Press Release ARCHIVE
SEE GIANT SEQUOIAS IN STYLE VIA NEW GUIDED BUS TOUR
KERNVILLE, Calif., March 3, 2004 - Mountain and River Adventures, a Kernville, Calif. outdoor outfitter, will offer guided bus tours to the "Trail of 100 Giants," the most popular grove of Giant Redwoods in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, beginning next month.
The tour runs round-trip from Kernville, southern gateway to the Giant Sequoia National Monument, with Thursday through Sunday departures at 9:00 a.m. starting on April 15, 2004, weather permitting (see below). The five-hour experience features a panoramic, docent-led ride up the Kern River Canyon, guided walk among the Giant Sequoias, picnic lunch in the forest, and numerous photo opportunities. Cost per person is $35; the tour is also available the rest of the week by appointment.
Developed in cooperation with the U. S. Forest Service and the Community Inspired Tourism Marketing Program of Kern River Valley Revitalization, Inc., the tour gives individuals of all ages the opportunity to visit America's largest and oldest living creatures, without the stress and strain of driving unfamiliar mountain roads. A fully-accessible paved pathway, the "Trail of 100 Giants," annually attracts thousands of nature lovers, including children, the elderly, and the physically disabled.
The Kern River Valley is gateway to the Giant Sequoia National Monument and the "sense of forever" fostered by the "Big Trees." Kernville, a Western-motif village bisected by the Wild and Scenic Kern River, is a hub for outdoor adventures including whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing.
The town of Lake Isabella harbors the region's rich water sports, including fishing, boating, jet skiing and wind surfing. The Kern River Valley is definitely "for the birds," with birdwatchers flocking to the Kern River Preserve, Canebrake Ecological Reserve, Isabella Lake, Greenhorn Mountains, and other lookouts. The Kern River Preserve was one of the first 10 sites in the U.S. to receive "Globally Important Bird Area" recognition.
Before and after "Trail of 100 Giants" bus tours, Kernville offers visitors a village square with find-filled antique shops, Riverside Park and picnic area along the Kern River, and the Kern Valley Museum, home to Native American artifacts, pioneer memorabilia, and old Hollywood movies shot in the Kern River Valley.
Nearby local accommodations include AAA-rated motels, mountain cabins, bed and breakfasts, recreational vehicle parks, and campgrounds.
For bus tour reservations, call Mountain and River Adventures at (760) 376-6553 or visit www.mtnriver.com. (Late spring snowfall can cause trip cancellations due to road conditions; call to confirm availability prior to booking).
General visitor information is available by calling one of the Kern River Valley Chambers:
- Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce
- toll-free (866) KRV4FUN (578-4386)
- online at www.kernrivervalley.com.
- Kernville Chamber of Commerce
- toll-free (866) KERNVIL (537-6845)
- online at www.kernvillechamber.org.
