Summer of Lars, Continued

After the UMC trip we returned to Camp Lotus to spend a couple days on the S. Fork of the American before we shot up to the North Yuba area. There the plan was to run Pauley and Lavazolla creeks and then to hit the Goodyears Bar section on the N. Yuba with the ladies.

John running a ledge on Lavazolla, it think.

Well, guess I only have some pics of this drop on Lavazolla and nothing on Pauley, thought I had both. Anyways, both proved to be fun runs and a nice warm-up for Canyon and Fordyce creeks. But, first these pics.

Ted Cookson


John

Ryan Marquart

Steve

Canyon Creek (S. Yuba trib.)

May 21, 2009

The boys at the put-in

Ryan running the first good double drop that had a pothole on the bottom left. Our buddy Ted Cookson found out about that one after getting stuck in the hole.

Ted on the first drop. Right after I snapped this pic Ted spun out and ran the second drop backwards.

Overall, Canyon Creek was a good class 4 run with a few class 5's thrown in to spice it up. The releases are part of a flow study that AW helped negotiate. I'd estimate we had no more than 300cfs, which, felt pretty darn low in a lot of places. I'd definitely say 250 is the min. with 450 or 500 being really good.

One of the dicey rapids

finishing it up

Shortly before the confluence with the S. Yuba the creek gorges up and there's a serious of 4 or 5 drops. Each one is manageable in itself but the proximity of undercut rocks and the committing gorge make it very memorable.

Jordan on the second to last drop in the final gorge

check out the MJ

It's hard to tell when this one will have water. Check out the AW page and dreamflows to find out when they're releasing and then go get it cause it's fun one with easy logistics.

More Cali pics and video on the way along with in depth TR's of Royal Gorge and West Cherry Creek. Go kayaking fools.

peace