| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 8.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 137 fpm |
| Gauge | San Joaquin Chawanakee Gorge |
| Flow Rate as of 2 days | 0 cfsstale data |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 7, 2016 |
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
Chawanakee Gorge may be one of the best 1 day, class 5 runs in California or in the USA, or in the northern hemisphere according to some of a team of boaters in 2003, who paddled this section to study the recreational potential and quality of the river. Others in the group just said, 'Wow!' They reported that there are as many as 40 to 50 big drops in the 5.6 miles of river.
John Gangemi says, 'If the creation myth is true, then God was a boater! Boating just can't get much better than Chawanakee. Mix up 50-60 Class IV to V drops, smooth Sierra granite domes, tributary waterfalls tumbling 400 feet into the gorge, lots of house-size boulders, water and you've got a paddler's mecca.'
There were only a couple mandatory portages. All class 5 drops were potentially portagable, but some class 4+ drops might not have portage routes. Portages are sometimes over very large boulders. First potential portage is an island rapid at ~mi 1.5 where a metal staircase come down from river left. Beware the hole on the right channel and shallow rocks lurking in the landing of the left channel. Second, potential portage is a steeper series of drops (substantial backed up ledge hole followed by a choked up boulder garden (beware sieves) in a slight left bend in the river, approx .75 mi below the stairs. Third potential portage is a series of 3 drop pools. first is a pinch on the right with an ominous looking 'tombstone' leaning against the left wall. Fourth potential portage is very late in the run and is recognized by it's lack of boatable channels. NOTE: at flows above 600-700 beware of holes in constricted bedrock gorges.
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Though the river is pool drop at the optimum flow, the difficult rapids are unrelenting, with amazing class 5 drop after class 5 drop.
There is a very pretty bicycle ride along the rim of this gorge on a gated
...Apr 12, 2011
Taylor Cavin at 'Stairway to Heaven'