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Description
The Upper Main Eel is a unique run in a beautiful and wild canyon upstream of Lake Pillsbury. It features fun rapids, a mandatory portage, and variable gradient all the way from 35 to 199 feet per mile. Start early: this is a long day trip and there's a fine-mile paddle out across Lake Pillsbury to get to a reasonable take-out at Sunset Campground. Alternate take-outs are Pillsbury Pines Day Use Area, Navy Campground, or Fuller Grove Campground.
Following the planned removal of PG&E's Scott Dam as early as 2028, this run will likely be extended to take out on the river downstream of the site of Scott Dam.
Additional Info
Menton, D. (2016). *The New School Guide to Northern California Whitewater*, p. 220.
Holbek, L., & Stanley, C. (1988). *The Best Whitewater in California* (3rd ed.), p. 12.