Trinity, East Fork of North Fork

Me (packraft), Diana (hardshell), and Wilder (hardshell) paddled the EFNF on the MLK holiday. Flows were definitely higher than I had done it before (285 cfs). We put-in at the bridge at Barney Gulch, and encountered a river-wide log about 6' above the water around the first bend in the river. We portaged through some brambles on river right. There wasn't an eddy on the otherside so it was straight into the flow. The river makes a sharp left, then a rapid appears with wood strainers on the right side of the entrance. We got out to scount since it was hard to see the end of the rapid. There was some wood at the bottom, which was easy to avoid but would be dangerous for a swimmer. We noticed a footpath on river right leading down from the road. So if you park a couple bends in the river before the bridge, you could walk down and avoid the worst wood hazards of the run. One of the bigger rapids in the middle of the run had a log in the water at the end, which again was easy to avoid but would be hazardous to a swimmer. The run is rated III+ at these flows, which I agree with. Although the whitewater isn't particularly difficult, the swift flows make it harder to boat scout the corners and being able to quickly catch small eddies is important. Overall we had a great day!

Packrafting EFNF Trinity at 285 cfs