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Whitewater timing varies with scouting, portages, and group pace. Use as a planning baseline.

Description

This section is a nice float trip as the gradient is fairly low. However, much of the creek is lined thick with trees and brush. Logs and strainers in the fast current could be a problem along any part of the creek. Boaters should probably have excellent maneuvering skills, perhaps equal to class 2+ or class 3 whitewater skills before attempting this run. Paddling to the mouth is a great reward! Combine with the upper stretch for an overnight (never heard of anyone doing it, but I scoped a sandbar camping spot somewhere near the end of the upper run). Other Information Sources: - California Creekin - Carmel River Watershed Conservancy - Carmel River Steelhead Association - The Loma Prieta Paddlers club is centered in the San Jose area, but they have members in the Santa Cruz and Monterey/Carmel area.