Pigeon Point
|
| Put-in: |
Pigeon Point Campground |
| Take-out: |
Big Flat Campground |
| Difficulty: |
Class III+
|
| Length: |
5.2 miles |
Burnt Ranch Gorge
|
| Put-in: |
China Slide |
| Take-out: |
Hawkins Bar |
| Difficulty: |
Class V
|
| Length: |
8.5 miles |
Tributary - Coffee Creek
|
| Put-in: |
N.F. Coffee Creek Union |
| Take-out: |
Anywhere along the road |
| Difficulty: |
Class IV
|
| Length: |
6 miles |
Tributary - Canyon Creek
|
| Put-in: |
Bridge 8.5 miles upriver from Junction |
| Take-out: |
Junction City |
| Difficulty: |
Class III -IV @ 400-1,000 cfs, III-IV+ @1,000-2,000 cfs
|
| Length: |
8.5 miles |
North Fork Trinity River
|
| Put-in: |
Hobo Gulch |
| Take-out: |
Bridge on Hobo Gulch Road |
| Difficulty: |
Class IV, V
|
| Length: |
14 miles |
Tributary - New River - Upper Run
|
| Put-in: |
East Fork Confluence |
| Take-out: |
Denny |
| Difficulty: |
Class III to IV @ 300 - 800 cfs, IV to V- @ 800 - 2,000 cfs
|
| Length: |
4.5 miles |
Tributary - Hayfork Creek - Upper Gorge
|
| Put-in: |
Gemmill Gulch Picnic Ground |
| Take-out: |
East Fork Hayfork Creek |
| Difficulty: |
Class III to IV+ @ 500 - 1,000 cfs, IV to V @ 800 - 1,000 cfs
|
| Length: |
5.7 miles |
South Fork Trinity River - Lower Run
|
| Put-in: |
Big Slide Campground |
| Take-out: |
Low Water Bridge |
| Difficulty: |
Class III to IV+ @ 700 - 1,200 cfs, IV to V @ 1,200 - 2,000 cfs
|
| Length: |
17 miles |
|
The Trinity River rises 20 miles west of Mount Shasta near the headwaters of the Sacramento, Shasta and Scott Rivers. The Trinity and its forks offer a wide array of paddling experiences for everyone from the novice open canoer, to the expert Class V kayaker. There are good campsites along the river for overnight rafting adventures, as well as many opportunities for challenging day-runs farther down river. Of all the rivers in California’s coastal range, the Trinity has been most altered by mining and damming operations, however, today it is protected by the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and provides a fascinating peak into California’s mining history.
It is called the Trinity because the man who named it, Pierson B. Reading, mistakenly thought it flowed into Trinidad Bay. He discovered gold in the river and by 1851, there were 10,000 miners digging in this region. Later, mining operations including hydraulic blasting and dredging, and finally the river was dammed in several places in the 50s and 60s, and it continues to be used for energy and irrigation to this day.
The Pigeon Point section of the Trinity River the perfect whitewater adventure for families and beginning boaters. This run features gorgeous side creeks, big sandy beaches and some exciting Class III rapids, with opportunities for both salmon and steelhead fishing. Paddlers can expect to see an array of wildlife including eagles, deer, hawks, osprey, herons, and kingfishers, along with otter, mink and even bears.
Many claim the Trinity River is best downstream as it leaves behind most of the remnants of the mining era and flows through a lush, steep-walled canyon. The Burnt Ranch Gorge is considered one of the best expert (Class V) runs in the country and gushes through a huge granite intrusion that is accessible only by boat.
The South Fork of the Trinity at Big Slide is an exotic stretch of the river known for its remote local that promises a true wilderness experience through a wild, rugged canyon.
Finally, the Lower Trinity offers lush mountain scenery similar to that of the Lower Klamath with some sections of wilderness. It also passes by the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation, (93,000 acres!) which is the largest in the State of California. This is a great stretch for canoers and kayakers who are looking for a mellow river experience. This run is known to have strong upstream winds, making it a more challenging option for rafters.
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