Mokelumne South Fork

Some days I think, “this sport of inflatable kayaking is so much fun it should be illegal!” After hours of threading slaloms and lining up to run narrow waterfalls in the warm sun, this was one of those days. Of course governments try to wring excess access fees from your wallet, and landowners do what they can to make river running appear illegal, but fortunately we live in a place with expansive navigation laws.

This is an extremely fine run somewhere in California. There may or may not be a gated road to put-in, so a hike in may or may not be necessary. The take-out is diligently posted with No Trespassing signs but there is a wide right-of-way and the local Sheriff doesn't seem to care. This run isn't publicized at this time because of access questions at put-in.

The whitewater is what will bring you back to this run, not the scenery, which is clearcut and burned in places, normal forest in other places, and developed with houses in spots. Class III and IV rapids are interspersed throughout the run. There is one portage around a potentially runnable diversion dam. One rapid in the lower section verges on class V, especially at higher flows.

mile
0

Put in on the dirt road in or near USFS land. The other side of the creek is definitely public land.

.5

Log Ride, class IV

Steep drop created by a submerged log

3

Foto Phalls, class IV

A sharp drop, but not too dangerous

6

Diversion Dam, portage?

Contemplating whether to run this mess

7

New Scary, class IV+ or V-
Multiple submerged rocks and potential underwater tunnels make you wonder just how dangerous this one is. Easy portage on the left.

Following tongue near recirculating hole

7

Brace Right, class IV

Scott underestimates force of the brace required, and almost tips!	After nearly falling out of his boat, he recovers miraculously

9

Take out under the highway bridge, in the public right-of-way.

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