River Runs By Section
Box Canyon Dam - Cantera: class IV- to V-
Cantera - Dunsmuir Northern Fishing Access: class IV
N. Dunsmuir Fishing Access - South Dunmuir: class III to III+
South Dunsmuir - Castella: class III- with one class IV ledge rapid
Conant - Sims: class III with one class IV- and one class IV+/V-
Sims - Gibson: class III to III+
Gibson - Pollard Flat: class III with one avoidable class IV+ hole
Polard Flat - La moine: class III
La Moine - Volmers: class III

Box Canyon Dam - Cantera

Skill Level - Class IV- to V- depending on flow (Cantera Gauge)

box canyon at 4.1 on cantera gauge

box canyon no name rapid

box canyon below the brown trout rapid

box canyon below the ledge hole

Overview
The Box Canyon Run is a short 1-2 hour run. The Box Canyon is a beautiful section of river with moss covered canyon walls, cold clear water and waterfalls cascading from the sides of the cliffs. The beauty of the run can be easily overlooked due to the excitement of the white water. You can start above or below the rapids at the put in. They are only a glimpse of what is to come. At lower water levels it is pool, rapid, pool, rapid with a few longer rapids intermixed. At higher levels the pools are so short they almost don't exist.

Obstacles
Every rapid has potential dangers and this run is full of them. I recommend accompanying a skilled boater who knows this run. The entire run is too complex to describe in full so I will point out one of the most prominent features. Approximately 1.2 miles down the run the cliff walls open up and you exit the canyon. Two rapids before this there is a river wide ledge hole with a large rock on the left side. There is no easy way to describe the river on when approaching this. There is an eddy before the drop on the left where you can scout. Rafts don't have much choice here, they basically have to run the hole which can be sticky at higher levels (5 or higher on the gauge). You would be hard pressed to get a raft of any size down this run if the water is lower than 5 on the gauge. Hard shell kayakers can boof the far left and catch the eddy just past the large rock.

Flows
The Cantera Gauge it located at Cantera Loop. From the final dirt parking lot hike up river about 50' then cut over to the water. You will see a rusty steel tank and past that at waters edge is the gauge. The level of difficulty can very quite a bit based on the water level. I consider the run a class IV run if the water level is between 4 and 5 on the gauge. Above 5 the river changes shape and becomes more on the lines of a class IV+. At 5.5 and up the river is very pushy and some of the features may be considered class V-. At higher levels the river becomes pushy and constant. It makes it difficult to rescue gear and swimmers. There are not many options for evacuation from the canyon and it is very difficult to portage any of the rapids.

Put-In Box Canyon Dam
This run is known as a class IV run with a class V put in. The put-in is located boaters left of Box Canyon Dam. To get to Box Canyon Dam from I-5 take the Lake St. Exit in Mt Shasta and head west. At the stop sign take another left on Old Stage Rd. A mile or so down Old Stage will veer left. Here take a right on W. a Barr Rd. and follow this until you reach Siskiyou Lake and Box Canyon Dam. Take the trail between Box Canyon and Mt Shasta Resort Golf coarse. Walk a few hundred feet and the trail veers left. Here take the smaller trail that breaks of on the right and starts heading down into the canyon. The trail soon becomes extremely steep and at this point some local boaters have fastened safety ropes to help navigate the dangerous scramble down to the canyon floor. The descent down into Box Canyon is treacherous and has claimed victims. It becomes even more dangerous when the slope is wet or snow covered. Boaters must be prepared to lower boats by rope or do the balancing act by holding the rope in one hand and boat in the other.

Take-Out
To get to Cantera Loop from I-5 take the Lake St. Exit in Mt Shasta and head west. At the stop sign take another left on Old Stage Rd. Follow Old Stage Rd. about 2 miles until the road splits and Cantera Loop Rd. breaks right. Follow Canterra Loop Rd. down into the canyon and until it ends at a dirt parking lot. The river level can be checked here by hiking up the river about 50' and cutting over to the river. You will see a rusty steel tank and past that at waters edge is the gauge.

Cantera - Dunsmuir Northern Fishing Access

Distance - 4.1 miles

Skill Level - Class IV

The Cantera to N. Dunsmuir section of the sacramento is best run when the water is over 5 on the Cantera Gauge. This run is often overlooked and has some great class III and IV white water. Unlike the Box Canyon there is a far greater potential for strainers and hazardous debris. After large storms or high water you should proceed with caution to avoid logs and other obstacles that may have become lodged in the river.
This run winds down the canyon along side the Southern Pacific Railroad. Right after the put-in the you will float under the bridge where in 1991 a railroad tanker car full of toxic chemicals derailed and slide into the river. The Container broke and emptied its contents into the river killing most of the plant and animal life in the Upper Sacramento River. Now the river has almost fully recovered to its original pristine state. Although the entire run is very beautiful the scenic highlight of the run is drifting under the cold spring water of Mossbrae falls. The falls do hide an undercut cliff face so I would proceed with caution.
There are many exciting rapids but the one that stands out is a boulder garden about 3/4 of the way down the run. You can portage on either side but the portage is not easy. This rapid can be scouted by catching a small eddy on the right just above the start of the rapid.The most common line is center left but depending on the flow there may be better lines. No matter what water level this rapid can easily push a boater into a less desirable line. There is usually a strainer or two amongst the boulders so beware.
This run can be combined with the Box Canyon run to make a 3-4 hour boating adventure.

