SF Yuba (49 to Bridgeport, V)

49 to Bridge port is my best favorite run. It is not so far from Davis (2 hours), has many exciting rapids and boofs in only 7.2 miles and great sceanic views. However, there are many strainers and undercuts, so swimming here is very bad. In 2006, I did this run three times at 500 cfs, 730 cfs and 730 cfs. 700-800 cfs would be perfect flows. There is also a CA state park at the takeout where the world-longest covered bridge is. River flow is nice flat water and many swimmers come to enjoy so clean water. Some infor is available at cacreeks.com.

Putin bridge on Hwy 49.




Corey Tucker in the last rapid in the boulder garden


25 feet waterfall. Portaged.


Brian Tupper entering Mr. Squiggly (IV+)


Brian on the El Boof (IV).


Downstream view of El Boof.






This and next rapids are consecutive. Making river right through left move is the first line. In the bottom of both rapids, there are nasty holes.


Making river right through left move is second.


Ledge #2 (V-). David describes in his web site that a river-wide, twelve foot ledge. The right side is ugly, junky, and has nasty hydraulics. The cleanest line is generally left of center, heading right to avoid the awkward seam on river left.


Corner Pocket (V). line is making right to left move and go over the ledge in the right half. However, there are nasty undercuts beyond the ledge. The right side has nasty sticky hole. When I tried this rapid for the first time, I could not make good right to left move and entered the right hole. Fortunately, I was not caught in the hole.


Corner Pocket