Last year was my 50th year of hiking in the Sierras.
I do the Kern River loop two to three times a year. Last year I was down in the Kern for a week May 4th.
My trips of this nature end with the crossing of either Army or New Army Pass depending on conditions.
The May 4th trip had me turn around at Wallace Creek and the JMT/PCT. However, my last 2 days of hiking normally, go with something like this. If I camp at Wallace Creek, I camp at Lower Rock Creek and then head up Rock Creek and out the same day. If I camp at Lower Crabtree, I camp at the entrance to New Army Pass, at the trail junction. There are 2, very large campsites. One on each side of the stream that comes out of the canyon. Camping there allows me to exit the same day (if I leave the campsite at 8am, I am on the pass at 9:45 and at the car by 1:30....I always take the South Fork Trail in and out. It cuts off an hour, or about 2 miles)
Last late September/the first of October I came through this area and the stream was flowing very well.....not so much for Guyot creek.
Very nice campsite for the last day. This campsite is half a mile from Soldier.
The site, at the entrance is 2.3 miles to New Army Pass, and 7 to the trailhead, or about 2 less if you take the South Fork Trail.
If you are not familiar with the South Fork trail, or travelling a half mile or so cross country to get to it, I would avoid this as a first time unless you are good at (easy) route finding.
The climb out of Rock Creek to Soldier is short but hideous. I always hate doing it because it normally occurs at the end of the day.
Last early June, I did the above hike and exited New Army. There was still a 20 foot cornice to go over....very easy, nothing difficult .
paul
