The Merced River
The Merced River starts on the slopes of Mount Lyell in Yosemite National Park before cascading over Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls and meandering through Yosemite Valley. Just outside of the park entrance and along Highway 140 is one of the best kept secrets of rafting: the Merced River.
This description separates the Merced River into two parts, but there are several places to put-in and take-out which allow for many possibilities.
Red Bud to Briceburg - Class IV
15 miles, spring and early summer run
This section of the Merced flows along Highway 140 through several Class IV rapids and many Class IIIs. If you put in at Red Bud, you'll run the Class IV rapids Nightmare Island and Chipped Tooth without much of a warm up.
Most people put in a few miles down from Red Bud at Indian Flat so that they have a nice warm up before the next Class IV rapid, Ned's Gulch. There are several fun rapids below here with some great places to surf both rafts and kayaks. There is an alternate take-out at a foot bridge about a mile and a half below Ned's Gulch. There is a fun Class II float down to Briceburg otherwise.
Briceburg to Bagby - Class IV
14 miles, spring and early summer run
Below Briceburg are two great Class IV rapids: Split Rock and Corner Pocket. They come in quick succession and make a great beginning or ending to a fun day on the water. There is an alternate take-out at Railroad Flat five miles below Briceburg.
If you continue below Railroad Flat, you've committed yourself to the canyon below since the road leaves the river. Most people will want to run this section when the water is lower due to the continuous nature of Quarter Mile and the the portage at North Fork Falls.
Quarter Mile is a rapid that is actually longer than a quarter mile and is a long series of technical maneuvering. Just past the end of Quarter Mile is a short pool followed by a portage at North Fork Falls. Beyond here are Class II rapids and a paddle across McClure Reservoir to a boat ramp at Bagby.
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