Piru Creek, CA

Gauge Information

River Description

Middle Piru Creek between Pyramid Lake and Piru Lake is a beautiful class 4 wilderness run through incredible geology. It can be runnable for a few days immediately during and after large winter rain storms, or for longer periods during very wet winters.

Getting There:  

Piru Creek lies just to the west of the Grapevine section of Highway I-5, north of Los Angeles.  

Put-in: From the Highway 126 junction in Castaic, Take I-5 north, 10.5 miles to the Templin Highway junction. Turn left (west) under the freeway, then immediately turn right onto Golden State Highway. Travel 5.2 miles to Frenchmans' Flat Campground. topozone map, google map.

Take-out: Take I-5 to Castaic. Take highway 126 west, 11 miles to the town of Piru. Turn right on Center Street and go 7/10 mile to Orchard Street and turn right. Travel 2/10 mile on Orchard, then turn right on Piru Canyon Road. Travel 6 1/2 miles to the Piru Lake boat ramp. topozone map, google map.

Note: Be aware that there may be BARBED WIRE across the river about 2 miles or so before the creek flows into Lake Piru, and NYLON FENCE and BARBED WIRE slightly further downstream. This creek has many strainers and pinning spots. The creek is normally boated at fairly low flows, so it is usually not disastrous, but if things go wrong you have very few options. It can make a very long day if something goes wrong. Bring extra food on this one -- 15 miles of class IV is longer than you think!

At the end of the run, the river gets shallow and braided.   If flows are too low or you choose the wrong channel you may have to drag your boat occasionally.   Then you face 3 miles of flat water paddling on the reservoir to get to the boat ramp. 


Other Information Sources:
Gary Valle
Charles Foster
Friends of the River

Lake Piru Recreation Area

Approximate elevations
Put-in: 2040 feet
Take-out: 1060 feet