Kayaker’s Guide to the Tuolumne River (California)

Overview

Location: Sierra Nevada, east of Groveland, CA (Yosemite region)
Length: ~18 miles (Lumsden Campground to Wards Ferry Bridge)
Class: IV+ (with V sections), plus the ultra-classic Cherry Creek (Class V+)
Best Season: Spring and summer (snowmelt; regulated flows via Holm Powerhouse, usually May–September)
Best Flow: 800–4,000 cfs (1,000–3,000 cfs is most common)

Put-In: Lumsden Campground (accessed via steep dirt road off Ferretti Road, near Groveland)
Take-Out: Wards Ferry Bridge (remote, dirt road access)
Distance: ~18 miles (usually run as a full day or overnight)
Skill Level: Advanced to expert; solid Class IV+ at normal flows, with some Class V at higher water.

Rock Garden (IV)
- Boulder maze, technical start.
Nemesis (IV)
- S-turn, holes, and pour-overs.
Ram’s Head (IV)
- Big waves, challenging at higher flows.
Sunderland’s Chute (IV)
- Powerful drop, fun at all levels.
Sterns (V-)
- Technical boulder garden, scout recommended.
Clavey Falls (V)
- Signature rapid: 3-tiered drop, long technical entry, huge hydraulics.
- Scout on right (common portage for gear boats at high flows).
Turkey Hole (IV)
- Powerful hole, strong eddy lines.
Grey’s Grindstone (IV)
- Boulder garden, run center-right.
Surf City (IV)
- Play wave and technical moves.
Groveland Slide (IV)
- Fun slide with big water at higher flows.
Indian Falls (IV)
- Rocky drop, technical at lower flows.
Hell’s Kitchen (IV)
- Long, bouldery rapid.

Put-In: Holm Powerhouse
Take-Out: Lumsden Campground (merges with classic run)
Distance: 9 miles
Class: V+ (one of the hardest commercially run rivers in the U.S.)
Major Rapids: Mushroom, Airplane Turn, Coffin, Flat Rock Falls, Lewis’s Leap

Note: Cherry Creek is for Class V+/pro paddlers only—scout or portage as needed, ultra-committing canyon!

Private Boaters: Required year-round, free; register at Tuolumne River kiosk near Lumsden.
Commercial: Limited permits issued (outfitter spots book up fast in spring).

Check real-time flows: Dreamflows Tuolumne
Typical release schedule: Daily releases for summer, can be erratic after storms.

Steep, rough roads in and out—4WD recommended, especially after storms.
Shuttle time: ~1.5 hours each way, no cell service. Arrange cars in advance.

Lumsden Campground: Popular staging spot, first-come/first-served, right at put-in.
Groveland: Closest supplies (25–30 minutes up steep road).
Overnight trips: Several riverside campgrounds (North Fork, Clavey, Indian Creek).

Whitewater kayak or raft, helmet, PFD, paddle, throw rope, repair kit, dry bags, food, extra water (remote canyon!)
Wetsuit/drysuit for spring flows—water is cold

Day 1:

Meet at Wards Ferry Bridge, drop shuttle vehicle.
Drive to Lumsden, rig boats, sign in at kiosk.
Launch, run first several rapids.
Camp at North Fork, Clavey, or Indian Creek (with required fire permit if in season).

Day 2:

Rapid Name	Class	Notes
Rock Garden	IV	Boulder maze
Nemesis	IV	S-turn, pour-overs
Ram’s Head	IV	Big waves
Sunderland’s Chute	IV	Powerful drop
Sterns	V-	Technical, scout
Clavey Falls	V	Signature rapid, portage possible
Turkey Hole	IV	Powerful hole
Grey’s Grindstone	IV	Boulder garden
Surf City	IV	Play wave
Groveland Slide	IV	Fun slide
Indian Falls	IV	Rocky drop
Hell’s Kitchen	IV	Long, bouldery