News.bytes Extra, issue 233

Susan River Kayaking

Only 40 miles long and no wider than 75 feet, Northeast California’s Susan River pales in comparison to California’s mighty rivers such as the Sacramento and American.

Rising from rugged volcanic plateaus near Lassen Volcanic National Park, the river is best known as the scenic backdrop for the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail as it flows across public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Eagle Lake Field Office and the Lassen National Forest.

Diehard kayakers, however, are discovering that the tiny Susan River can offer challenging runs, with some rapids rated at class four or greater.

Prime time for experienced kayakers is spring when the river runs high and cold with spring snowmelt.

“We recommend that only experienced kayakers attempt the river during spring,” says Stan Bales, a BLM outdoor recreation planner who has kayaked the Susan for years. “During summer the flow drops considerably. Kids on inner tubes become the primary ‘boaters’ then,” he said.

Below, kayakers discuss their path through a rapid named KC’s demise.

Below, a water’s eye view in KC’s demise, and second photo, the rapids just below the Bizz Johnson Trail. (the trail is on the right, part way up the hill)>

Another challenging run occurs at Pinball Rapid, aptly named for the rocks. The location is also near BLM-managed parts of the Bizz Johnson Trail:

Kayakers pass beneath massive concrete and steel bridges that once carried trains through the Susan River Canyon

Real time flow information for the Susan River and other California streams is available at www.dreamflows.com.

May, 2006