San Joaquin
5. K1 to K2 (Kerckhoff #1 PH to Kerckhoff #2 PH)
| Difficulty | IV+ |
| Length | 1.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 55 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 5, 2020 |
Projects
The San Joaquin River is one of California’s most significant whitewater rivers, flowing from the high Sierra Nevada through the steep granite walls of the San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Area. It is also one of the most intensively developed hydropower rivers in the state. For over two [...]Read More
The BLM has determined that the San Joaquin River Gorge is eligible for inclusion the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
River Description
This short run is just the tail end of the Patterson Bend run, but the K1 parking lot provides a fairly convenient access point. In the past the K1 powerhouse would release up to 1750 cfs during the fall when the Kerchoff #2 powerhouse is shut off for maintanence. However, the K1 powerhouse is old and PG&E has chosen cease generation there. Now, when K2 is down for maintenance any flows in the river will be spilled from Kerchoff Dam at the top of the Patterson Bend Run. Boaters might still choose to do this short run if they have only a little time.
Getting there: From Fresno, take highway 168 into the foothills. Turn left on Auberry Road to the town of Auberry. In Auberry, veer left onto Powerhouse Road at a fork next to the school. From Auberry, follow Powerhouse Rd. just a few miles to a left turn onto Smalley Rd. There should be signs for the 'San Joaquin River Gorge Recreation Area' (SJRGRA) which is owned by the BLM. Follow Smalley Rd. to the very end which is the take-out. A gate and some parking areas indicate that you are on top of the underground Kerchoff #2 powerhouse. Walk down the river access trail if you wish to inspect the end of the run. This trail reaches the river near the top of the last rapid.
Put-in: From the take out parking at the end of the road, backtrack 1.5 miles and turn left at a junction. Immediately park at a parking area as the road may be gated just beyond. From here you must carry down to the old powerhouse. Carry around the first gate and follow the road towards some sheds, (1/4 mile). Just before the sheds another gate blocks a narrow road dropping off to the left down to the powerhouse (4/10 mile). From the parking lot at the powerhouse, descend next to the fence, then climb down an awkward 50 feet to the river.
If the gate is open, you can park near the visitor center, then hike
...River Features
Kerchoff #1 Powerhouse
The road to the powerhouse is usually gated. Even if it is not, don't park down there. Park at the main lot to the right of the main intersection. Carry 2/10 of a mile to the educational center then turn right down past another gate and go 4/10 of a mile to the powerhouse.
From the powerhouse parking area it is a short but steep and awkward carry down to an awkward launch point on the river. Ropes can be handy and will be necessary for rafts.
First rapid
Second rapid
The tailwaves of the first rapid extend very close to a big wide horizon line above this short but steep drop. The right and middle tend to be blocked by barely submerged rocks, or not submerged rocks at 900 cfs. A deep hole blocks the bottom left.
3rd rapid
Float through a pleasant maze of huge boulders till you come to an intimidating horizon line. Boulders block the channel, leaving a steep narrow chute on river right. Scout from river left. Run the middle of the tongue through the chute. Holes lie on both sides. The right side hole and eddy can potentially trap swimmers and gear. Rescue by rope can be necessary
Upper Falls
A huge boulder blocks the channel. At typical Fall flows of 1,800 cfs or less it is possible to scout and portage on river left. A tight tricky line can be boated around the right side of the boulder. The left side is a nasty siphon.
If Patterson Bend is running, it will be necessary to scout or portage on river right with much greater difficulty. Both sides of the boulder will have large holes, but boaters can boof off the boulder to skirt the edge of the right side hole.
Lower Falls
A cluster of boulders block the entrance to this long rapid. Scout river right. At typical Fall flows, it is fairly easy to get out and scout, but portage requires climbing over boulders, and then along an awkward cliff. The portage route basically ends a few feet before the rapid ends, so it takes creativity and courage to reenter a boat.. Good climbers can help others across to a ledge in the pool below. You should consider this rapid a mandatory run. The entrance is a short waterfall in the center. You can boof the left edge, but old timers just ran down the tongue and got away with it. There is a strong boil and outlflow which shoots you to the left.
Paddle across a short pool to the left channel and charge over a series of ledges. A very sticky hole occupies the right side of this channel at the bottom. Hit it on the left or swim. The right side channel looks ugly but has supposedly been run. The huge boulder seperating the channels at the bottom is completely undercut. The room visible underneath at fish flows is very big. If Patterson Bend is running it will not be easy to exit a boat and scout, so it may take a team effort to get one person out to where they can see the routes. Fortunately, at high flows, a clean route opens up against the left wall. Just stay in the chute against the left wall through the whole rapid.
5th rapid
6th rapid
Boat scoutable. A relatively long and straight chute piles into a big jagged boulder. It is easy to stay to the right, but exciting anyway.
7th rapid
This simple drop has a wide clean tongue.
8th Rapid
A cluster of boulders block the view, causing worry. Paddle to the first eddy and the rest of the rapid becomes visible. There can be some good play spots at the bottom of this rapid even for long boats. A small but retentive hole is on river left. The left edge of the nearby rock can provide nose stands for big boats.
Flat water leads around the corner towards Slalom rapid, but a little ways before there is a short drop past two holes. At some flows there is a decent surf wave below.
Kerchoff #2 powerhouse
Take out in the slackwater at the outlet from this underground powerhouse. Carry back upstream a short ways to either trails or the road leading up to the parking area. It is a steep tedious carry no matter what.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportIn this slideshow, Evan runs a right side sneak route at low water. The middle and left looked ugly at this flow.
To view the slideshow, click on the 'View Original ' button. Then click on 'Download unrecognized file type' button. Then the scroll wheel or the left & right arrow keys will step through the pictures in the slideshow.
Slideshow of Daniel running the center drop at the top and then, the bottom half, left chute.
To view the slideshow, click on the 'See the Original File' button. Then Click on the 'Download Unrecognized Resource' button. Use arrow keys or scroll wheel to step through the pictures.
Paul running the last portion of Lower Falls Rapid. There is a ledge hole at the bottom, just left of the large rock in the center channel. The left side of the hole flushes out.
The upstream view from the foot bridge at Squaw Leap Park.
A closer look at the rocks that are right above the powerhouse (put-in on Squaw Leap)--or very end of the Patterson Bend Run.
A look from the bottom of the Upper Falls and the river right channel. Its a pretty good drop. A look of the river wide hole is visible here. About 4300 cfs or so. We portaged this rapid on river left.
Evan's take of the 2nd Squaw Leap Falls. At the time we didn't know what the flow was. After this video was taken the river rose about another foot. And we later discoveried that the flow was closer to 4500 cfs, and peaked at about 4700 cfs.
Daniel Lundberg in the left chute of the 2nd Squaw Leap falls rapid. He is about to skirt the edge of the sticky hole in front of him.
Take this drop straight on, but boats do sometimes get flipped at the bottom.
At this low flow, the boat buried deep and I paddled hard to keep moving through.
Daniel Lundberg in the left chute of the 2nd Squaw Leap falls rapid. He is about to skirt the edge of the sticky hole in front of him.
Evan emerges from the entrance plunge, while Daniel watches. From here the route is to paddle past Daniel, then down the left side chute.
Evan running this Class IV with skills!