Put-In
To get to Cantera Loop from I-5 take the Lake St. Exit in Mt Shasta and head west. At the stop sign take another left on Old Stage Rd. Follow Old Stage Rd. about 2 miles until the road splits and Cantera Loop Rd. breaks right. Follow Canterra Loop Rd. down into the canyon and until it ends at a dirt parking lot. The river level can be checked here by hiking up the river about 50' and cutting over to the river. You will see a rusty steel tank and past that at waters edge is the gauge.

Take-Out
To get to Northern Dunsmuir Fishing Access from 1-5 take the North Dunsmuir exit and head west on Dunsmuir Blvd. The Road will veer south and start running parallel to the freeway. About .2 miles down Dunsmuir Blvd. take a right turn on Prospect Ave. There is a sign that says fishing access. Follow Prospect Ave. through a neighborhood until the road takes a 90 degree left turn, at this point keep going straight down a windy dirt road that drops down into the canyon. The road ends at the parking lot.

North Dunsmuir Fishing Access - South Dunsmuir

Distance - 4.6 miles

Skill Level - Class III to III+

The N. Fishing Access to South Dunsmuir section of the Upper Sacramento River is a rocky class III river run and is best boated when the CFS is over 2000 on the DELTA Gauge. However, I would advise scout from under the I-5 bridge. The rapids are constant from the put in to the point where the I-5 bridge crosses the river. The lack of slow pools makes it difficult to rescue swimmers and gear in this section. Under the bridge the current pushes hard up against the bridge pillar on the right. The pillar is easy to miss but may have rebar or other man made hazards that can pin boaters. The rest of the run cuts through the old train yard industrial area and is littered with hidden man made hazards. Many of the houses have built retaining walls to keep the water from eroding their properties. Some of these retaining walls have been under cut by the river and have re-bar and other dangerous traps hidden within.
This run is a quick and usually easy class III run that cuts right through the town of Dunsmuir and is a great way to get an alternative view of the Old Railroad Town. The first half of the run has constant rapids bouncing through Northern Dunsmuir. After the I-5 overpass the run becomes calmer with intermittent rapids. There is a halfway decent play hole at high water in a right turn where the river runs up against a man made rock wall topped with a guard rail. The eddie to catch the wav is on the left. This popular fishing/swimming hole is called the butterfly hole. Once fishing season begins there will be a fishing line in nearly every hole on this section.

Put-In
To get to Northern Dunsmuir Fishing Access from 1-5 take the North Dunsmuir exit and head west on Dunsmuir Blvd. The Road will veer south and start running parallel to the freeway. About .2 miles down Dunsmuir Blvd. take a right turn on Prospect Ave. There is a sign that says fishing access. Follow Prospect Ave. through a neighborhood until the road takes a 90 degree left turn, at this point keep going straight down a windy dirt road that drops down into the canyon. The road ends at the parking lot.

Take-Out
To get to the Southern Dunsmuir River Access from I-5 take the railroad park exit and head east. Take a left turn on Craig View Dr. Then drive about .2 miles and take a right turn on S. First St. When you get to the bridge that crosses the Sacramento River you are there.

South Dunsmuir - Castella

Distance -  4.6 miles

Skill Level - Class II+ with one class III+ ledge drop

The South Dunmuir to Castella Section of the Upper Sacrament River is a fairly tame class II run with the exception of the Soda Creek Ledge. The Soda Creek Ledge is located a short distance from the Soda Creek Bridge that crosses the river. Soda Creek Ledge can be scouted easiest from the left side of the river but the safest line is usually on the right. On the far left there is a deep ledge hole that grows with the water level. Scouting is advisable at any level.

Put-In
To get to the Southern Dunsmuir River Access from I-5 take the railroad park exit and head east. Take a left turn on Craig View Dr. then drive about .2 miles and take a right turn on S. First St. When you get to the bridge that crosses the Sacramento River you've arrived.

Take-Out
To get to the Castella River Access from I-5 get off the freeway at the Castella exit and head east on Castle Creek Rd. At Main Street take a left and drive about 300 yards then take a right on Riverside Road and cross the river. Follow the river north about 1/4mile and turn into the state park parking lot on the left. You are at the take out.

