Middle Fork (Hospital Rock)
|
| Put-in: |
Hospital Rock |
| Take-out: |
Roadside 4.8 miles below put-in |
| Difficulty: |
Class V @ 400 - 800 cfs, V+ > 800 cfs
|
| Length: |
4.8 miles |
Middle Fork (Gateway Bridge)
|
| Put-in: |
Gateway Bridge |
| Take-out: |
Three Rivers |
| Difficulty: |
Class IV @ 500 - 1,000 cfs, IV+ > 1,000 cfs
|
| Length: |
6 miles |
|
The Kaweah (pronounced GA-we-hah) pours out of the gigantic 13,000-foot peaks of Sequoia National Park and flows for 20 miles down to Lake Kaweah, forming one of the steepest runs in the State of California. It is also one of the wildest, most demanding Class IV+ rivers in the state, and is recommended only for experienced boaters. The powerful hydraulics and tight slalom shoots require acute water reading skills and excellent maneuvering ability.
The river basin is in a broad, arid valley and was once inhabited by the Yokut people. They named the river Kaweah to mean “crow” or “raven cry” in their native language.
This river is easily accessible from Highway 198, which runs alongside the river, but is not intrusive. There is a six-mile expert section from the mouth of the East Fork to the mouth of the North Fork, which drops at an average rate of 70 feet per mile through continuous Class IV and Vs. After this section, the river mellows out for a few miles as it meanders through the town of Three Rivers. The rest of this section before the rapid known as Washing Machine (Class IV) provides ample opportunities for surfing and playboating, and lots of fun Class III rapids.
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