McCloud(III),Trinity(III) with Kenya

In the end of July 2007, Kenya and I did Upper McCloud and Trinity Pigeon Point run on Sat and Sun. Upper McCloud river goes into McCloud reservoir and lower McCloud begins below the reservoir and goes into Shasta lake. The upper run begins with classIV sections near lower falls when flow is enough. When we did, the flow in the classIV section was very low, almost un-runnable, so we had to spend long time to go thourh it. This river runs on volcanic land made by the eruption of Mt.Shasta, which is the sacred mountain for Native Americans. In many places along the river, there are springs where snow-melted water, which penetrated into the volcanic land and have been running underground, is coming out. These spring water dramatically increases the flow of the river and make it enough runnable classIII runs with >750 cfs. In the end of this run (7 miles classIV->II), there is flat water on the reservoir for 3 miles. If there was not the last long flat water, I would do this run every year. Detail description by Bruce T is available at his blogs or cacreeks. Photos and description for Trinity run are below.


At the lower water falls. BruceH, TedD, JimH., PaulG., BruceT., me and Kenya. Photo by BruceT.


The lower falls. Photo by BruceT.


Putin. We putin ~half mile below the lower falls.


A mile or two, flow was so low, but my son, Kenya, enjoyed paddling in such a bonny section. Because of his light weight, his boat was not stuck at all unlike others. Photo by JimH.


While waiting for other's portaging at un-runnable part where Kenya could go through, Kenya was chasing fishes. He put on diving mask.


At the first big spring that dramatically increased the flow but made the river water ice-cold. Kenya was swimming just above the spring where water was still not cold.


Extremely clear and cold water came out from the spring that is behind of Kenya.


Kenya paddling in ClassIII rapids. Photo by Jim H. Kenya swam in one of small holes. Poor Kenya in ice-cold water.


Spring just above the riverbank usually makes beautiful water falls, but the water was low this time.


Another waterfall.


In the end of this run, we needed to paddle 3 miles on long flat water in McCloud reservoir. More pictures are available at Jim's album and BruceT's album


After doing Upper McCloud run, we stayed near McCloud in Sat night and moved to Trinity (Pigeon Point run, classIII) in Sun morning. My family had done this run before (my blog), but this was Kenya's first trial by himself.

Kenya jumping into rapids. Flow was 450 cfs.


Kenya in one of classIII rapids.


Photo by JimH.


Me entering Hell hole. Photo by JimH.


More pictures are seen at JimH's album and BruceT's album