The Kern River Canyon: 234 Lives Lost since 1968

Erected only two weeks ago in what has become a grim rite of spring, the big, red-lettered sign beside the churning Kern River is already outdated. As motorists enter the winding Kern River Canyon with their freight of sunscreen and fishing rods and beer, it tells them about the river with no minced words: "234 lives lost since 1968."