Overview
- Location: Sierra Nevada, west of Yosemite National Park
- Length: ~16 miles of classic whitewater (Red Bud to Bagby)
- Class: III–IV (can be IV+ at high water)
- Season: Spring (April–June, snowmelt dependent)
- Best Flow: 800–3,000 cfs (optimum for kayaks/rafts: 1,200–2,500 cfs)
- Character: Big-volume, pool-drop river with long wave trains, beautiful scenery, and easy roadside access along Hwy 140.
Popular Whitewater Section
Red Bud Picnic Area to Bagby Recreation Area
- Put-In: Red Bud Picnic Area (about 6 miles west of El Portal, on Hwy 140)
- Take-Out: Bagby Recreation Area (where Hwy 49 crosses the Merced, just above Lake McClure)
- Distance: ~16 miles
- Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced (Class III–IV)
Shorter Runs Possible:
- Red Bud to Briceburg (8.5 miles)
- Briceburg to Railroad Flat (3 miles, intense Class IV, optional)
Major Rapids (in River Order)
- Edge of the World (III–IV)
- Early technical rapid, usually run on the right.
- Ned’s Gulch (III+)
- Long rapid with rocks, pushy current.
- Split Rock (IV)
- Powerful drop, big waves; scout at high flows.
- Percolator (III+)
- Fun, continuous waves and holes.
- Ned’s Nosedive (IV)
- Steep drop, scout at high water.
- Cable Car Rapid (III)
- Named for the old cable crossing.
- Briceburg Put-In (mid-run access)
- Good spot to launch or break.
- Corner Pocket (IV)
- Tight, technical, big waves—one of the hardest on the run.
- Gauging Station (III)
- Fun wave trains, straightforward.
- Split Rock #2 (IV)
- Big water, scout if unfamiliar.
- Corner Pocket II (III+)
- More technical moves before the gradient eases.
Access Points & Directions
- Red Bud Picnic Area:
Park, pit toilets, limited day-use. Hwy 140 west from El Portal. - Briceburg:
Day-use parking, restrooms, historic bridge, BLM campground. - Railroad Flat Campground:
BLM, day use, camp, popular mid-take-out. - Bagby Recreation Area:
Final take-out, just upstream of Lake McClure.
Trip Planning Tips
1. Flows & Timing
- Check real-time flows: Dreamflows Merced
- Best time: Peak snowmelt, typically late April–early June. Season may be shorter or longer depending on snowpack.
2. Permits & Fees
- No permits required for private boaters.
- Parking/camping fees at some BLM sites (Briceburg, Railroad Flat, Bagby).
3. Shuttles
- Easy roadside shuttle: Hwy 140 parallels the river nearly the whole way.
- Drive time: Red Bud to Bagby ~30 minutes; set shuttle vehicle at take-out.
4. Gear
- Whitewater kayak, paddle, helmet, PFD, drybag, throw rope, repair kit, water, snacks
- Wetsuit or drysuit for spring—water is cold!
5. Safety
- Scout: Edge of the World, Split Rock, Corner Pocket—major rapids can change with flows and floods.
- Group travel recommended—remote stretches, cold water, difficult rescues.
- Watch for strainers and logs—can appear after big winters.
- Tell someone your plan.
6. Camping
- Briceburg BLM: Walk-in riverfront sites, pit toilets.
- Railroad Flat BLM: More remote, also on river, pit toilets.
- No camping at Red Bud or Bagby.
Sample Itinerary
- 8:30 am: Meet at Bagby, leave a shuttle vehicle.
- 9:30 am: Put-in at Red Bud Picnic Area.
- Morning: Warm up, scout key rapids.
- Midday: Lunch at Briceburg, refill water.
- Afternoon: Paddle to Bagby, take out before lake.
Local Resources & Further Info
Rapid Reference Table
| Rapid Name | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Edge of the World | III–IV | Early technical drop |
| Ned’s Gulch | III+ | Continuous, pushy |
| Split Rock | IV | Big drop, scout |
| Percolator | III+ | Waves and holes |
| Ned’s Nosedive | IV | Steep, technical |
| Cable Car | III | Mellow, scenic |
| Corner Pocket | IV | Tight, technical |
| Gauging Station | III | Waves, fun |
| Split Rock #2 | IV | Big water |
| Corner Pocket II | III+ | Final technical section |