Trinity (Burnt Ranch Gorge, IV-V)

Burnt Ranch Gorge is nice class IV+ ~ V run (8.5 miles). I experienced classV rapids in this run first time in my paddling history. It was a good entry to classV world. I did this run with my Kendo in early Sep of 2004 at 1,200 cfs flow. Alan guided us and his oldest son, Dallen, (19 years old) and Alan's friend, Dan, paddled togethher. Like Alan, Dallen was a well-experienced paddler. They discussed a lot for each other (sometimes for longer than 10 min) to secure safety at many spots where we scouted. I felt that thier relationship was ideal between father and son. If my son grows bigger and paddles with me, I would like to establish such a nice relationship with him.



Alan at the entry to upper Brunt Ranch falls, class V-


View from downstream of the upper Brunt Ranch falls


upstream part of the middle Brunt Ranch Falls, classV upper falls are seen as well.


a paddler on his playboat in the eddy in the middle of middle falls


He did it. However, he portaged lower Burnt Ranch falls.


Lower Burnt Ranch falls (classV) was harder than the middle falls. I sometimes saw salmon jumping up in the rapids. I imagined that it would be so painful if salmon hit my face while paddling.
Unfortunately, I had no films there. Please see photos of this rapid at Trinity River Burnt Ranch Gorge. We took far light line, only available at this high flow, although Dan took the middle, the hardest line. When I come back again, I would try the middle line with creekboat.