Pieta Creek to US 101 Bridge

This is commonly called the Frog Woman Rock section where the river flows by the base of a prominent volcanic bluff by this name. The largest rapid is also at the base of this bluff. Frog Woman Rock is the anglicized version of the local Pomo Indian name for this rock formation; it has been previously referred to by a derogatory name. There are many alternate put-ins and take-outs here. The section from Pieta Creek to Comminsky Station is pretty flat except for Frog Woman Rock itself. You might consider entering at Comminsky instead. We often do the 1.5 Mile stretch from Comminsky to just below C-Turn. We feel that this short stretch has the best playing potential. There is a large turn-out from the freeway there and you will often see parked cars with racks on them. You might also consider taking out at NACO or Preston. Both are considerably easier take-outs than the bridge. The bridge take out involves either private property (occasionally enforced) or a steep artificial talus slope. Take out (googlemap)&hl=en&ie=UTF8&z=17&ll=,38.8330994-123.0108032&spn=0.00376,0.010632&t=h&om=1) The Frog Woman Rock Rapid is the only true Class III here. It is considerably harder when the flow is below 300 or above 1500. Above 2000, it is probably a Class IV. You may scout this rapid from the road before you run it. The 'C-Turn' rapid can be Class III-/III at flows greater than 700 or so CFS. Be sure to take the left-hand channel from the large pool above. Warning - This section has had a number of trees (strainers) across the river in some years. Frog Woman Rock is the angclicized version of original Pomo Indian name for this volcanic rock. In the Pomo language it is called Bi-tsin’ ma-ca Ka-be’ (Frog Woman Cliff). Frog Woman is an important figure in Pomo traditional beliefs. She has a beautiful face but the body of a frog, and lives in a den in the rock. She can leap a hundred feet to snatch and devour men. Pomo people avoid the rock for fear of being eaten by her.