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

-----------------------------------------------------

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

[rrogerskayaker]

Having recently paddled the lower McCloud at 600, 660, 800 and 1000 cfs, I can attest that this unscheduled release is not to be missed. Do an overnighter or do a very long day of 21 or 24 miles.

The short section from the base of the dam down to Ah-Di-Na campground is the steepest, but putting in up there saves on shuttle time. Watch out for a log in the section below Ash Camp. It is on the left side in about the 4th or 5th major rapid.

Ron

[nsinderson]

Is Public Property easy to locate? I know the creekin site lists a few places. Is a gps required?

Nick

[ca_creekin]

Our GPS had problems getting a fix and
eventually gave us a reading 1 km away from the river,
although we were standing on shore at the time.

One good plan is to stay at the USFS campground
at Ah-Di-Na the night before, do the lower river on day 1,
and the upper gorge on day 2.

[rrogerskayaker]

A large parcel of USFS public land is crossed by the river at Claiborne Creek. It is easily found because the camping spot is approximately 200-250 yards below the vehicle bridge at the McCloud River Club's private compound. Claiborne Creek, a sizable tributary approx 30 feet wide, comes in on river left. Pull into the mouth and take the short path up to the grassy bench on the right. You will find a well-worn foot path above the camp on public land, constructed by MRC connecting their land on either side of the public land. They also have a little foot bridge over Claiborne Cr, probably on USFS. The upstream (along McCloud) boundary of public land is just on the other side of Claiborne. MRC's full-time caretaker will come visit you. Be polite but firm in your knowledge that this is your public land that you are camping on. Bid him a nice day, and ask if he could spare some extra G&Ts. ;-)~

The river right side of the McCloud holds the brass cap, surveyed, corner monument of the USFS land and there is a sizable triangle-shaped portion of the public land over there. The scribing on the cap shows the approximate (very close) orientation of the two diverging boundary lines extending away from the corner cap and crossing the river. I recommend that you DO NOT CAMP ON RIVER RIGHT of the McCloud at this location. An MRC "No Trespassing" sign is posted about 100 feet on the USFS side of the property line. This large flat is easily accessible by MRC vehicles from their nearby road and any extended boater visit could become unnecessarily contentious, imho. There may be more on this matter later.

Ron