Sycamore Creek

Sycamore is a small junky, brushy, pretty creek that is fun to boat on a cold rainy day. It is busy so you stay warm paddling. It is a narrow canyon, so there is little wind. It is fairly close to Fresno, so the drive is not too long. It is short, so you get home in time for an early supper. The main gorge is very pretty, and there are a number of good play spots.

Take-out: Take Trimmer Springs Rd. around Pine Flat reservoir towards the Kings River. Pass Trimmer Springs to the first major cove in the reservoir. This is formed by Sycamore creek. Park on the east side of the bridge. The rapid visible from this bridge is the biggest of the run and is not characteristic of the run. This final rapid is easily scouted or portaged on a dirt road on river left.

Put-in: Return to Trimmer Springs, then turn right on Maxon road. Drive over the hill into the Watts Creek drainage. Launch anywhere on Watts Creek and scrape down to the confluences of Little Dry Creek and Sycamore Creek.

With the combined waters of three small creeks, the flow changes to fast and pushy. There are several beautiful bedrock drops shortly after the confluence with Sycamore creek. Several good plays spots are also in this area.

Much of the creek seems to be long, continuous, low gradient, but fast, braided rapids. Long islands of brush thickets seperate the channels which divide and come together randomly. The bravest boater takes the lead probing for the clearest channel, while the rest hang back ready to drive into a bush in lieu of non-existant eddies. Fortunately the channels always seem to have a clear exit. These channels usually seem to be very shallow as well, which is why this creek is best at high flows.

There are two class 5 rapids near the middle of the run. The first is really just a nasty constriction which should be avoided. A tight sneak is usually available against the left wall, otherwise it is a somewhat awkward porta

...