It is one of the southernmost rivers on the western slope of the mountains, and drains a high, relatively dry plateau country of 982 square miles (2,540 km2) along the Sierra Crest.

The upper South Fork flows through a series of rugged canyons, but it also drains a flat, marshy valley before joining the Kern River at Lake Isabella.

During their journey, they discovered Walker Pass, a mile above sea level, which lies at the headwaters of Canebrake Creek,[7] a major tributary of the South Fork.

Conflicts ensued between the newcomers and the native inhabitants, and a U.S. Army outfit, Camp Leonard, was established on the river to provide military control over the area.

A collapse of the dam, which could be caused by a quake on the Kern Canyon fault that lies directly under the structure, could inundate the city of Bakersfield within hours.

California State Route 178 runs through them, linking Bakersfield and Inyokern, which lie on opposite sides of the Sierra, via Walker Pass.