mccloud?

[travisbott]

Is it running? the run i thought i found seemed to be dammed and i don't know if they have some sort of release schedule that could be look up or what. I don't know anything about but came across it and it looks like fun if it is going. if it is, would anybody be interested in doing it thursday or so?

[mtwitch]

Upper McCloud run description: http://cacreeks.com/mccloud1.htm

Lower McCloud: http://cacreeks.com/mccloud.htm

Upper McCloud Gauge: http://www.dreamflows.com/graphs/day.042.php

Lower mcCloud gauge: http://www.dreamflows.com/graphs/day.044.php

More McCloud run Descriptions with photos:
http://darinm.blogspot.com/2007/12/m...oud-river.html

http://darinm.blogspot.com/2008/04/l...miles-two.html

The upper McCloud is a wonderful, scenic long-day run through the Hearst Property. It's a bit of an epic, the shuttle is a bit long, there's some rock bumping/boat dragging the first mile or so, and then there's a long paddle out on the lake. The rapids are easy, but very long, and the water is cold and very shallow. The rocks are sharp. Flips and/or swims are not good.

The lower McCloud is harder, less continuous, and is usually done as an overnight.
I boated the Upper McCloud last year at around 800 CFS and it was very bony, and I hit a lot of rocks. At the current flow of 663, I wouldn't want to do it. I have friends who want me to take them down and I've told them to wait until next year. I usually do this run in the Fall, but this year, I don't know.

The Lower I've done in an inflatable at 340. It was a lot of fun, but more water would have been nicer. In a hardshell, I'd want still more.

Mark Twitchell

[nsinderson]

I agree with the former post 700 or so cfs might be ok for a first run on the upper, but it is much better higher 1,100 it starts to get kicken and you can run from the falls down (spring only). But of course it's almost fall now so if you need to get wet it beats not boating. I did the lower on this years release of 1,000 cfs at McCloud dam and 1,300 @ Shasta Res. and I would say if you are a class 4 paddler this run is hard to beat. Quality from start to finish, It just doesn't let up.Miles of 3/4 with a couple of harder ones. The group consensus was 800cfs at the dam/Ah-Di-Na was minimum for a for a good time for in a hardshell. At that flow we covered the 20 plus miles in one 8 hour day of boating.
Nick

[rdwar]

Nick,
Do you have any information regarding future water releases on the lower?

Thanks,
Bob

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I did the lower on this years release of 1,000 cfs at McCloud dam and 1,300 @ Shasta Res. and I would say if you are a class 4 paddler this run is hard to beat. Quality from start to finish, It just doesn't let up.Miles of 3/4 with a couple of harder ones. The group consensus was 800cfs at the dam/Ah-Di-Na was minimum for a for a good time for in a hardshell. At that flow we covered the 20 plus miles in one 8 hour day of boating.
Nick[/QUOTE]

[nsinderson]

rdwar,

Sadly no. Sadly because this run would go everyday! But there is hope because Am. Whitewater was there during the releases performing a recreation flow study for the upcoming relicensing of McCloud dam.
The down side of the run is private property on both banks for the majority of the run and 21-24 miles is long day for most boaters. But for intermediate boaters like myself this run is hard to beat. The group consensus was as good as the Illinois and that's good company!
Also I said 800 at the put-in was min. for a good time in a hardshell I'm guessing 600 would be fine, you'll just be hitting a few more rocks. Come spring we'll be watching the flow.
Nick

[nsinderson]

McCloud gauge @ Shasta Res. is 600cfs & rising. Seems PG&E has some maintainence issues and the whole natural flow will be headed down the river for the next 10-14 days. In a dry year in late Sept. this got to be good news!
http://troutunderground.com/2008/9/2...y-sunday-21st/

Nick