Conant - Sims

Distance - 4 miles

Skill Level - Class III with one class IV- and one class IV+/V- falls

The Conant to Sims section of the Upper Sacramento River is a mostly mellow class II+/III run with only two major rapids, one a class V triple drop. The run starts out winding through a bedrock maze and continues on at a fairly mellow pace for approximately 2.33 miles with only a few small ledge drops depending on flows these drops may be completely covered. The two rapids that you will want to scout come shortly after flume creek enters the river on the right. Down a ways as the river bends to the right you can scout the first rapid on the right. At higher water levels this rapid contains a river wide hole except for a small bumpy sneak rout on the right. This hole seams to flush at most levels but proceed with caution. Shortly after this rapid you will come upon the class V rapid called Mear's Creek Falls also known as Sims Triple Drop. The triple drop can be scouted from the right above the entry rapid or the left just after the entry rapid. After the entry rapid the river tightens into a gorge. Sims Triple Drop consists of 2 holes preceding a 4 - 6 foot falls. The first two holes can be formidable enough to knock you off of your line or even flip your boat. Just above the final drop on your right is a small pool created by a larger bolder. Although it would be difficult to end up in this pool it should be avoided. The water strains through a whole under the rock. Once over the falls in the final pool the rock is undercut on the left. Although I've always seen this hole flush, you will want to use your best judgement when attempting to run this rapid. The rest of the run is short and uneventful with the takeout on the right under the Sims Bridge.

Put-In
To get to the Conant River Access from I-5 take the Conant Exit and drive east. You will see the tracks down a dirt road on the right. Pull in there and park anywhere out of the way. Hike south following the train tracks until you come upon any well established trail to the river.

Take-Out
To get to the Sims River Access from I-5 take the Sims Exit and head east down Sims Road. Follow Sims Road until you just cross the train tracks and turn right. The put-in is under the Bridge.

Sims - Gibson

Distance - 5.8 miles

Skill Level - Class III to III+ depending on flows.

The Sims to Gibson section of the Upper Sacramento River is more continuous class III run that can be run by larger rafts down to smaller inflatable kayaks. This section is run commercially by a few rafting companies based in Northern California. The Sims to Gibson section is at its best between 1000 to 2000 cfs on the river gauge at Delta . Lower levels tend to get a bit boney and higher levels the river gets more pushy and the rapids get blown out. The Sims to Gibson run starts right out the the gates with a wave train that continues into a sharp left turn. Just before the left turn there can be a sticky hole on river left. Avoiding that hole on the left you will be faced immediately with another possibly sticky hole on the the right . In normal flows most of the rapids on this run can be run right down the middle the whole time river scouting to avoid sneaky rocks. The run continues on winding through numerous class II/lll rapids. Look for the Gibson take-out just after passing under the first freeway bridge.

Put-In
To get to the Sims River Access from I-5 take the Sims Exit and head east down Sims Road. Follow Sims Road until you just cross the train tracks and turn right. The put-in is under the Bridge.

Take-Out
To get to the Gibson River Access exit I-5 at the Gibson Road exit. Head west then south west along the freeway and follow the road as it winds back under the freeway two times. Just past the second freeway bridge park on the right side of the road.

Gibson - Pollard Flat - 2.43 miles - class III with one avoidable class IV+ hole

Polard Flat - La Moine - 2.42 miles - class II+

La Moine - Vollmers - 1.88 miles - class II with one class III

Skill Level - Mostly Class II with some Class III to IV+

The Gibson to Pollard Flat run is too short to be run on its own and is usually added on to the Sims run depending on time availability. Many People who have a bit more time will run Sims to Pollard Flat and if you have all day you can run the whole thing From Sims to La Moine or Vollmers.
This section though short has a hand full of good rapids. Just after the the put-in or the first freeway bridge the river winds left. In the turn there is a good wave train that pillows up against a rock wall on the left. Just after this you will see the second freeway bridge. Almost directly under this second bridge on the right is a large sticky raft eating hole called April Falls or Gibson Hole. April Falls is hard to see while drifting down the current but you can be sure it is there. To avoid the hole you can stay far river left and at some levels you can sneak by on the right. After April Falls the you will paddle through a few consecutive rapids which at most flows can are best run river center but a bit to the right. The rest of the run all the way down to Vollmers is fairly mellow. There is one class III rapid called White Horse just past the La Moine River Access or the Slate Creek confluence. White Horse was once considered a class IV rapid but high water changed its shape a few years ago leaving a nice wave train in its place.

Gibson River Access
To get to the Gibson River Access exit I-5 at the Gibson Road exit. Head west then south west along the freeway and follow the road as it winds back under the freeway two times. Just past the second freeway bridge park on the right side of the road.

Pollard Flat River Access
To get to the Pollard Flat River Access exit I-5 at the Pollard Flat exit and head east. Take a left on Pollard Camp Road then an immediate right down to the Pollard Flat River Access. From the river start looking for the take-out after passing a large land slide on the left. The takeout is just past the railroad bridge on the right.

La Moine River Access
To get to the La Moine River Access exit I-5 at Slate Creek Road and head west. Take your first left off of Slate Creek Road and cross an old bridge. Drive under the freeway and take the first steep dirt road on the left. If you don't have 4 wheel drive you may have problems getting back up the hill. Park at the bottom of the hill by the tracks and carry your gear from there.

Vollmers River Access
To get to the Vollmers River Access exit I-5 at Dog Creek Road or Delta. Drive north approximately 1.6 miles on McCardle Flat Road which is a frontage road on the east side of the freeway. Take a right down a gravel road that turns to dirt. By the tracks turn right and follow the river south approximately 0.2 miles and park.