County Line on Cresta, we
miss you.
In
years past, each weekend would see a
release on the class IV Cresta
run Saturday and on Sunday water in the Rock Creek/Tobin section. As of
the last few years, the release has changed to Rock Creek/Tobin for
both days..
The run can be split into three sections. The
highest up river section is Rock Creek, a II-III run, with mostly class
II and two
significantly harder rapids. The take out for Rock Creek is the put in
for Tobin, so if you run Rock Creek, be sure to
scout your take out
before putting on, it would be easy to miss. Tobin is generally
considered a class V run due to hazards. The moves are not the hardest,
and it's often run in playboats, but there are many sieves and you
don't want to go down the wrong channel or swim. Going with someone
that knows it for the first time is a wise choice. The run starts off
pool drop, but the section between the bridges is more or less one long
rapid that can be broken down into many sections.
Shannamar
Dewey enjoys one of many
fine boofs on Tobin.
At 2,400cfs things get busy on Tobin. Summer releases are never this
high. David Maurier in the flow.
Amanda Burnham-Marusich nails a boof in the final rapid of Tobin.
Tobin proper finishes
at the green bridge which also marks the start of Lowbin, once
considered just part of Tobin. It is now often run by strong
class IV
boaters. Similar to Tobin it has quite a few hazards and is not a place
to be out of your boat, once again best to go with a vetran your first
time.
Ron
Rodgers spins on a smooth rock in
Lowbin
Shannamar Dewey on a Lowbin ledge.
Sean Corbett runs some fun splashy water on Lowbin.
More lowbin fun.
One of the best things about a weekend on the North Fork Feather is the
almost guaranteed warm weather and plentiful free camping.
A big thanks goes out to
American
Whitewater
for their work on the North Fork of the Feather River. If you enjoy
this release or would like to in the future, consider joining American
Whitewater and helping all paddlers enjoy the wonderful rivers of
California.