Mokelumne, N. Fork, CA

Photo#18725

Photo of Mike Latendresse by Paul Martzen taken june 3, 2007 @ 700 cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

If you haven't checked out the Tiger Creek section on the North Fork Mokelumne, you should. This little gem of a run is freshly opened up by American Whitewater, and is an incredible paddling resource that is not being enjoyed up to its potential. The section boasts a class III+ rapid at the beginning, tons of pool/drop class III in the middle, and a couple of nice class IV rapids right at the end. The scenery is wonderful the whole way, with many granite cliffs and slabs rising out of the water and lush green hillsides.

This is a great run for class III paddlers wanting to step up their game, or wanting to practice some creekier moves in a comfortable setting. Scouting and portaging is fairly easy along most of the length, but it does require extra effort at the last class 4 rapid.

Access to the run is easy, with nice parking areas at the put in and take out provided by BLM & PG&E.   The shuttle is short and quick on a road that parallels the run just out of sight most of the time.  People commonly get 2 runs on this little jewel in a day.


Take out: Red Corral Road bridge of the Mokelumne is about 80 miles from Modesto, but you should allow about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
From Jackson head east on CA-104/CA-88 12.5 mi
Turn right at CA-104/CA-26 4.6 mi to Red Corral Road
Take a Right on Red Corral Road
topozone map, google map.

Put in: From the take out a dirt road follows the river upstream on the north side. Tiger Creek dam is about 3 miles upstream. There is a modest amount of parking and easy access to the river a few hundred yards downstream of the dam.
topozone map, google map.

Other Information Sources:
A Wet State
Foothill Conservancy

A GUIDE TO THE BEST WHITEWATER IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, HOLBEK & STANLEY, 1988

Here is a short video of the run. It gives a general overview, including the take out, put in, and the two last rapids. It also gives you an idea of how pretty this river is.

Click To Play