Trinity
4. Cedar Flat to Hawkins Bar(Burnt Ranch Gorge)
| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 9.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 46 fpm |
| Gauge | Trinity R Nr Burnt Ranch Ca |
| Flow Rate as of 23 minutes | 1130 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 15, 2025 |
River Description
Burnt Ranch (Chimariko: Tsuda'mdadji) is a beautiful and challenging run starting at Cedar Flat (Ha'dinaktcohada) and ending at Hawkins Bar (Hamai'dadji). Continuous class IV-V pool-drop rapids.
Photo: Final Drop in Middle Burnt Ranch Falls -
Check out www.allaboutrivers.com. and their description of this reach.
See also Cassady & Calhoun; Holbek & Stanley; Schwind, Penny.
Lat/longitude coords are approximate.
River Features
Put In
Put-in on river right at the Cedar Flat picnic area located on Highway 299 just upstream of the bridge over the Trinity River.
China Slide
Read and run class IV-
Pearly Gates
Significant Drop into Box Canyon
Tight Squeeze
The name says it all, big bolders everywhere.
Upper Burnt Ranch Falls
A long rapid leading to a final chute on the left or a narrow waterfall in the center. Also known as Burnt Ranch Falls #1.
Middle Burnt Ranch Falls
Many options depending on flow and the size of your boat. Also known as Burnt Ranch Falls #2.
Lower Burnt Ranch Falls
Rocky at lower flows, many paddlers portage this rapid (which can be almost as difficult as running it). Consider running only the final drop from the eddy on river left - it's a doozy. Also known as Burnt Ranch Falls #3.
Hennessy Falls
Class V in many guides
Origami
From Cassady and Calhoun - California Whitewater: 'Rafts that get caught in the turbulent holes at the bottom of this rapid could be folded like Japanese paper.'
The left side opens up somwhere above 1000 cfs. Some call it class V
Table Rock
Could also be called 'Tight Squeeze'. Possible portage on the left at higher flows.
New River confluence
The New River comes into the Trinity River on the right. The New can give a significant boost to Trinity River flows in winter and spring.
The New is a remarkable river itself, with multiple sections of varying difficulty. The section that empties into the Trinity River is the most difficult and committing section of the New.
Gray's Falls
A tree trunk sits underwater at the entrance to the main drop. It doesn't seem to pose a problem if you are in your boat and upright.
Kayakers often take out on river left after Gray's Falls and hike up a steep trail to the Gray's Falls picnic area that is along Highway 299. This cuts out the lower three miles of the run but most of the significant whitewater is upstream of here.
Take Out
Take out on river left at the large river bar downstream of the Denny Road bridge over the Trinity. Look for the Hawkins Bar River Access signs on Highway 299 at the dirt road down to this river bar; it is a few hundred feet west of the Rock Slide Bar & Grill.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAbout a dozen folks turned out to keep the Cali Burn Fest tradition alive! Clean lines were had in several craft types - creek boats, half slice, playboat, R1 rafting and spud IK. We saw bears kingfishers eagles and returning salmon! Another dozen folks hiked into the falls to spectate. Rocco Russo filmed and his YouTube channel has excellent drone and head cam footage of each rapid.
Exiting the left chute of Upper Falls (rafts fit too)
Raft entering the final drop of Middle Falls
Whitewater leading to the final drop of Upper Falls
Entering the left chute - final drop of Upper Falls
Final Drop of Lower Burnt Ranch Falls
Maneuvering in the second drop of lower falls at about 900cfs
about 900 cfs
Looking at the river from the road