NF Yuba (Sierra city to Downiville, IV-V)

Sierra city run of North Fork Yuba is one of my favorite classIV with several classV rapids. I had paddled this run several times at 700~750 cfs. I was so exhausted with the 13 mile-long run but always satisfied. There is no dam above this run, flows in winter and spring are stable.

Breck is in the classIV+ rapids.




Far left is undercut. Right channel is a line.


Chris is brave. He caught up with us here. Did he listen about the undercut???


Alan guided us this day. Although he had done this run only three times before, he remembered lines very well.


Gillespie Dam. Someone prepared to throw rescue rope.




Ladies Canyon. We scouted from Hwy 49 in advance. This is classV because of very fast flow, high wave and a nasty rock under water but visible in the middle to right channel, far left was the line.


ClassV. Breck was on 3 feet-wide line. Left side is very sticky. Someone prepared to throw rescue rope. Before approaching this drop, there was a small drop and wave. It made me feel nervous.


View from downstream of the classV.


ClassIV rapids just above Moss canyon classV


Moss canyon classV. River-wide drop. Far left was a possible line, but we portaged on right side.