Introduction:
What? :
These series of waterfalls are located along Dry Meadow Creek, just above its confluence with the Kern River. Here the creek cascades through exposed granite rocks, where the stream of the creek flows from one “teacup-shaped” pool to the next one.
The entire sequence of waterfalls and pools stretches over several hundred feet in the deep canyon, creating a unique view.
The hike from the road trailhead is about 4.5 miles long with a total of 880 ft of elevation gain. The trail itself is easy but involves creek crossing at the end and also steep exposed rock sections near the waterfalls.
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Where? :
The trailhead is located on Mountain Highway 99 in the southern section of the Sierra mountains, 20.5 miles north of Kernville.
From Bakersfield: Drive north east on highway 178 until you will reach Lake Isabella. From here keep driving north on highway 155 to Kernville. Keep driving north on Sierra way.
From Kernville you need to drive up north for 19 miles and you will cross the Kern River over a new bridge, from here the road climbs the mountain, drive from the bridge 1.5 mile and you will see the trailhead on your right. There is larger roadside parking on the left.
From the west side of the Sierra you need to climb to the south Sierra mountains using highway M56/M50 or highway 90 (M90), both are joined into M50 in the direction of Johnsondale.
This road is closed during the winter months after the first major snow storms.
When? :
The trail area is open year-round.
The best time to come is during fall or spring.
Although in relatively low elevation winter can bring snow.
Summer is very hot.
I recommend coming here early in the morning or even better late in the afternoon.
Warning:
The creek has strong currents, slippery rocks, and technical drops.
You can get to a pool but can’t climb out.
Several fatal incidents have occurred here.
My strong recommendation: do not get into the water, especially if you are hiking alone.
Due note 1:
Water: as you hike to the creek water sources become abundant, you need to filter the water before drinking them.
Due note 2:
Most sections of the trail are exposed to the sun. Bring a hat, sunglasses and use sun protection.
Even during the warm summer months, come prepared for changing weather and have warm clothes with you.
Depending on the season mainly during early summer mosquitoes might be a problem, bring a face net and repellent.
No cell phone reception along the hike, download in advance offline maps.
Due note 3:
You can find vault toilets at the Kern River crossing parking lot.
Due note 4:
This is a popular trail so it can be crowded.
Due note 5:
No permit required for Day use hike.
Due note 6:
For overnight camping look for locations in the Sequoia National Forest and along the Kern River downstream.
Due note 7:
In my hike description I will not provide any information on canyoneering the Seven Teacups waterfalls all the way down to Kern River. I did not do this and it needs to be done by people that know what they are doing and have the right water and cliff repelling equipment.
My thoughts:
This was the third time I visited this area but the first time actually hiking to the waterfalls.
The first time it was just too late to do the hike, the next time I hiked along the Kern river from the bridge all the way to the confluence but you can’t see any waterfall from there.
This time I spent the night not so far from the trailhead. I woke up early and drove to the trailhead right after sunrise and started hiking very early.
Because I started early I was the only one here and I only saw a group of other hikers just before I finished mine.
The hike is not so challenging but in the middle of a summer day it can be very hot.
The view of the seven pools and waterfalls is indeed unique.
The Hike:
These waterfalls are located along Dry Meadow Creek, just above its confluence with the Kern River.
From the trailhead the trail starts with a steep climb up the ridgeline, this is not so long but relatively steep.
After about 0.6 miles you will reach the hilltop and from here the vast views of dry creek and the mountains on the other side are open up.
From here it is downhill all the way to the creek.
You will start ascending and after 0.3 miles from the hill top you will reach the dry creek and start to follow it on its north side.
After 1.7 miles from the TH you will reach a creek crossing, here you have running water. This area has a lot of vegetation and there are several trails.
I saw a log over the creek span over two rocks in a narrow section but unfortunately the log was unstable and I fell down into the water when trying to cross it.
There is a much better location to cross the stream, this is 20-40 ft to the left, there is a wide but shallow section of the stream without any rock and it is easy to cross here.
From here the trail is not so clear so look for footprints and trail marks.
You need to climb up over the rocks away from the creek. There is a trail following the creek from above, once you are on it it is simpler to follow.
Keep following the creek from above and after a short hike you will reach the start of the seven teacup section.
There are small waterfalls that keep progressing as the canyon bends to the right.
The view of the creek is unique.
The water curved a narrow deep canyon into the granite rocks. Here the water created natural small round pools carved into the rock and after each small pool there is a waterfall to the next one. From this view is the name “Seven Teacups Waterfall”.
In order to get to the lower section you need to climb up the rocks and find your way down to the direction of the downstream waterfalls.
When I was here there was a long rope helping to walk down on the smooth rock surface.
There are two relatively tall waterfalls at the lower canyon section. It was a nice place to rest on the rock near the water and enjoy the waterfall views.
This was my farther point on the hike, I did not manage to see any safe path to the lower section.
From the narrow canyon keep falling down in the direction of Keren river.
After some rest I started my climb up to the trail above the canyon and to the creek crossing point. From there it was a simple climb up the hill and down to my car.
Overall, I hiked for 4.5 miles with a total of 880 ft of elevation gain and together with a lot of rest it took me about 2.5 hours to complete.
What a fun hike and unique waterfalls.
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