Burnt Ranch Gorge - Trinity River


Met up with some AWW guides and eventually a few more people for a run on BRG. The flow was a medium 1500cfs that proved to be great. Parties involved were Joe and Katie from AWW and Ethan in the raft, and Davy from AWW kayaking, as well as Aisha and Bret, two Trinity River Rangers. We also met up with Nate from NC, who is doing a summer long car trip, and his first run in California. The first few miles went fast, with Aisha leading us down all the lead in rapids, until the raft crew got out to scout #1. One notable change was in “Everyone’s Favorite Rapid aka Afternoon Delight” in which a rock moved and a huge lateral is nonexistent, making it much easier. All the kayakers waited either halfway down #1 in eddies or at the bottom. This was Joe’s first V, and ended up being a little rough but ok, they ended up hanging up on rocks at the top of Jaws but eventually got down it straight. After that we all got out to scout #2, which one in the party walked and the rest had clean lines down the center boof and right channel. (Above) Aisha melts through the bottom of #2



(Above) Nate getting his boof on in #2 with Aisha and Bret below.
Nate running the bottom of #2 while Aisha and Bret look on.


The raft followed the same line and it went quite well for them.





We scouted #3 for a while and took quite a break, with Aisha leading the way when we were back on the water. His line looked great from the top, he made it through the fold well and it looked like he punched through the hole.


Bret was following about 30 yards behind, and when he was right above the big hole Aisha was still recirulating in the hole/room of doom on river left. Aisha said he rolled about 8 times before flushing, but made it out in his boat.



The raft had a great line with no swims or mishaps, followed by a nice line by Nate.


Video of Nate cleaning the bottom of #3

The raft above #3 with #2 and the bottom of #1 in background


My line was ok with two rolls, one narrowly avoiding the room of doom recirc. We stopped at a play spot somewhere above New River for about ten minutes, after that the rest of the rapids went well, some surfing done by Nate and Davy in Origami, and a dump from the raft at Table Rock, thankfully below all hazards, one paddle was lost, and is probably still in a eddy near Table Rock. This is a great run and info can be found just about anywhere, most notably Holbeck & Stanley. If you kayak take out at Gray's Falls to avoid a long paddle out. I found 1500 to be easier than 1200, but then again it’s a year later with lots more experience for me as well. Thanks to everyone on the trip for a relaxed and fun day on the river.

Home Page