Pit or McCloud?

[thezeeb]

Heading out next weekend with a few friends and trying to decide which would be better to run. One person in our group will be in an inflatable, and were all about class 3-4 boaters. Any feedback on which is the better of the two? I know McCloud runs most of the summer and Pit is having releases next weekend. Whatcha think?

[mtwitch]

Tough Decision. They are completely different rivers.

The Pit has murky, warm water, deserty-volcanic scenery, is Class 4, with a big waterfall, and has some great rapids that do keep you busy and entertained. Pretty easy shuttle, too.

The McCloud (and I'm assuming you are talking about the Upper (Hearst) run. The lower McCloud is an overnighter and is getting a bit lowish this year.) has beautiful, old-growth scenery, crystal clear, ice-cold water, and starts out from Lower Falls with minimal water, often requiring getting in & out of the boats to shove through the volcanic rock dams (I've even seen it with no water at all at the put-in, despite having water flowing at the falls, the water returned downstream). Once you get to Big Springs, it's basically one big long (8 mile?) rapid that's mostly class 2, with the Class 3 part just below Big Springs. Lots of rocks to hit. Then, of course there's the Hearst Estate which is pretty incredible (just don't get out of the boats to look, keep floatin'). Lastly, there's the 3 miles out on the Lake to the boat ramp. Oh, and take your drytop and gloves, that water is cold!

The McCloud is one of my favorite rivers to take people (who are in decent shape, hitting all of the rocks on the top part can take it out of you when you ain't a good boater) who are new to the sport, but can boat Class 2-3 stuff (in a kayak you want to have a good roll, wouldn't be a good place to swim; shallow and sharp rocks) just because of the beautiful water (it glows, almost) and the scenery. I haven't done it in the last few years; the shuttle is long, and there's the paddle out on the lake, so it's more of an epic.

The Pit is way more of a pool and drop deal with rapids easily a notch up from the McCloud. Great Scenery, too (just different). The toughest part of the Pit is the beginning, when you work your way down through the brush hoping you found the right slot.

I'll be on the Pit, just because it's flowing. But, I live in Redding, so doing the McCloud can be done anytime.

Mark Twitchell

[aggierafter]

does the 30 footer go below a 1000? I was there last year and I think the flow was like 1200 which was a good level, but if it were lower, which is maybe not such a good level...AW cites that the flow will be around 1000 or maybe even lower...nick

[psycho]

Show support for the hard work AW has done getting the Pit release. Everyone should go for that reason alone. Also, there are not many other good runs this time of the year. It is a good solid run. There are no long lakes to paddle like on the S F American. The big water fall has an easier slide on the right side and can also be easily portaged and scouted. There is video on awetstate.com

http://www.awetstate.com/Video%5Ckayak14.html

[river_tool]

does the 30 footer go below a 1000? I was there last year and I think the flow was like 1200 which was a good level, but if it were lower, which is maybe not such a good level...AW cites that the flow will be around 1000 or maybe even lower...nick

Yah, last year at 1200 and it was fine. The day before, the flow was lower and it didn't look good. But I think the lower day was like 900 -- I just can't remember for sure... Either way, you can still run the slide on river right and the drops on river left go too.

[mtwitch]

How was the brush at the put in last month? Last year it was a bit exciting and I heard from one of the Shasta Paddlers who went last month that it was worse. Some friends were talking about a cat-raft run this weekend, but I think that the brush could get real ugly. That, combined with the expected low flows, had them decide to wait until next year, maybe. (They've run it at 5 and 7K before, so the brush gets pushed down).

Mark T.

[psycho]

which put in are you concerned about the brush? we put in at big eddy last year . the first few runs we ran through grassy narrow channels on the center and left. the last time we ran the right side where rafts would fit.
rob, you were up there with nick on the second day.