Lower Rock Creek river run
Lower Rock Creek
The segment mileage of the Lower Rock Creek run is approximately 7 miles, starting from the town of Toms Place and ending at the confluence with the Owens River. There are several notable rapids and obstacles along the way, including the "Eleven Mile Falls," a Class IV rapid that requires precise navigation through a narrow chute. Other notable rapids include "Hole in the Wall," "Tombstone," and "Champagne."
To ensure the safety of all river users, there are specific regulations in place for the Lower Rock Creek area. These regulations include mandatory wearing of personal flotation devices (PFDs), no alcohol or drug use while on the river, and a minimum age requirement of 12 years old for kayakers and 7 years old for rafters. It is also important to note that during times of high flow, the river can become dangerous and should only be attempted by experienced paddlers.
Overall, Lower Rock Creek is a thrilling and challenging whitewater river run that offers a variety of rapids and obstacles for intermediate to advanced paddlers. With proper preparation and adherence to regulations, it can provide a memorable and exciting experience for all who undertake it.
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 Lower Rock Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hot C A Flume Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 65 cfs | → |
| Deadman C A Big Springs Nr Crestview Ca | 37 cfs | → |
| Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 579 cfs | → |
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 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
- Tom's Place To Nf Boundary
- Wilderness Boundary To Tom's Place
- Headwaters To Wilderness Boundary
- Fish Slough
Campgrounds
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 Lower 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 Lower Rock Creek
What's the optimal flow for Lower 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 Lower Rock Creek.