North Fork of the American (Ponderosa Way)
| Stretch: | Yankee Jim Road to Ponderosa Way |
| Difficulty: | Class II+ to III- |
| Distance: | 5 miles |
| Flows: | 500-x000 cfs Current Dreamflows gauge |
| Gradient: | 21 fpm |
| Put-in: | Yankee Jim Road |
| Take-out: | Ponderosa Way |
| Shuttle: | ~10 miles (30 minutes one-way) |
| Season: | Winter rain and Spring snow melt |
| Written: | © 2006 |
I have only done this run once, but I remember that this was a nice beginner run. The scenery will be a smack in the face to anyone who has become use to the south Fork of the American. On the North Fork, things are more green and a lot less populated. I do not remember any rapids that required anything more than following the water down the "V." Not much else to say since I don't remember any specifics... sorry. No good stories today.
Also, I don't actually believe that at higher flows this run becomes class III, but I can imagine that the swims would last longer. Be weary if the flows are 2,000 cfs or above. That may not be the best time for a class II boater to venture down this stretch for their first time.
Take-out: From Highway 80, take the Weimar Cross exit. Turn right on Canyon Way and drive about a mile to Ponderosa way. Turn right and follow to the river. The last several miles are dirt road, though I remember it being a cool view while driving down.
Put-in: Go back to Canyon Way and head east on Canyon Way past Weimar Cross Exit. After a few miles (and after a small lake on the right) you will see a small green sign for "Foresthill." About 100 feet later you will see Yankee Jim Road on the right. Follow this, at one point it splits in three way, take the middle which then turns to dirt, follow down several miles to the river.
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