North Fork of the Stanislaus

The North Stan, as it is known, is the highest elevation commercial rafting run in California. This means you'll be surrounded by high Sierra scenery and granite boulders as you paddle through fun rapids

Sourgrass Ravine

  • Length: 5 miles
  • Gradient: 70 fpm
  • Difficulty: Class IV+
  • Season: April - October (Dam Release)
  • Rec. Level: 300 - 3,000 cfs
  • Agencies: USFS and Calaveras Big Trees State Park
  • Permits: None
  • Put-in: Sourgrass Campground
  • Take-out: Calaveras Big Trees State Park

The put-in at Sourgrass Campground has typical beautiful Sierra scenery with granite and big pine trees everywhere. Just below the bridge is the scary Class V+ rapid, Sourgrass, that was more runnable before the 1997 floods changed it. You'll start your trip (below Sourgrass) with a few challenging Class IV rapids as a warm up.

There will be fun rapids scattered along the run and the best section of whitewater is at the end with Upper Sequioa and Lower Sequioa rapids. These are fun rapids among granite boulders with some big, tight drops. The trip ends by taking out at a bridge in Calaveras Big Trees Park.

McKay's

  • Length: 2.5 miles
  • Gradient: 100 fpm
  • Difficulty: Class V
  • Season:April - October (Dam Release)
  • Rec. Level: 500 - 2,000 cfs
  • Agencies:USFS and Calaveras Big Trees State Park
  • Permits: None
  • Put-in:Calaveras Big Trees State Park
  • Take-out: McKay's Point

Kayaking Waterfall RapidThis is the run that starts just below the bridge at Calaveras Big Trees State Park and runs through some spectacular scenery. There are 3 fun Class V rapids to test your skills and if you have the ability, you'll love this run. The big rapids are Devil's Horn, the Waterfall, and Breathless. The are all very scoutable, a little intimidating, and super fun.

The entire run will keep you entertained with fun drops and maneuvering between granite boulders. Pay close attention to wood in this run because it comes and goes all the time. There is a tough to find take-out on the right just below a gauging station or you can take out on McKay's Reservoir.