This run started with a bit of craziness.  We were at the put in at Washington, a old mining town.  This group of local folks came up, and decided it would be a good idea if one of them jumped off "Deadman’s Drop."  This was a 30-40 foot high ledge into the river.  Sure enough, in steel toed boots and jeans, this guy launched into the freezing cold South Fork 5 minutes later.  This was after he cleared the snow off the jumping rock.  Crazy stuff.

Washington locals know a good time...

There was snow on the beach at the put in as we slid out into the emerald green Yuba Water.  The water flows downstream from the Lake Spaulding Dam. 

The put in beach... the jumping rock is across the river from here

There is a bridge at the put in, and the first four rapids are Class IV.  The first is a long steep boulder garden that is one of the harder rapids on the run.  The next few are difficult, but this is not the tone of the run, just the start.  There is a nice sliding rapid where the river drops steeply, run right to center. 

Daniel runs the slide rapid.

There was a canoe washed up on the shore of the river.  Whoever lost this must be missing it. 

 The river is mostly forested in a deep valley with some canyon sections.  It is really beautiful and has some fun rapids, but is mostly easy class III.  There was a fun chute somewhere in here that drops about 7 feet.  Run center.

Daniel runs the chute.

About 6 miles in is the first gorge.  The river narrows and the walls close in for about a mile.  We stopped in here for lunch and laid on the hot rocks in the sun.  Epic California boating. 

The first gorge where we stopped for lunch.  Beautiful day.

Below the canyon there was a boulder garden that is Class IV and difficult to scout.  It can be run anyway you want, but the center line is probably the best.  Boof hard over the hole in the middle near the bottom.

About 1 mile down from there is a large creek entering from the right side.  On our trip this creek was running very dirty, and changed the entire color of the river from emerald green to murky brown.  It was reminiscent of the Colorado and Little Colorado confluence. 

There is a rapid right around the next corner pushing Class IV.  The crux is cruising past a hole near the top that goes from the left wall to half way across the river.  You can punch the hole, but it is pretty sticky.  About 1 mile down from the creek entering is the only portage on the trip.  The drop is about 12-14 feet and is portageable on the left.  The waterfall looked good to go, but had some gnarly looking consequences.  We sent a log down the right flake and it emerged at the bottom having run a seemingly perfect line. 

Paul probing the falls.  The log ran the perfect line off the right flake and into the pile.

200 yeards below the waterfall portage is Whirlpool, Class IV-V.  Someone drown in this rapid in 1996, so take a look if you’re not sure.  There is a eddy on the left above the drop, but you are committed to running it from here.  There is also an eddy on the right behind the large boulder for those who want to portage.  This eddy is a must make, otherwise you will got blown over the drop into the rapid.

The boats on the right are portaging.  The whirlpool is on the left side in the rock alcove.  Run center and don't swim.

Paul, Daniel, and Beth cruise down the second gorge.

Paul and I linked this run with Edwards to Purdons Crossing below. 

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