Mainstream - Confluence With Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek river run
Mainstream - Confluence With Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek
This section of the river has been given a Class III-IV rating, making it best suited for intermediate to advanced paddlers. The total segment mileage for this run is approximately 8.5 miles. Along the route, paddlers will encounter several notable rapids and obstacles, including Pinball, Squeeze, and S-Turn, which require technical maneuvering and careful navigation.
Specific regulations to the area include the requirement for all paddlers to wear personal flotation devices and helmets while on the river. Additionally, camping and fires are only permitted in designated areas, and visitors are expected to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash. Local outfitters offer guided tours and equipment rentals, and it is recommended that paddlers have experience and proper gear before attempting this challenging whitewater run.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Mainstream - Confluence With Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Rock C Nr Valyermo Ca | 54 cfs | → |
| San Gabriel R Bl Santa Fe Dam Nr Baldwin Pk Ca | 141 cfs | → |
| Arroyo Seco Nr Pasadena Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Rio Hondo Ab Whittier Narrows Dam Ca | 77 cfs | → |
| San Gabriel R Ab Whittier Narrows Dam Ca | 9 cfs | → |
| Cajon C Bl Lone Pine C Nr Keenbrook Ca | 1 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Other river runs
- Cooper Canyon- Near State Highway 2 (Sw 1/4, Ne 1/4, Sec 16, T3n, R10w To Confluence With Little Rock Creek
- Mainstream - Headwaters To Confluence With Cooper Canyon
- Mainstream - Confluence With South Fork Little Rock Creek To Little Rock Creek Reservoir
- North Fork - Confluence Of Soldier And Coldbrook Creeks (Se1/4,Sw1/4, Sec) 5, T2n,,R9w To Conflluence With West Fork Of San Gabriel (Sw 1/4,Sw1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- Gaging Station Below Spillway Of Cogswell Dam (Ne 1/4, Se 1/4, Sec 19, T2n, R10w) To Confluence With Nf San Gabriel River (Sw 1/4.Sw 1/4, Sec 15, T2n, R9w)
Campgrounds
- Cooper Canyon Trail Camp
- Deer Flat Group Campground
- Deer Spring
- Little Jimmy Campground
- Little Jimmy
- Crystal Lake Rec Area
Fishing spots
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Mainstream - Confluence With Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Mainstream - Confluence With Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek
What's the optimal flow for Mainstream - Confluence With Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Mainstream - Confluence With Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek.