6) Pit 5: Pit 5 Dam to Pit 5 Powerhouse

The Pit 5 reach offers both a class III run and a Class IV run. The run has a remote wilderness appeal, with few roads and only a few structures along the way. The Class IV run begins just below at the newly constructed Madesi put-in below the Pit 5 Dam. The first rapid below the put-in is very brushy. This rapid can be avoided, with some effort, by putting in below. Shortly below this rapid is the one Class V rapid on the run. It is a chunky boulder-strewn affair, with a partial portage option on river left. From this point down to Big Bend the river is fairly continuous class III/IV. Be aware, that there are several braided sections where picking the correct channel is important. If you do not wish to paddle the class III section, you can take out at the bridge in Big Bend. The best take-out is just below the bridge on river right. The Class III section begins at the bridge in Big Bend. This is a nice class III section that can be run at the 400 cfs base flows. The first rapid below the Big Bend Bridge called 'Bad Alder' can be tricky, mainly because of vegetation encroachment. Shortly below this rapid there are several hot springs, all on river left.  The take-out is just at the Pit 5 powerhouse on river left. As part of the new license that American Whitewater worked to negotiate, releases for boating will occur in August and September on the Pit 5 reach. Realtime flow information is now available on the American Whitewater website. Also look to the release calendar under the flow section of this page for scheduled flow releases. Logistics To reach the Pit 5 take-out at the Pit 5 Powerhouse, take Hwy 299 East from Redding. About 4 miles past the small town of Montgomery Creek turn left on Big Bend Road. After traveling 14 miles on Big Bend road you will turn left on Pit 5 Powerhouse road. Continue down this road 4.3 miles. Just  past the bridge you will see a river access sign. The take-out is across the river from the James B. Black powerhouse. There is a large parking area and bathroom at the take-out. To reach the put-in, travel back out to Big Bend Road. Take a left and travel to the town of Big Bend if you wish to do the lower class III section of the Pit 5 reach. The put-in is on river right, just downstream of the bridge in Big Bend. To reach the put-in for the Class IV section take a right just before you reach Big Bend on Hagen Flat Road. Continue on this road for 2.8 miles until you see a sign for the Madesi River Access. Down this road a short distance you will find the river access, bathrooms, and camping. There is a store in Big Bend for ice and anything else that you might have forgotten. They also may have information on shuttle drivers. Other Information Sources: Pit-5, Upper  Awetstate guide Pit-5, Lower  Awetstate guide SIERRA WHITEWATER, MARTIN, 1974