Feather, S. Fork

There is new wood everywhere in the run below the first gorge. All of it is passable, but much of it is in play. I'd estimate at least 15 pieces needed to be actively avoided or forced a change to the line. With all the dead wood from the fire, it's likely that the wood will get worse over the next few years.

We had 2 swims under logs. Approach with caution.

While a more advanced crew did the whole run, Jordan R. & I followed the instructions of Darin McQuoid (http://darinmcquoid.com/sffeatherL.html) to reach the 3-mile Class III section at the end of this run. Something I'd add, is to leave the Quincy La Porte Road at Google Map location 39.65722789965532, -121.01262924130909, and take the well-maintained fire road. You can head to the take-out and put-in from there. Regarding the put-in, once we got to a closed gate, we left the car and carried the boat down the overgrown trail after the gate, and then at some point, we left the trail and bushwhacked down. But we should have stayed on the overgrown trail much longer until we get 100 yards away from the river. We reunited with the crew running the upper section at our hike-in put-in (by luck), and we all took out at the Diversion Dam. The class III was lovely, even considering the damage of the recent fire, but watch out for wood in the river. Parking at put-in and take-out is tight.

For a much better descripting of this river that is not super outdated I recommend you go to this site for good info, beta and pictures
http://www.kayakphoto.com/darinmcquoid/sffeather.html

> Because water was held in storage longer at Little Grass Valley this summer, releases beginning August 17 and continuing through the end of September will be in the boatable range. The planned schedule we have received from PG&E is as follows:
> August 17 – begin ramping from 100 cfs to 250 cfs. Hold 250 cfs through September 1.
> September 2 – ramp from 250 cfs to 300 cfs and hold at 300 cfs throughout September. This will take Little Grass Valley to its end of September elevation of 5,022 feet, keeping the boat ramps at the reservoir in service until the end of the month.

> The 300 cfs flow will probably continue into October as the fall drawdown begins. I will let you know the updated flow schedule as we get closer to October.

> Can you please add to the flow information posted that campgrounds at Little Grass Valley begin closing after Labor Day, although many stay open through the middle of September. The Sly Creek Campground will be closed on October 1.

> Thanks for posting the information.

> Kathy Zancanella
> South Feather Water and Power Agency

The bad sieve is straight ahead in the background.

This is the last of three significant rapids above Post Creek.
Nice Drop below Trash Can Falls

This is the first significant rapid is in the the third gorge. (aka. Post Creek Gorge)
This log is a good landmark. It marks the end of the Post Creek Gorge. There is a trial on river right. It's not obvious at river level but if you climb up the rock promintory on river right and keep your eyes peeled you should be able to find the trail that will take you up to a road. This road will take you out of the canyon to Lumpkin Ridge road. This road sees a bit of traffic so in case of an emergency, one could hike up to Lumpkin Ridge and flag down some help. Otherwise it's mabe 6 miles back to the LGV Dam and then another mile or two to some cabins along the lake.
This is a tricky little rapid. It's the first significant rapid in the Post Creek Gorge (third Gorge). It has a weird fold in the entrance and if you don't make the move you'll end up 'Posted' against the right wall. Enter with bow left and bust across the fold.
This rapid is a good one to take a look at. The move is to boof off a the flat pour-over rock left of center. Then bust through a couple more stout holes.
Run It left to right and keep your nose up!
Portage on the Right
A little boat retrieval after getting stuffed.
There is a bad log in this channel. Portage right side.
Making the Left Over Postage
Rusty Sage running on the only known run of trash can falls. He broke his boat on this run. Portage recommended.
A drop in the middle of the second gorge.