Skill Level - Class IV- to V- depending on flows measured at the MSS Gauge

lower mccloud put-in below the dam - 425 cfs at shasta lake

bridge at ash camp

rapids above ah-di-na

lush vegitation on the lower mccloud

Overview
The McCloud River must be one of the most beautiful and remote rivers in the United States. Starting at the base of the McCloud Reservoir Dam, the McCloud River winds 25 miles through a pristine wilderness valley. It is rare to find and experience such a seemingly untouched ecosystem full of old growth timber, native trout, clear fresh water and in spots almost enveloped by the lush foliage which encroaches upon the river on each bank. Indian Rhubarb, Azalea and wild grasses are among these lush plants that surround this amazing river. Rivaling the surrounding beauty of the river the whitewater holds its own. From Class 3 to 4+ the rapids just add to the overall quality of this run. The majority of the rivers banks are privately owned and trespassing above the high water mark is illegal. Camping is allowed below the high water line but fires of any kind are prohibited. The river is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through November 15. Flow is highest in spring due to rain and melting snow.

scouting on the lower mccloud river

seal drop after portage

drop-in on class 4 rapid on the lower mccloud river

second half of class 4 rapid on the lower mccloud river

Run Details
If you decide to run the river starting below the McCloud Reservoir Dam you are in for about three and half miles of non stop class 4 plus rapids. Depending on flows some of the drops may even be considered class 5- and be ready to scout everything. There is likely debris and logs blocking the different chutes in the river. The class 4+ action does not let up until you reach Ah-Di-Na Campground and river gauge. The first mile of this section can be bypassed by putting in at Ash Camp just past the Dam.
The upper Class 4 section of the Lower McCloud can be completely bypassed by putting in at Ah-Di-Na Campground. This is the last public access point by road to the river for 21 plus miles making the run very peaceful and desolate. The rapids calm down for the most part with an occasional class 3 to 3+ section until you reach approximately 10.5 miles from Ah-Di-Na Campground just after the Squaw Creek Confluence. With all of the new water from Squaw Creek the CFS gets a large boost and the river becomes less boney. Around the corner from the confluence there is a class 4- double drop. The river tightens up into a gorge just after this but opens up soon after. Approximately 4 miles past the Squaw Creek Confluence you will come upon Tuna Creek Falls. This is a nice class 4+ drop into a rock garden that runs directly into a large undercut boulder about 100 feet below the drop. The rock can be avoided on both sides but the bolder is undercut on the right and scouting is highly recommended. A few hundred yards past Tuna Creek Falls there is one more class 4- chute, past that there are only class 3 to 3+ rapids until your reach the bridge over the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake.

too low for a 13 foot raft at 425cfs

rainbow trout

double drop after squaw creek confluence

gorge on lower mccloud

Flows
The Lower McCloud River is normally a spring run due to snow melt and runoff but occasionally there are water releases for different purposes in the summer. The Lower McCloud's flows in the summer are low but steady. The normal summer flows are around 425 CFS measured at the gauge at Shasta Lake. At 425 the river is very low and not recommended for anything other than a kayak and even in a kayak you will be carrying your boat through sections and bouncing off of rocks in almost every rapid. If the CFS is above 600 the run starts to get a little better and at 800-1000 will start to get more pushy in sections.

dropping in over falls at tuna creek

pulling out of the hole at tuna creek

heading for undercut bolder after tuna creek falls

rapid a few 100 yards down from tuna creek falls

Shuttle
The Shuttle is a long one. It is approximately 80 miles from Ah-Di-Na to the bridge on the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake, It is a little bit shorter if you put in below the Dam.
To get to the put-in take highway 89 east from I-5 to the town of McCloud. In McCloud take a right heading south on Squaw Valley Road. Follow signs to McCloud reservoir which is approximately 10 miles. To get to Ah-Di-Na Pass the left turnoff to Tarantula Gulch boat ramp towards the dam, before the dam turn right onto a poorly maintained dirt road and drive 6 miles uphill and then downhill to Ah-di-na campground. To get the the dam don't turn on the dirt road and keep winding around McCloud Reservoir. You will come to the dam and cross it. Drive until you see a dirt road starting down the east side of the valley below the dam. Once on this road take the first sharp right to get to the dam put in or keep driving a mile or so to get to Ash Camp put-in. To get to the take-out exit I-5 at Gilman Road and head east approximately 17 miles to the bridge crossing the lake that may seam like it crosses a river due to the low level of Shasta Lake.