Lower Stanislaus (III~V-)

I ran Goodwin Dam run in mid Sep 2007. I liked this run. It's short, but very seanic run and there are good class III and IV rapids plus three class V rapids. Please see more details.. However, I did not plan to do it. Until the previous day (Sat), there was dam release of 1,200 cfs for Cherry creek run (classV). I drove down to Cherry creek in Friday night and camped. Unfortunately, I could not get good sleep due to taking too much cafeine and gave up paddling on Sat for safety and planned to paddle at Cherry creek on Sun when dam release of 750 cfs was scheduled. The problem was how I spend time there. Hiking was good idea, but I was adviced not to hike around there by a state park ranger, as deer hunting season just started from the day. I didn't want to be shot, so I went to Yosemite National Park, where hunting is prohibited. In addition to spending time, I needed to find paddling buddy for the next day. Fortunately, I could find two buddies, who are Adam, a raft guide in Lower Tuolumne river and his friend Jef.

Next morning, we went to putin. Very unfortunately, flow was very low. There appeared to be 750 cfs release until one hour ago judging from wet rock. Thus, changes of dam release is unpredictable. According to Adams's experience, the release wouldn't be recovered again on the same day. We decided to move to Goodwin Dam run of the lower Stanislaus that is a home river for Adam and Jef. We stopped by Adam's rafing company office at Buck Meadows for closing their office until next season, as there would not be 1,200 cfs dam release from the next day. Nights Ferry takeout is only 50 min by driving from Buck meadows. It is county park like Lotus of SF American river.

Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite National Park. I hiked along the lake, but stopped it before reaching waterfalls (dried at this time). It was because other hikers who was coming back told me that they had seen bear.

Dam release from the reservoir. Looked very powerfull.


John paddling in the first classV- rapid. He is a photographer and very strong paddler.


Adam.


Jef in the second classV- rapid. I could make it since John showed us his line.


Adam. River left is a portage route.


Adam paddling in one of classIII-IV rapids.

The third classV rapid. We portaged it, but it might be runnable at higher flow.




Melissa re-entering after portaging the third classV.