San Joaquin

Campground at Kerchoff Reservoir. Picnic tables and pit toilets. No potable water. It is about a mile and three quarters down the reservoir to the dam. The scenery is nice and makes one wonder what the river canyon was like underneath the reservoir.

There is a dock on the left, that provides an easy take out.   However, this is PG&E property and the route around the left side of the dam on walkways and stairs is now fenced off.  This is off limits to boaters. Boaters could avoid PG&E property by bushwacking along a large pipeline, across a small drainage to eventurally connect with a trail that leads downstream.  The other option is to portage the right side (north side) of the dam.  There is no trail on a steep, rocky and brushy hillside.  Below the dam on the north side are broken cliffs, that will likely require rope work to descend.  The hillside on the north side of the dam is reportedly private property.

Launch wherever is convenient below the dam.   The eddy current in the pool at the base of the dam will be very strong.  Class 3 rapids start immediately and extend for 2/10 of a mile.   Though moderate these rapids will probably wake you up and give you a good sense of what is below.

640 feet elevation approximately

A long island divides the channel. Silt from the reservoir spills into the river and settles in the flat stretches of the first half of the run.  The silt provides footing for trees and brush.   Here the trees and brush grow completely across the river, though in a long, right to left diagonal.   The river has small openings at each end of the island.  The upstream opening is bigger and leads to a more gradual drop.   The downstream opening is very small and has a steeper more junky drop.

This is probably a class 3 to 3+ rapid.   Trees block the view at the top, but scouting is easy from either side.    There is a wide easy entrance through the trees then a couple of strong laterals slap you around.   There is a hole or pour over to avoid at the bottom

A private dirt road is visible on river right.

River starts bending to the south.

The river is gradually bending straight south.   I can't remember how big the rapid is, maybe class 3.

River heads slightly southwest.

River heads East. Numerous rapids.

First Five should be obvious by the steeper wall on the right and the huge boulders on the left.   The safest route is down the right, but it can get too junky as flows drop.   Portage around the boulders on the left.     There is a decent pool between here and El Limpo.

Big rapids start around this point. The second one is junky at lower flows and will be a portage for many boaters.   The rapid has several steep drops  with some constrictions in the first or second drop.    There is a low water portage route against the right wall that probably also serves as a high flow sneak route.

A big long rapid.  Scouting views can be had from both high on river right or left.  Left is more feasible.  The right side gives a more unobstructed view but requires good rock climbing skills.  Depending on flow and paddler, all or part may need to be portaged. Portage on river left with great effort. Sometimes only a portion needs to be portaged and that may be accomplished at river level.

Elevation approxitmately 720 feet.

The powerhouse is on river left and presents an escape route if needed. It can add another 850 to 1700 cfs into the K1 to K2 section if it is running. See the pictures and descriptions on that page.   A PG&E road leads down to the powerhouse, but it is gated at the top.   From the river up to the road is steep and awkward but short.  From the powerhouse up to the gate on the road is almost a half mile with a couple hundred feet of elevation gain.

640 feet elevation.

This powerhouse is underground so you will only see the outlet on the left and a road coming down to the top of this outlet.   You can duck under the fence at the left side of the outlet and walk up the road to the parking area.   The walking distance is about 3000 feet.   Alternatively you can hike up a fisherman's trail about 30 or 40 yards to the left (upstream) of the outlet.  The hiking distance is only about 700 feet, but its steep.  During most seasons when Patterson Bend is runnable, Millerton Reservoir will be high and you will be paddling on this lake by the time you reach here.