Carson River Resort on the East Fork Carson, video by Realtor Mark Divittorio
The East Fork Carson River is the largest tributary of the Carson River, flowing through California and Nevada in the western United States.
Stretch: near Markleeville to near Gardnerville
Difficulty: Class II+, harder at higher flows
Distance: 20 miles, 1 or 2 days
Flows: kayaks 500 - 4000, rafts 600 - 4000 cfs, IK minimum 400
Gauge: flow measured below Markleeville (USGS site)
Gradient: 25 fpm average, more higher up
Put-in: along highway 89/4 at Hangman's bridge or upstream, 5500'
Take-out: rocky beach above defunct diversion dam, 4980'
Shuttle: 25 miles (40 minutes) one-way
Maps: Tahoe NF, AAA Lake Tahoe Region, Topo
Season: Spring and early summer, from snowmelt
Agency: USFS, BLM, private, guided Whitewater Rafting
Notes: © 1998, 2009, 2012 Bill Tuthill, CreeksYahoo
Starting in pine forest and ending in the high desert, with frequent glimpses of distant snow-covered peaks, offering several hotsprings near midpoint, and containing many fun rapids, this is one of the finest novice runs in California. Its mild class II+ rating can be deceptive however, because the water is swift and cold, the rocks sharp and abrasive, and the bedrock banks sometimes undercut. Flows are highest in the morning, so consider the peaks when deciding if it is too low or too high to run.
After the flood of 1997 the class III rapids above Hangman's Bridge became more class II-like. It is best to avoid crowds and put in at one of the many roadside turnouts south of the bridge, rather than at the bridge. Note that there are no sanitary facilities above Hangman's Bridge, so overnight camping and parking is not permitted alongside highway 89/4. The further up the highway you go, the more the rapids approach class III. The Cassady/Calhoun guidebook describes this upper run in detail, with its 65 fpm gradient and continuous class III rapids. Intermediate boaters usually like to start way upstream for some morning excitement.
Along Markleeville Creek between town and put-in is a nice USFS campground that is often filled on Friday nights. The other side of put-in, Carson River Resort rents cabins and campsites; see carsonriverresort.com for pictures and reservations.
Ecology[edit]
The lower reaches of the Carson River near Fallon
In the lower reaches of the Carson River watershed, the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge hosts large breeding colonies of white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi) and is frequented by non-breeding American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). In winter the refuge supports wintering tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) as well as hosts of ducks and geese.
The upper Carson River watershed provides habitat for the threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi), as well as large non-native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta), providing excellent fly fishing. The Lahontan cutthroat is threatened by hybridization with rainbow trout, but there is a pure Lahontan strain on 5 miles (8.0 km) of the East Fork Carson River from the headwaters to Carson Falls.[7] There is also a native population of the only Paiute cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki seleniris) in existence in the drainages of Silver King Creek, a tributary of the East Fork Carson River in the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
North American beaver (Castor canadensis) were re-introduced to the Carson River watershed around 1940 and have thrived since.
Hope Valley Fishing/Camping
Took my buddy to the west fork of the carson for a little camping and fishing. It was slow, but what can you expect with water that is prisoner to the tanker truck lol. We found one of the bridges they stock, that wasn't hit so hard and found our dinner. Fun times all around, side note, the hail at the end of the video was the biggest i've seen in California, roughly the size of a dime.
Hope Valley Fall Color 10-10-15
Follow me along on my photo shoot of Hope Valley, Ca. during the fall season. I will take you along HWY 88/89 and also HWY 50 out of South Lake Tahoe.
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Please watch: Photographing a sunrise and edit in Lightroom
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Hope Valley California Reflectons
Video from my recent fly fishing trip to Hope Valley, CA. I came home to find out that a wonderful family friend and mentor passed. Bob Gates taught me by example that I can build anything if I am not afraid to try.
The video is from a GoPro camera mount on a drift boat I made from pieces of a styrofoam cooler and some string. Wouldn't have approached the problem without Col. Gates showing me that wood and styrofoam are magical materials that can create anything you want.
Music by Andy McKee. Andy is one of the worlds most amazing guitarists. Check him out: youtube.com/watch?v=-CIFjP6OFjg Homepage: andymckee.com/
CALIFORNIA POSTCARD PILOT TEASER
Here is 3 minutes of the pilot episode of California Postcard. Check out Alpine County and what it has to offer. If you like it, let us know. If you'd like to sponsor the show, contact us at californiapostcard@yahoo.com.