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Whitewater timing varies with scouting, portages, and group pace. Use as a planning baseline.
Description
A terrific year-round run through a scenic canyon. It's a wonderful run for those looking to step up from Class III to Class IV. Since the water comes from Whiskeytown Reservoir, flows are dependable and stable throughout the year. The water is clear and deep.
At low flows all rapids can be portaged. Pinch Me is the first rapid and it can sneak up on you – swims, pins, recirculations can easily happen here and you'll still have miles to paddle afterwards no matter what. Its name describes its character. As the local fisherfolks will tell you, there's no access to much of this section except by boat, so be careful and mark the rapids on your maps ahead of time.
There is also a Class V rapid (Ski Jump) in the middle of the run that features two large, technical ledges. It can be scouted or portaged on the right. Otherwise the run is Class III-IV.
Other information:
- Check out the description in Bill Tuthill's California Creeks.
- Geoff's Clear Creek page with descriptions and photos.
- Youtube video from December 2007 by Daniel Lundberg
- Youtube video of SkiJump rapid
- Youtube video, Clear Creek Broach