River Runs: Cherry Creek (Class V Whitewater Kayak Summer 2024)

Whitewater Images presents: River Runs: Cherry Creek (Class V Whitewater Kayak Summer 2024)

Join me on an exhilarating journey down the Cherry Creek section of the Upper Tuolumne River, California, renowned as one of the most challenging and technical Class V whitewater runs in the U.S. This adventure features a Cherry Creek training day with Sierra Mac River Trips, showcasing the thrilling and technical rapids that this river section offers.

Trip Highlights:

First Time on Cherry Creek: An intense and exciting first run with Sierra Mac guides Tom, Adam, and Jeff.

Mushroom Rapid: A memorable moment capsized at Mushroom, one of the river's most challenging rapids.

Richard's Hole: Swimming through Richard's Hole, adding to the adventure.

Portaging Lumsden: Navigating the tricky portage around Lumsden Falls, a 30-foot drop

Technical Rapids: Experience some of the most technical rapids, such as Corkscrew, Jawbone, and the Miracle Mile, a continuous mile of Class V whitewater dropping 200 feet in elevation.

Comparing to Other Runs:
Having previously kayaked the Green River Narrows in North Carolina, Cherry Creek stands out for its steep gradient, narrow channels, and numerous boulder gardens, making it an unmatched whitewater experience​.

Special thanks to Sierra Mac River Trips and their experienced guides, as well as John Moore and Mark Musgrove for their helpful reference videos.

I’ll be photo boating on the Main Tuolumne and Cherry Creek for the rest of the season if everything aligns.

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Additional Information:
Cherry Creek, part of the Tuolumne River, offers a thrilling and technical whitewater experience, best suited for experienced paddlers. This 8.6-mile run, known for its steep gradient and challenging rapids, provides an adrenaline-pumping adventure through the beautiful and rugged scenery just outside Yosemite National Park​​. The rafting season typically runs from July to early September, with flows controlled by dam releases, making mid-summer an ideal time for these runs​​.

For more information about this run, check out detailed guides and trip reports.