| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 7.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 110 fpm |
| Gauge | Tuolumne River Below Confluence With Cherry Creek |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 5, 2026 |
Cherry Creek may be the most popular class 5 whitewater in California because it receives dependable flows from Holm Powerhouse most of the summer and sometimes in the fall and winter. Many people boat this reach week after week through the summer, learning every facet of every rapid.
The run typically begins at Holm Powerhouse on Cherry Creek proper, where cold snowmelt carries paddlers a short ways down to the confluence with the main Tuolumne. From here, the fun begins. Rapid after quality rapid come one after another, with short interspersed pools that provide much needed rest for the out of breath paddlers. As the California sun warms the canyon, paddlers enjoy the consistent and challenging rapids tucked into a remote river canyon. There are too many rapids to count - for the best experience, find a local to show you down.
Near the end of the summer there is an annual but informal Cherry Creek downriver race and party. Spectators and safety volunteers spread out along the race section and racers paddle as fast as they can down a section containing some of the major rapids. Dates for the race are usually announced on social media (facebook/instagram).
A note on flows: a typical summer release sees the water turning on around 7am and off at 11am. This means that the best time to put on is 8-9:30am, which gives the water enough time to advance downstream, but also ensures adequate time to move downriver. Water typically drops out at the takeout (Meral's Pool) around 1:15pm. Losing water on this run is more common than one would think, and results in an uncomfortably bony time moving downriver. As a general rule of thumb, aim to be at the bottom of Toadstool by at latest 10:30am.
Typical summer flows are around 1,100 to 1,200 cfs. Early in summer (June), flows can be slightly elevated. As flows rise to 2,000 cfs, the difficulty generally increases, but only slightly.
Access Logistics
...Middle, then right side. Multiple options. Leads right into the next rapid, Corkscrew.
A few options here, but most popular is the middle flake line. Can be retentive.
Long and a bit complex, with a several hazards river left at the top, and river right at the bottom.
Two lines here, left (freight train), or right (flake boof).
Either charge the holes on the right of the boulder, or fade off the flake left of the boulder.
Long. Starts left, then moves back to center. Watch out for the fairly large hole river center. Named after the last drop, which is blind. Don't worry, center of the channel and it'll all work out.
Fairly hazardous one move rapid that is also pretty weird. The hazards include the hole which comprises the main drop, as well as the sieves river left in the runout.
Named after a tight crevice between two boulders that is best avoided.
A great place to take a break, tucked away river left in an alcove. Aim to be here by at latest 11:30am on typical release flows.
A late boof over a ledge hole.
Quite a sticky hole, with a great story behind the name that is a little bit too long to share here.
A crowd favorite among many boaters, this rapid has a meandering lead in that culminates in a glorious ledge boof and fluffy runout.
Hazardous due to the hard to see sieve on the final drop. Best to finish just left of the large flat rock, river center.
Biggest drop on the river. Intimidating, but fairly clean.
Aug 20, 2025
Jan 1, 1900
Photo courtesy of and copyright by Brett Valle. Check out his excellent stuff in Boof.com.
Kevin Gregerson heading backwards toward the final drop of Lumsden Falls.
Brett comments that many paddlers spin out there, as did Kevin in the picture.
Photo courtesy of and copyright by Brett Valle. Check out his excellent stuff in Boof.com.