Merced

YOSEMITE PARK BOUNDARY TO THE HWY 140 BRIDGE

Not very commonly run, especially after it got widened and changed significantly in January 1997. From Parkline to the Hwy 140 Bridge, it is continuous Class 4/5 with very few short breaks and only at lower flows. This is very boulder-y and wide.  There are large turnouts and convenient access to the river at the upstream end of the hotels.  This is right at the park boundary.  The river drops steeply behind the hotels then comes back next to the road at Crane Creek.  The gradient eases somewhat below Crane Creek.  The river is visible and accessible from the road through El Portal to just above the Highway 140 bridge where it is hidden but accessible in two short sections.

HWY 140 BRIDGE IN EL PORTAL TO THE FORESTA BRIDGE

Put in at the small parking spots on the down-canyon end of the bridge, better on the upstream (east/upcanyon lane) side of the bridge. There is room for 3 cars if all think/plan accordingly when parking on this side. Take-out at the Foresta Bridge/Red Bud site.

From the Hwy 140 Bridge in El Portal down past the NPS Admin, Maint, and sewer plant to the Foresta Bridge is about the farthest upstream segment that is commonly paddled. This run is almost instantly and continuously challenging with almost no room for a 'warm up,' and at most flows, few breaks or rest spots. Approx. 10 years ago a group of raft guides put in just above this run at relatively high flow and with only an hour or so of daylight left. Their raft flipped almost immediately, and the swimmers were swept a mile or more downstream through this section. One died.

This segment is best at flows from 1000 cfs to 4000 cfs or so; at some point in that range, it becomes essentially 3 or 4 long and continuous Class 4 rapids, with only a couple of very short breaks that can be missed as you go by. It doesn't let up until you get down close to Hwy 140 and the Sewer Plant. Above 50

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