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Whiskey Flat Trail LbNA #3147

Owner:Cosmic Holly
Plant date:Apr 5, 2002
Location:
City:Kernville
County:Kern
State:California
Boxes:3
Planted by:PenGwen
Found by: JoySong (3)
Last found:Mar 22, 2024
Status:FFFFFFFFFOF
Last edited:Mar 23, 2024
Originally a series of four boxes, a fire swept through the area in 2010 and destroyed box #3. These clues have been edited from Gwen's original to compensate for trail maintenance and missing landmarks. Be sure to bring plenty of water as there is almost no shade along the trail. As always in the wild, keep an eye out for rattlesnakes and other wildlife.

From the intersection of Kernville Road and Burlando Road, head north along Burlando Road until it ends at the Whiskey Flats trail head. Park here and start your journey.

Box 1 The Alten Wedding Bells and Box 2 The Love Birds of Bull Run

Stay on the main trail 'til you reach Bull Run creek and cross the creek on the stone bridge. From the creek go up the trail about 15 steps turn left and look at the base of the first bush and then under a pile of rocks. Both boxes are planted together. You'll notice some unique designs on the stamp, apparently one of Gwen's dogs got a hold of the stamps and decided to do some carving of their own.

#4 Buzzard’s Perch

Return to the main trail and continue quite a ways up river as the trail gently rises. You will reach a steep uphill section as the trail goes around a small hill. Just about at the top of the steep section you will see barbed wire and wooden fence posts on both sides of the trail. Look at the solitary oak that makes up a corner of the fence on your right and go to the first metal fence post at 300 degrees then 2 steps north to a rock carne near a bush. If you were rafting this section of the river the rapid just above you would be “Buzzard’s Perch" The brush is too thick here to get to the actual rapid.

The following clues, notes, and box history are Gwen's originals.

Note: On July 26, 2010 a huge man made fire destroyed the vegetation on this lovely section that hikers and bikers use

The fire was started up the Bull Run creek, and came down hill, jumped the Kern River and destroyed 7 houses in River Kern before heading up the mountains. It took 6 days to contain. In January 2011 I checked the first 3 boxes.

Although the area is burned, folks still use the trail that leads to Bull Run Creek. So I rehid the remaining box in its old location.



General Directions: From Kernville Rd and Burlando Rd drive past Forest Service Office 2 miles to Whiskey Flat trail and park at end of the road. Enter trail between white fence posts near the brown Forest Service sign and hike about 1/8 of a mile until you get close to a barb wire fence and beyond and just beyond that is a white fence. Stay on the main trail and you will come to a steep rocky section.



  1. 1 The Alten Wedding Bells. Jan. 22, 2011 Note: All landmarks after the steep section are gone but I found the box among the boulders. It was melted but stamp and log book were fine. I took them home. Then on Feb 1, 2011 Lucy our youngest Brittany ate/hid the stamp. Gwen

Our daughter was married at Mountain River Adventures Camp on 3/23/02 and this box was dedicated to our MRA friends who helped make the wedding site possible.



  1. 2 The Love Birds of Bull Run. Note: This box was found melted onto some of the covering rocks. I salvaged what was left and took it home too, It was so amazing to find them. Gwen Lucy's paw print and photo share this box.

Follow the trail, staying on the narrow right hand trail and soon you will see Bull Run Creek. Cross the creek on the cool small wood bridge. From the creek go up the trail about 15 paces turn left and look at the base of the first bush and then under a pile of rocks. The Box honors Scott and Pam Alten and all their friends and family who helped so lovingly with the wedding of 3/23/02. If you are visiting the box in the summer and are dang hot try going down the creek a bit and take a plunge debris permitting)to a swimming hole...heaven.



  1. 3 Bubble's Beach Beaver Jan. 2011 This box definately burned. I could not find any landmarks.

Continue past the creek north bound on Whiskey Flat Trail for about a 7 min. walk at a good pace. You will pass by an old wood and barbed wire fence intersecting the trail. At the next wood post and barbed wire fence that intersects the trail, stop. This fence seems to start at the trail and continues off to your right. Walk 44 paces past the fence post along the trail and you will pass a huge cottonwood tree on your right. Continue along the trail for another 135 paces. Look to your right and see a decrepit corral at about 45 paces towards the river (hidden by brush and trees). Go to the actual entrance posts of the corral (on the riverside of the corral). At the base of the first upright pole south of the entrance under a pile of rocks hides the Beaver of Bubble's Beach.



#4 Buzzard’s Perch The location of this box not verified. I don't know if the fire went as far as the box. More news later....Gwen-Jan 23, 2011

Return to the main trail and continue up river as the trail gently rises. Soon you will see a tipsy trail sign as the trail begins a steep section around a small hill. Just about at the top of the steep section you will see barbed wire and wooden fence posts on both sides of the trail. Look at the solitary oak that makes up a corner of the fence on your right and go to the first metal fence post at 300 degrees then 2 paces north to a rock carne near a bush. If you were rafting this section of the river the rapid just above you would be “Buzzard’s Perch" The brush is too thick here to get to the actual rapid.

When researching our clues please be aware that when previous searchers list “ATTEMPTED” on the clue sheets it may reflect more on their abilities as finders than indicate whether the box is viable or not. We do monitor our clues and boxes pretty well and appreciate the notes written to us by those that find or attempt our letterboxes.

Please contact placer directly or through the LBNA chat list regarding status rather than unofficial data bases. Up to date status can only be ascertained from placer as other information services will not have current data. Listing information about this letterbox on unauthorized information services is not appreciated by the placer.