RIP Beaumont.

Beaumont was a not so beautiful ‘84 Mercedes that I had converted to run on waste vegetable oil, and if you boated with me in the last few years you probably saw this jalopy in action. Because excessive constant maintenance issues due sitting around for long periods of inactivity I passed Beaumont on to someone who will drive it more and help offset more gas use. These are the conditions I typicaly drive in, not ideal for a rear wheel drive car.

In with the older. I’ve been wanting one of these shuttle vehicles for a while, and this great running but not so great looking ‘74 Suzuki TS185 kind of fell in my lap.

Outside of that we’ve been lapping California’s Smith River and getting some ocean surf for the last week of every day boating before rejoining the working world at the local ski park.

Samantha, South Fork Gorge

Nate on the final rapid in just one of many laps.

California’s last completely undamed river, river depth is ten to twenty feet here.

For lap three we managed to fit all nine people and kayaks in one shuttle vehicle, good times!

One day after surfing near Crescent City we were rewarded with a stellar sunset.

Run to the hills….recent snow prompted relocating my domicile to colder climes. At least it’s paid off eh?

Now for four months of the “daily grind for the dollar” which isn’t too bad in my circumstances.

Klamath River on a winter morning.

The majority of water in the South Fork Salmon comes from a glacier high in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. The rest of the water flows out of the Russian Wilderness, guaranteeing first rate water quality on the South Fork Salmon, even when it’s flooding.

All pictures from this trip with the Salmon gauge at 4’

Overlooked by guidebooks the Methodist Creek run on the South Fork is one of California’s best intermediate kayaking runs. It sees regular use by Otter Bar’s classes, and many people say that it is the best run to learn on because it has distinct moves, well defined features and strong eddy lines. At higher flows the South Fork Salmon also has tons of play, making it a good run for mixed abilities. The scenery is great even though the run is roadside, the road is out of view the majority of the time.

Great scenery combined with friendly rapids.

Good pool drop rapids continue for many miles.

You can take out at Forks of the Salmon, or continue downstream through class I-II for several miles to Nordheimer River Access.

There is parking and a trail to the river at Methodist Creek for immediate class III fulfillment, or you can put in further upstream at plentiful access spots for a class II warm up.

Look for 700-2,000cfs on Chris Shackelton’s Dreamflows Estimate for the South Fork Salmon.

The McCloud River flows off the southern side of Mt Shasta, and after dropping over two large waterfalls it flows through a beautiful class II-III (IV) run before being impounded in McCloud Reservoir. Springs supply year round flows in the McCloud, and the water is crystal clear and just above freezing.

Early morning fog at the McCloud Reservoir.

I had done the McCloud years ago as a beginning boater, and swore never to return due to boulder bar rapids and the cold water. I always knew I would have to go back and get photographs at some time though, and as December arrived without any precipitation, I started motivating to get on the McCloud.

I really enjoyed the run this time, I think having a drysuit and pogies made a large difference over my previous wetsuit experience. The first time we put on at Fowler Falls, and scraped down over a mile of rocky rapids before Little Springs came into the river. This time we drove as far downstream as possible and hiked another half mile or so to right above Little Springs, an ideal put in for base flows that eliminates all the scraping endured on our previous trip. The class IV rapid is above Little Springs, so even when water is up a class III boater could put in here and enjoy the McCloud.

Flows are still a little low but acceptable for another half mile, until Big Springs pours in doubling the flow in good fashion.

Nick runs the rapid at the base of Big Springs.

Normally this run is done mid summer, so the heat offsets the cold water. December wasn’t the same story, but it gave us scenery bonuses.

Right below Big Springs is one of the best rapids on the run, a long II+ rapid that stacks up to class III because it’s about two hundred yards long and fun. The general character of the run is very continuous class II with moving water in between. Nothing in particular stood out to me, but the river keeps you moving at a good pace downstream, dodging rocks and hopefully taking time to look up and enjoy the scenery.

James Mitchell splashing it up on the McCloud River.

Eventually after many miles of twists and turns the McCloud goes under a bridge and mellows out, flowing through the Hearst Estate, my largest motivation to return and get some pictures. Paddling through this fairy tale scenery has to be done at least once. Usually any sign of civilization on the river is a detraction from the scenery, but they know how to do it right.

This little one is my personal favorite.

Paddling three miles of flat water isn’t my idea of fun, but thanks to low lake levels the length of flat water paddling was significantly shortened.

The McCloud really is a scenic wonderland, and while the rapids aren’t particularly challenging, the current keeps you moving downstream and the views make it worthwhile as a novelty that I would recommend as a “must do once” kind of run. Bill Tuthill’s CaCreeks also has a great write-up with shuttle directions. While in the area, the rarely run Upper and Middle McCloud Falls are worth checking out for viewing pleasure.

Middle McCloud Falls