov
69° / 36°
3 wet
Dec
60° / 31°
6 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Kern River Ph 3, CA, 2.4 mi away at 2,703 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Kernville Rock, also known as Kern Slabs, is a climbing area in California's Sequoia National Forest, within the Kern River Ranger District, on Forest Service land. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to climb here. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run about 72°F highs and 40°F lows in April and about 81°F highs in October, while July highs average close to 99°F. That station sits a few hundred feet below the rock. Camp 3 is about 0.4 miles away for an overnight base. The Nowhere Man, New Directions and Rusty Nail Area climbing spots are all about half a mile off.
Routes (27)
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