paddled the East Fork of the San Gabriel this weekend near LA

[Jeff B]

and I must say, 45 minutes from my doorstep to the put in, including time for a gatorade stop, is damn nice. It's in a pretty canyon along hwy 39 above 2 reservoirs. Reports put the gradient at about 160-200 fpm, which is steep, but it's almost all continuous class II or III riffles. Lots of fun. Some logs to watch out for. Just enough complicated moves and logs and drops to keep you on your toes. Clear clean water. Lower down there were a lot of gold miners and people being baptized, which was wierd...We took out a bit above the reservoir, and hiked in about 2.5 miles from the end of the road at the ranger station. Total run was about 6.5 miles. Flow was looooow, maybe 100-200 cfs? Probably last run of the year but I can't wait until a big rainstorm or next years runoff. I hear that higher up is a section called the Narrows that bodes well for IV in a tight slot canyon. It also means a hell of a good long hike in.

but for LA boaters, this is a gem that often seems to be overlooked.

[Jeff B]

when your back is healed and it's not so bony, we should paddle it together.

[kellymoe]

I'll be there Jeff. Was the water kind of a glacier blue? I remember there being a sediment in it at times that made it look aqua blue at certain times of the year. How was the section above the ranger station? Just downstream of the ranger station about 1/4 mile the river turns sharp to the right. There used to be a few fun drops right there that were bedrock drops which is not the norm for the run. Depending on the year the drops can be filled in with gravel or exposed. Next year I will do my best to get on the river as much a possible. I'll take you up to do the Big Tujunga Narrows run since you are used to hiking with your boat now lol. The West Fork is another gem as well as Bear Creek that flows into the West Fork. I am glad you had good time.
I have a 10' self bailing SOTAR raft and am itching to get up on the Kern, if you want to kayak me and a buddy can take the raft down, maybe a trip on the Lower Kern this summer?

[Jeff B]

sure thing Kevin. Love to explore these rarely run steep creeks in the San Gabriels, like Big Tujunga, etc... Lower Kern in the summer would be great too, just let me know when you're up for it.

The water was kind of a glacial green. Nice color, but not too sedimenty. The stuff above the ranger station was really pretty nice, just little drop after little drop that kept you on your toes. Class IIIish at this low flow. With more water it could get really interesting and fun and bigger. The more interesting rapids were mostly complex boulder gardens at this low flow.

[ChrisL]

I think there's a urinal bisket factory further up the creek.

"I'll be there Jeff. Was the water kind of a glacier blue? I remember there being a sediment in it at times that made it look aqua blue at certain times of the year."

[kellymoe]

Originally Posted by ChrisL

I think there's a urinal bisket factory further up the creek.

"I'll be there Jeff. Was the water kind of a glacier blue? I remember there being a sediment in it at times that made it look aqua blue at certain times of the year."

No urinal biscuts but I have dodged a few diapers on the west fork of the San Gab. on busy weekends.