Some Urban Paddling
On Saturday, February 28, my son and I canoed Santa Rosa Creek from Pierson Street in Santa Rosa (a couple of blocks upstream of Dutton) to Willowside Road.

The run started out nice enough. I wouldn’t want to make the run again much below the flow we had – 100 cfs, but the rocks we did hit were soft and smooth – moss and weed covered. The only drop of note is a creek wide weir-like structure at the Stony Point Road Bridge. At higher levels it might actually be a roller to watch for. Otherwise, at higher levels there probably would not be any obstacles to speak of, or any tight turns.

After we crossed under Fulton Road, however, things changed a bit. More maneuvering was required around brush and stumps. At higher water levels, this may not be such a problem. But, by the time we passed the confluence of Piner Run, the brush got thicker and we had to thread our way through trees and brush. I must have not paid attention on my bike trail scouting done the day before. The very last mile above Willowside Road was pretty bad; we were tempted to abort the paddling, but that would have meant carrying on the bike trail – I wish I had brought my portage wheels. There was much slow going under branches and through brush. A higher water level would not have helped in this part; and, in fact, may have presented severe strainer hazards. Next time, I will consider putting in upstream of Pierson Street, (perhaps at Rae Park?) and taking out at Fulton. That would be a total urban paddling section …

We saw many ducks, a few egrets and a kingfisher, but I was surprised at all the trash we could see from the canoe. Much of it is apparently not visible from the bike trail . Plastic bags and other trash was up in the weeds – mainly stuck on briars – everywhere. It would take pruning and several canoes to remove all the trash.

Dave Coleman Forestville

(Note: this is a report George wrote several years ago about the Trinity. He has another Trinity trip coming up. Check the Activities Page.)

Hi All,
A few notes on my Trinity trip. Drove as far as Eureka Saturday night and got a good rest and headed into the mountains Sunday A.M. Drove for two hours as the scenery became more and more dramatic and beautiful, despite the obvious clearcutting of the once towering redwoods in bold scars across the face of the steepening range.

I arrived at my campground and was greeted by name, as the gal remembered me from last year. I found to my delight that I was to be the only resident for a few days. As I finished setting up my tent next to the river, the sky turned gray and the wind came up, bringing in the most delightful hailstorm! I had set up my hammock under two trees and settled into it and enjoyed the show until dark, then to bed on my thick foam pad in my truck, letting the rain soothe me to sleep.

Monday: I drove to Weaverville for gas and a look around at junk stores. From there I saw that the storm had dusted the top of Mt. Lassen with an unseasonal mantle of snow, the perfect topping on this wilderness cake! On the way back to camp, I was seduced by a few ideal fishin' holes and stopped to give the Rainbow Trout a shot at me. Made it back to camp in time to finish a book before darkness closed the cover on the day.

Tuesday: Up early for breakfast at the cafe and a little chat with the locals, loggers and miners, mostly, and a few truckers who wrestle the mountain road from coast to valley and back. Tossed my bike in the truck and drove 10 miles downstream, left the truck and rode back to camp, strapped on my tape player, hopped in my kayak, cranked up Ian Anderson's "12 Dances with God" and slipped into some of the most entertaining and inspiring Class 2 water on earth!

As I closed in on my take out point, after about 4 hours, the wind rose up again, wild and strong. It began to blow me hard across the rapids and I soon began to appreciate that I had my paddle designed with a wind-cutting angle of 85 degrees. My truck came into view after the perfect "warm up" day. After meditation at camp, I began to boil up some ramen and dig out some fruit. The wind had not quit and the sky to the East began to turn charcoal, then to a deep purple-black! I watched as the sky flashed and rumbled from deep space while listening to Andean Pan flute and drum music by Sukay. THEN IT RAINED, poured, dumped, thundered and exploded in gracefully violent torrents, clog dancing on and swelling the already ample flow of the Trinity. Whew! Time for bed!

Wednesday: Sun streaming in my window! Warm enough to get out of bed, same plan as yesterday; drive, bike, paddle! This time I stopped for a couple of hours or more to try my hand at gold panning. I crawled up an old sluice box into a creek and dug and panned in the shade of a great aspen tree, one which must have shaded ten thousand gold bugs, 'cuz there was no gold left there for me! Time to paddle out, get dinner and play guitar for a few hours.

Thursday: Well, my solitude is over. Folks from all over begin to show up with every size, shape and color of paddle craft. I hooked up with a couple from Santa Cruz and we ran a day long Class 2.5 run that was a whole lot of technical fun. They invited me to have tacos with them and we had a good time getting acquainted. The paddling community is small enough that we seem to have mutual friends met on one river or another, or we will have those friends sooner or later. By Thursday night, the Sonoma County contingent was there in full force, some with new families, significant others or fresh divorces and, of course, new boats to try out.

The camp is full to overflowing now, 100 boats or so. Good to meet boaters on the river, then stroll the camp after a rest and stop to chat with new acquaintances and old friends, sharing stories of the day's runs and adventures to come.

Friday and Saturday: Busy shuttling and floating, teaching beginners and learning from experts, everyone sharpening their skills and getting to know the new twists that the winter floods have left in the river. Saturday, the camp owners threw a party for all with live music, dancing and barbecue. A lot of locals came out and danced with paddlers and their children. Lots of good chatter of local and global politics and economy. A good time was had by all!

Sunday: Last chance!! After packing up my camp and loading my truck, I and a group of about 11 boats headed for the favored "Pigeon Point" run, upstream of camp about 8 miles. This is one of the best runs on the river, a gorgeous series of about 5 or 6 Class 3 rapids that challenge experts and intermediates alike, (not for newbies, all who enter here must have webbed feet). I was in bliss; paddling with friendly pros is always a welcome opportunity. I will send pix of me in "hell hole", a rapid that intimidates most who see it. Pro photographers set up here to shoot boaters as they run this drop, process the film and have them to sell at the end of the day. Will take about 4 weeks to get in the mail, then I'll e-mail 'em if you like! GREAT RUN, GREAT DAY! About 3 P.M., our camp was in sight. I paddled out and loaded my boat and drove west, not before stopping to reserve that same campsite for same time next year!!

As I drove out of the mountains, I took the deepest of breaths and simply absorbed as much as I possibly could to take with me forever, and drove home with the most exhilarating high! This ain't just God's country; it's where she takes her friends on vacation!

George Zastrow

In your initial phone call to the trip leader you will be discussing the skills necessary for that particular outing as well as equipment, clothing, and logistics. If you would like to invite a friend, your friend must personally contact the trip leader prior to the trip.

Be on time (or early). Trip leaders often base the trip's launch or put-in time on optimum tide, current, and/or wind conditions. Being on time is not only considerate to the rest of the group but may be essential for a trip's success.

When you go on an Sequoia Paddling Club outing the trip leader is, indeed, the leader, and you are part of a group. Your behavior should reflect this understanding. If you are experiencing any difficulty such as dehydration, hunger, cold, tiredness, seasickness, apprehension, or you simply need some help in assessing how to best deal with the particular water you are in ... SPEAK UP! Think of yourself as being there for each person in the group and as the group being there for you. Then a group can be strong and even an outing with many challenges can become a positive and exciting adventure.