American, South Fork

Thank you AW and SMUD for the releases this year - at 1000 cfs, this section of river is an absolute classic. Consistent gradient, fun rapids, and challening moves. I agree with most assessments of this river - a Chamberlain type IV boater might feel a bit overwhelmed in here (as I was last year), but any IV+ to V comfortable boater will have a blast.

Additional words here:

https://forestkan.substack.com/p/capturing-the-magic-routing-v

We ran the short section from Rock Creek to the skinny little pg&e trail river right. Just after the start there was a larger wave train rapid that was class 3 and then it was calmer for a while but with continuous easy fun rapids. Near the end of the section there was a more difficult longer rapid, with two channels. The left channel was a big fluffy mess, with lots of waves and holes  and on the right it was much easier, with less water going through it and at the end where there is a drop. However, if you don’t want to do either, you can scrape up the bottom of your boat on the left side of drop. Overall, this section was really fun and I would have enjoyed it more if I didn’t have to hike out on a really long, steep trail (please open the other road).

This run rarly runs,only in big water years,like this one!
Under the bridge this rapid is big!
This part of the river has some great play on it.

Slab Creek Dam spilling at 600 cfs on the first day of the flow study.

Southeastern boys Dave, Jerry & Earl (running right line on rocks in background) visit the majestic Sierra, here on the Slab Creek section. We were kinda lost on the way here, and stopped to ask directions. Guy looked at us and our boats, said: 'yew boyz class 5 kayakers?' then looking down and laughing, 'it's a frothy white pit.' Indeed it was! During shuttle, another guy comes up on a 4-wheeler, sawed-off shotgun on his lap. Inquiring as to the need for the weapon, he said 'mountain lions.' We wondered if it was to guard his nocturnal horticultural efforts.