Kernville · US

Packsaddle Trail

Packsaddle Trail (route number 33E34) threads through the Sequoia National Forest along the Upper Kern River, about 15–16 miles north of Kernville on California's scenic Mountain Highway 99. Maintained by the Kern River Ranger District, the trail climbs out of the hot river canyon, drops to a flowing creek dotted with bedrock water slides, and finishes at a cool limestone cavern—Packsaddle Cave—that makes the whole uphill effort worthwhile. Most hikers use the Packsaddle-Cave route as an out-and-back day hike of roughly five miles round trip, gaining around 1,600 to 2,000 feet. The official forest trail itself is 2.3 miles from Fairview to the Rincon Trail, but the popular destination—the cave—sits a short climb above the creek crossing. With a 4.6 rating from reviewers, it is one of the more rewarding hikes in this corner of the forest.