Yuba

1. Englebright Lake to Parks Bar (Hwy 20)

December 14, 2022

Packraft-friendly winter run but No Trespassing issues remain

ReporterDup Crosson
Gauge Reading783 cfs at YUBA RIVER NEAR SMARTSVILLE
FlowLow Flow

My brother and I followed the advice of Dan Menten and Carson Watts who had done this section earlier this year and said access was no longer than issue. Not sure if the signs were put up after their trip, but the north side of the lake has multiple No Trespassing signs. We were committed to the trip at that point so did a quick scurry down the hill with our packrafts (and didn't see anyone), but this remains an issue.

The run below the dam is pretty, and I'm glad we did it, but the old reports have it about right. There's only like a quarter to half mile of Class III and a drop at the bottom that has some snag potential. We skipped it because of fading light but it's totally doable, just best to set safety from river left. Beyond that it's Class I-II. We successfully found a Lyft for shuttle but we almost had to bike, and there's certainly some elevation on Highway 20 to consider if you do that.

All in all, it's probably a run only for those folks constantly seeking new sections of river to paddle like me, in a forever drought...