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Rapid CA Class I

Rattlesnake Bend, aka Beginner's Gold

Merced - 7) Merced Falls to Snelling Diversion Dam (CA)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
Merced River below Merced Falls DAM near Snell CA Upstream Primary
Runnable: ? – ? CFS

Approximate - nearest available gauge. Use as general reference only.

Data from American Whitewater & USGS
CDEC Flow Data California
MERCED RIVER POH Primary
Elevation: 3,862 ft
MERCED RIVER HIB Primary
Elevation: 4,016 ft
MERCED RIVER MLK Primary
Elevation: 7,300 ft
Data from California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)
Photo
Rattlesnake Bend, aka Beginner's Gold
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

The rapid starts by dropping down to the left towards the cliff.   The cliff pushes the flow sharply back around to the right.   A few boulders along the bank increase the interestingness.   Novice kayakers or canoers without any boat control at all, could easily tip here.   Those with even modest experience should find this an enjoyable change from the flatwater. 

 

Kayakers with small playboats may find some play action in the eddylines and in the rapid itself.

 

This rapid is easily scouted on river right.  

Location
Type
Rapid
Difficulty
Class I
Mile Marker
1.5 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
7) Merced Falls to Snelling Diversion Dam
Merced
I 3.5 mi
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater