Tuolumne,

4) Lumsden Campground (Merals Pool) to Wards Ferry Bridge (Main Tuolomne)

Exit from Thread the Needle rapid

Exit from Thread the Needle rapid
Photo by Paul Martzen

Gauge Information

River Description

The Main Tuolumne River is a California classic, with nice scenery, exciting class 4 rapids, good side hikes and interesting historical sites. Dependable flows are provided by Holm Powerhouse up on Cherry Creek. Hetch Hetchy Water and Power has developed a good relationship with the whitewater community and has agreements to provide dependable daytime flows through the summer to the extent possible.

Permits are Required from May 1 to October 15 of each year. Permits must be obtained from the Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland Ranger District. Day trip permits are usually easy to obtain in person. Overnight permits can be reserved starting on January 1st. Weekday overnight permits can be easy to obtain also. The forest has good information at their Tuolumne River web page.

Permit Instructions
Permit Application

Call (209) 962-7825

Getting There:

Put in: Meral's Pool at Lumsden campground is at the bottom of a narrow, twisty, rough and slow dirt road. It is generally closed in the winter time. Call the ranger district to see when this road opens in the spring. There are several free campsites along the river in the vicinity of the put in. They have pit toilets but no potable water.

When Lumsden road is closed, alternate access can be had by hiking down the SF Tuolumne road. It is a two or three mile hike but all down hill with some nice scenary. The SF T road faces east and catches morning sun.

The most dangerous part of a river trip can be the shuttle to the fun! On a bus trip into Jawbone Canyon, SUVs speeding up the one-lane switchback dirt road at 15 mph almost crashed into the bus or careerned over the canyon edge. Expect to meet other cars and buses on this narrow road. Allow about 20 minutes driving time from Highway 120 down to Meral's Pool.

Take out: Wards Ferry Road bridge crosses the upper end of New Don Pedro reservoir. Boaters will usually have to paddle a mile or two of flatwater on the lake. If the reservoir is low there can be nice rapids almost to the bridge. There is a trail on the upstream river right side of the bridge. Parking is limited, so cars get spread out on the shoulder along the road. Don't leave any valuables in the car. Break ins sometimes happen. Allow about 20 minutes driving time each way from the river to Highway 120.


Other information sources:
Cassady & Calhoun, Holbek & Stanley, Martin
Rocks and Rapids of the Tuolumne River, by Terry Wright
Tuolumne River Trust

CaCreeks.com
CaliRiver.com.
Tuolumne River - National Forest page
Tuolumne-River.com guide page
Loma Prieta Tuolumne River Guide
Paddle to the Sea; 2009 (blog)

Geology:

Cenozoic evolution of the Tuolumne
http://www.terrywrightgeology.com/tguiderevision07.1.doc is an msWord doc of Terry Wright's wonderful book, 'Rocks and Rapids of the Tuolumne River; A guide to the Natural and Human History'.