Rapid
CA
Santa's Mustache
American, Middle Fork - Oxbow Bend / Ralston Afterbay to Drivers Flat Road (CA)
Gauge Conditions
Runnable: ? – ? CFS
Approximate - nearest available gauge. Use as general reference only.
Data from American Whitewater & USGS
CDEC Flow Data California
Data from California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)
Photo
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description
Santa's Mustache presents a sharp left-hand turn with a series of waves that can create challenging navigation, particularly at different water levels. Paddlers should be prepared to maneuver quickly through the 90-degree bend, watching for potential hydraulics and maintaining precise boat control. The rapid's tight angle and wave trains demand careful line selection and active river reading skills.
Location
Other Rapids on This Run (20)
Rapid
III
Panic Alley
Rapid
III
Carl's Crash
Rapid
III
Last Chance
Rapid
N/A
Tunnel Chute Entrance from Upstream
Waterfall
V+
Tunnel Chute Left Channel
Hazard
IV+
Tunnel Chute
Rapid
N/A
Entrance to the Tunnel from Right Bank
Rapid
N/A
Sun Shafts
Rapid
III
Soul Train
Rapid
N/A
Volcano Creek
Rapid
N/A
Orange Wall
Rapid
IV
Kanaka
Rapid
II
Nine miles of Class I and II
Rapid
Cash Rock
Rapid
Jump Rock
Rapid
N/A
Big Snyder Gulch
Rapid
N/A
River Access
Portage
IV
Chunder (a.k.a Upper Ruck-A-Chucky or Duck Soup)
Waterfall
V+
Ruck-A-Chucky Falls
Waterfall
Ruck-A-Chucky Falls
View Full Run
Oxbow Bend / Ralston Afterbay to Drivers Flat Road
American, Middle Fork
II-IV(V+)
15.2 mi
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
American Whitewater