Susan

Season: Boatable flows extend from March to August with occasional storm flows occurring in the late fall and winter that create short runable opportunities for experienced boaters.

Description

This is a 6.5 mile Class II to III run with two portages except in high water when the portages can be run as Class IV to V drops, subject to volume and debris hazards. The two Class IV to V drops are approximately 1.75 and 3 miles downstream from the put in at the Highway 36 bridge at Devil’s Corral. Natural woody debris in the river and stream side brush, roots and low tree limbs create ever present obstacles and “strainers” to avoid in this narrow river channel and therefore, scouting rapids is a must as difficulty increases and where visibility is limited. The Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail (a rail trail) parallels the river through the Susan River Canyon along this entire segment of the river providing an excellent scouting route and portage path when needed.

Boaters pass through beautiful scenery of the east slope of the Sierra and Cascade Mountains, underneath eight steel railroad bridges and by two RR tunnels built in 1913 which are part of the abandoned Fernley and Lassen Branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad, now the Bizz Johnson Trail.

Inner tubers are the primary floaters of the river, floating mainly in the late spring and summer time. Kayakers also run the river and enjoy the mixture of whitewater and scenic beauty when flows are suitable. This segment of the Susan is not suitable for inexperienced whitewater paddlers using conventional open canoes due to the many natural hazards and narrow channel.

Logistics

The put in for the 6.5 mile Devil's Corral to Susanville run is directly below the California State Highway 36 bridge at Devil's Corral. River access is available via an old highway segment that turns off the north side of Highway 36, 1/4 mile west of the

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