Golden Trout Creek facts for kids

Golden Trout Creek is a beautiful stream about 9-mile (14 km) long in California. It flows into the Kern River in the northeastern part of Tulare County, California. This creek helps drain a high mountain area called the Sierra Nevada within the amazing Sequoia National Forest. Another smaller stream, Volcano Creek, flows into Golden Trout Creek.

Where Golden Trout Creek Starts and Flows

Golden Trout Creek begins high up in the mountains, near a peak called Cirque Peak and a mountain pass known as Siberian Pass. It starts as several small streams joining together in a large, open area called Big Whitney Meadow. This area is very high, around 12,900-foot (3,900 m) above sea level!

From its start, the creek flows south for a while. Then, it turns west when another stream, the South Fork, joins it. The creek then travels through an interesting area called the Golden Trout Creek Volcanic Fields, which are near Little Whitney Meadow. Finally, Golden Trout Creek meets the Kern River in a deep valley called Kern Canyon. This meeting point is about 40 mi (64 km) north of Lake Isabella.

Amazing Golden Trout and Their Home

Golden Trout Creek is very special because it's the natural home of the Golden trout. This beautiful fish is even California's official state fish!

A tall waterfall called Volcano Falls is located near where Golden Trout Creek joins the Kern River. This waterfall acts like a natural barrier. It stops other types of trout from the main Kern River from swimming upstream into Golden Trout Creek. This helps keep the Golden trout in the creek pure and separate from other fish species.

Images for kids

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  Big Whitney Meadow, the source of Golden Trout Creek