Little Kern Bridge

The Little Kern River Bridge was built in 1957 and is still being maintained by the USDA Forest Service. Day hikes and over night hikes to this area are common for those wanting to fish the area for Golden Trout. The bridge is also built to handle equestrian use, which visitors are likely to see while visiting the area. There are two routes to consider when doing a day hike to the  Little Kern Bridge. One is from Lewis Camp Trailhead and the other is from the Jerkey Trailhead.

Download the map! -> Lewis Camp to Little Kern River Bridge

Lewis Camp Trailhead is located near the Golden Trout Pack Station at approximately 7,695 feet elevation. The trail heads downhill for approximately 4.1 and arrives at the Little Kern Bridge. Approximately 1.3 miles down from the Lewis Camp the trail intersects another trail. Left goes to Grey Meadow and right goes to Jerkey Trailhead. Proceed straight and within a mile the trail intersects Jug Spring. Another mile later the main trail goes north (left). Users can continue to go straight but the trail is no long maintained. Both paths lead to the Little Kern Bridge, so it is up to the user. Sticking with the main path, the trail will intersect a couple of other smaller “cutoffs.” Proceed right at all junctions and the trail will end up at the Little Kern Bridge.

Download the map! -> Jerkey Trailhead to LIttle Kern River Bridge

Jerkey Trailhead starts and the end of the “Lloyd Meadows Road” (Forest Service road 22S82) at 5,930 feet elevation. Between the two routes, this is the longer one by 1.9 mile (5.9 miles one way). There is a parking and overnight camping. From the parking lot the trail heads in a north to northwest direction for approximately 3.1 miles. The trail is all uphill and is part of a historical livestock drive. Once at the top of the ridge, the trail intersects with the Lewis Camp trail. Take a right to get to the Little Kern River Bridge. Approximately a mile downhill the trail intersects Jug Spring. Another mile later the main trail goes north (left). Users can continue to go straight but the trail is no long maintained. Both paths lead to the Little Kern Bridge, so it is up to the user. Sticking with the main path, the trail will intersect a couple of other smaller “cutoffs.” Proceed right at all junctions and the trail will end up at the Little Kern Bridge.