Cache Creek (Wilderness, II-III)

Wilderness run of Cache creek is a great class II-III run. I do this run once a year. This year, I took my daughter, Yuruko. For her, it was a great and long adventure in wilderness. This run is pretty long and has ~2 miles on the north fork of Cache creek and 15 miles on the main Cache creek. The north fork gets flows by the release from Indian valley reservor and merges with the main flow coming from the Clear lake. When we did this run, the flow was ~300 cfs on the NF and 3,300 after the confluence. Flow was so fast and we finished 17 miles in four and quater hours on the river. Because Bald eagles are coming down around here for mating in winter, we could see many bald eagles, adult and young ones, couples and their nests in addition to coyotes and waterfowl, etc. Yuriko was so excited to watch them.

We kayaked with Bruce Thomas and Jim Hardwick. There was another big group of many rafts and IKs.(Photo by Jim Hardwick)


This section is usually dry. When water level goes up, many dangerous spots appear, where trees or branches protrude and make narrow channels or strainers. Bruce said, "This run has class II rapids, but class IV strainers." When the release from Indian valley reservor is only 100 cfs, it is easy class II. At 300 cfs, flow becomes very fast and also difficult for beginners (photo by Jim Hardwick).


This day was unusual, because the weather was fine. We were very lucky. Whenever we did, it was cloudy or rainy.




We found a track of big animal, bigger than Yuriko's hand. Is it a mountain lion (puma)? Many mountain lions are living in this region.


Class 2 on the main Cache. Riverbank presents good view of stratum. Here is a good place to learn how the stratum has been formed.


Yuriko is paddling hard in class 2 rapids. On the main Cache, there were sevral class 3 rapids.


Yuriko is following Jim.