Middle Fork Yuba River - Upper
|
| Put-in: |
Plumbago Crossing |
| Take-out: |
Route 49 Bridge |
| Difficulty: |
Class III to IV+ @ 600 - 1,200 cfs, IV to V @ 1,200 - 2,000 cfs
|
| Length: |
21.7 miles |
Tributary - Fordyce Creek
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| Put-in: |
Fordyce Lake |
| Take-out: |
Lake Spaulding |
| Difficulty: |
Class IV, V
|
| Length: |
12 miles, 2 miles on lake |
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The North Fork Yuba gushes through the heavily forested Tahoe National Forest down a steep canyon, fed by the snowmelt of the Sierra Buttes. This region gets a large amount of rainfall, and this, combined with the high elevation, creates a unique alpine lushness rarely seen in the rivers of Sierra Nevada. The scenery is characterized by mossy rocks, and stands of pine, fir, and cedar.
There are a number of different runs for intermediate to expert boaters on the North Fork Yuba. The famous Downieville run is an experts-only stretch with one Class IV and V after another. A slightly easier stretch is the section after Goodyears Bar with a more moderate gradient and Class III and IV rapids, although boaters might consider a portage around Maytag (Class V).
Highway 49 runs close by both these routes, offering great access and easy shuttling, but not all rapids can be seen from the highway, making scouting a challenge.
There is one more opportunity farther down to run the North Yuba after Carlton Campground, a six-mile stretch of Class IV and IV+ that runs to the New Bullards Bar Reservoir. The problem with this run though, is that there are no roads where the river meets the flatwater, so boaters have to plan for a 12-mile paddle out, or a tow across the reservoir.
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