| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 3.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Merced at Red Bud |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 30, 2026 |
On Friday, April 24, 2015 the Merced River in Yosemite National Park was officially reopened to paddlers. This reopening was the culmination of seven years of sustained engagement by American Whitewater with the National Park Service and other stakeholders in this process. Allowing paddling was a tiny, yet important [...]Read More
YOSEMITE PARK BOUNDARY TO THE HWY 140 BRIDGE (Park Boundary/Crane Creek)
While in past years this stretch may not have been commonly run, a group of core paddlers has recently been flocking to this stretch for its continuous IV/V rapids and easy roadside access. Paddlers put in river right near the wooden Yosemite National Park sign, paddling either to the 140 bridge (2 miles), or down to Redbud (4 miles). The first three rapids of the run are referred to as 'Park Boundary' (IV/V) with the inflow of Crane Creek from river right marking the start of the lower 'Crane Creek' (IV+) section.
Park Boundary consists of two long rapids. The action begins right off the bat with 8 Boof, a rapid that lives up to its namesake. Following 8 Boof, paddlers will float past the Yosemite View Lodge, often receiving odd looks and the occasional wave from tourists enjoying their hotel balconies. After a right hand bend, the action picks up with Cascade, a long rapid that culminates in a 6 foot boof known as Sasquatch. Prior to the Sasquatch boof, Cascade's signature double hole has been known to dish out some beatings. Scouting 8 Boof and Sasquatch from the road are recommended, while Cascade is a little bit more difficult to see, but can be scouted from river level (river right).
Once at the inflow of Crane Creek from the right, the gradient eases as the Crane Creek section begins. This section is characterized by long, continuous rapids, and is great fun at higher flows. Rapids like Juicer, Triple Drop, and Gorilla are fun IV to IV+ rapids that require good read and run skills.
The minimum flow for Park Boundary is considered around 600-700 CFS on the upstream Pohono Bridge gauge, but feels appropriately IV/V at 1,200 cfs (a happy medium).
Access Logistics
Put In: Yosemite National Park Sign
Take Out: There
...Wave to the tourists (and sometimes answer silly questions) while taking the 27 walk down to the water.
8 Boofs, try and get them all! Harder as flows get higher.
The river braids - take the left channel to reach Cascade, which ultimately ends in the Sasquatch boof.
The highway 140 bridge provides an access point and a transition to slightly easier rapids. The rapids start off immediately, are big, and with little space in between them.
Takeout on river right to cut the BS and just run laps on Park Boundary/Crane Creek. Though short (20 minutes), just paddling this stretch is a ton of fun.