Cherry Creek

  • Length: 8.6 miles
  • Gradient: 105 fpm
  • Difficulty: Class V
  • Season: April - September (Snowmelt + Dam Release)
  • Rec. Level: 900 - 2,000 cfs
  • Agencies: USFS
  • Permits: USFS
  • Put-in: Cherry Creek
  • Take-out: Meral's Pool

Cherry Creek refers to the section of the Tuolumne River above the more commonly rafted overnight run. You actually start your voyage on Cherry Creek, but the juice is on the Tuolumne River. Cherry Creek is also referred to as the Upper Tuolumne.

Rafting Cherry CreekThis is the yardstick that all Class V runs are measured against. Cherry Creek is solid Class V. It is actually quite amazing that such a steep run with so many boulders is so runnable. If you have the skills, knowledge, the right people, and the right equipment, you will walk away thrilled and amazed.

Cherry Creek starts off with a couple of miles on the creek itself followed by a mile or so on the Upper Tuolumne before you hit your first Class V, Corkscrew. This is followed by nearly nonstop Class IV rapids and leads into Mushroom which is the biggest rapid on the run. Mushroom is a big, long, complex rapid with a big hole at the bottom. It is quickly followed by Toadstool which will demand your respect.

Below here, you'll run all kinds of steep rapids and float through the Miracle Mile which drops 200 feet in one mile. As you approach the end, you are very likely to portage or line Flat Rock Falls and Lumsden Falls. You can take out at Lumsden Falls, but it is much easier to paddle the last mile or so of fun (but only Class IV) rapids down to Merals Pool. Here you'll pop open a beer as the adrenaline leaves your system.