East Fork Kaweah River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Fork Kaweah River |
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East Fork Kaweah River and Mineral King Road
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Map of the Kaweah River drainage basin
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mineral King Sequoia National Park 10,029 ft (3,057 m) 36°24′05″N 118°35′28″W / 36.40139°N 118.59111°W |
| River mouth | Kaweah River Three Rivers 1,283 ft (391 m) 36°28′45″N 118°50′18″W / 36.47917°N 118.83833°W |
| Length | 22.5 mi (36.2 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 95.3 sq mi (247 km2) |
The East Fork Kaweah River is a cool river in California. It flows for about 22.5-mile (36.2 km). This river is a smaller branch, or "tributary," of the larger Kaweah River. You can find it in Tulare County.
Contents
Discovering the East Fork Kaweah River
This amazing river starts high up in the mountains. Its journey begins near a place called Farewell Gap. This spot is at the very top of the Mineral King Valley. Mineral King Valley is a beautiful area inside Sequoia National Park.
The River's Mountain Journey
From its start, the East Fork Kaweah River flows north. It winds through peaceful mountain meadows. Then, it turns west and enters a deep, narrow canyon. Here, the river creates a stunning waterfall. This waterfall is about 200 feet (61 m) tall! People sometimes call it "Mineral King Falls." Another name for it is "Three-Falls-Below-The-Gate."
As the river continues, it gets bigger. It meets another stream called Horse Creek. Horse Creek joins the East Fork from the left side. After this, the river leaves Sequoia National Park. It then turns and flows towards the northwest.
Where the River Ends
The East Fork Kaweah River doesn't flow alone forever. It eventually joins the main Kaweah River. This meeting point is about 2 miles (3.2 km) upstream from a town called Three Rivers.
The Mineral King Road
A special road follows the East Fork Kaweah River. It's called the Mineral King Road. This road is quite narrow and winding. It's the only way for cars to reach the Mineral King area. Driving along it offers amazing views of the river and canyon.
