I'm planning on doing Fordyce next month 7/7.
I keep hearing check the flows before you go.
It's currently running at 100 cfs but never having been there I don't know
if thats a lot or not.
At what point do the river crossings become a problem?

From my experience >250 is no problem, 250-400 is passable but risking everything (the range is given to accomodate for the size of your rig and the size of your nutz), above 400 is not going to happen.

JW

where can you find out the flows? That would be sweat to find out!:smokin:

dreamflows.com

http://www.dreamflows.com/graphs/day.063.html

http://www.dreamflows.com/realtime.php#California_Sierra_West_Slope

Cllick on the stuff on the Fordyce Creek line to see the predictions. Depending on your rig anything above 150 cfs could be hazardous.

THAT IS JUST A SUGGESTION! I'm not saying under that and you'll be fine. There are many factors and the water crossings can be dangerous no matter what your rig and release rate is. There are holes you need to avoid also. Browse around in this forum for pointers on where they might be. Best thing is to go with someone that knows where there are your first time there.

By the way, fire restrictions are now in effect. No campfires outside of developed campgrounds and that includes propane stoves as well.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/documents/forest_orders/17-07_02_fire_restrictions.pdf

At 450 water was flowing over the hood of my jeep, soa on 35’s. My wife still bitches about the chest deep water flowing through on her side.

Thanks for the info. that helps a lot.
I will be going with others that have been there.

No campfires outside of developed campgrounds and that includes propane stoves as well.

I think you had better read it again.

Section 36 CFR 261.50(e)

Number 2

2. Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission. Persons with a valid California Campfire permit are NOT exempt from the prohibitions listed above.


However, persons with a valid California campfire permit may use a portable stove or lantern that uses gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel.

We went through the same thing last year, and the year before that and the year before that. I ask the rangers every year and they say, propane or gas stoves, Bar B Q, and lanterns are ok.

Oops, thanks for pointing that out.

Just goes to show that nobody's perfect...


except my wife.:D

Oops, thanks for pointing that out.

Just goes to show that nobody's perfect...


except my wife.:D

Cold chicken and manifold burritos get old!!!!!

Nay, it is my wife, just ask her!!!!!!!!!!!!!:grinpimp:

We ran the trail with the river at 470 back in '97. I would NEVER do anything more than 400 ever again. In my yota, I had the water over the hood, sitting chest deep. Timbo's rig got swept down river, I hydro'd my motor, and later blew it up. All in all, if you have never run the trail before, try to keep it below 250, and run it with someone that knows teh trail.

Dima

anyone know what the flows will be next weekend. Dream flows has nothing past the 27th.

JW, you interested in going?

We ran the trail with the river at 470 back in '97. I would NEVER do anything more than 400 ever again. In my yota, I had the water over the hood, sitting chest deep. Timbo's rig got swept down river, I hydro'd my motor, and later blew it up. All in all, if you have never run the trail before, try to keep it below 250, and run it with someone that knows teh trail.
Dima has good advice, and IIRC, he's talking about the water crossings on the main trail, and not even the faster, deeper crossing at the shortcut out to Fordyce Lake.

A few hardy souls with good intentions and bad judgement did a rescue trip back in 2004. The dam outlet was maxed out, and some experience white-water folks estimated there was more than 600cfs at the crossing.
http://www.rps4wd.com/attachments/CAMER009.JPG
For reference, that's a Cruiser on 39.5s taking water over the hood.

We all survived, but it cost Keith what little pretty his Jeep had left to offer. The outcome could have been MUCH worse. DEPTH can soak your gear, but SPEED is what can kill you, especially with COLD water. Exercise caution when the water is moving fast... http://www.rps4wd.com/attachments/CAMER004.JPG

More story at:
http://www.rps4wd.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=trips;action=display;num=1087229760
http://www.rps4wd.com/attachments/HF_029.jpg

Randii