Cherry Creek, West Fork

This run is a classic California creek sliding over an open granite landscape, and is incredibly scenic. Doing this run requires a 2 mile hike in and a 3.5 mile paddle across the lake at the end. This run has numerous portages and demands continual scouting. It could be done in one very long day, but we were happy to hike in the day before and camp at the putin. The last two miles of whitewater are below the confluence with Upper Cherry Creek which usually runs around the same time.

This run is an hour from Tuolumne City. From Tuolomne City take FS14 towards Cherry Lake where the takeout is. To reach the putin go back on FS14, and take a right on FS31(3N01). After a few miles the road turns to dirt. Continue on this road for quite a while until you see a sign for Bourland Mountain or Box Spring Trailhead drive. Follow this road, and right before it crosses Bourland Creek, veer right. Park at the end of this road and hike ~2 miles on the most obvious trail over the ridge, across the wilderness boundary and down to the river.