|
|
Piru Creek - 2) Pyramid Lake to Lake Piru
Piru Creek, California, US |
|
2) Pyramid Lake to Lake Piru (Middle Piru)
| Usual Difficulty | IV (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 18.5 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 67 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 100 fpm |
Gauge Information
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIRU CREEK ABOVE LAKE PIRU CA | ||||
| usgs-11109600 | 6.62 - 7.60 ft | IV | 00h47m | 3.84 ft (rc= -2.8 ) |
| PIRU C AB FRENCHMANS FLAT CA | ||||
| usgs-11109550 | 200 - 800 cfs | IV | 00h47m | 12 cfs (rc= -0.3 ) |
River Description
Middle Piru Creek between Pyramid Lake and Piru Lake is a beautiful class 4 wilderness run
through incredible geology. It can be runnable for a few days immediately during and after large
winter rain storms, or for longer periods during very wet winters.
Getting There:
Piru Creek lies just to the west of the Grapevine section of Highway I-5, north of Los Angeles.
Put-in: From the Highway 126 junction in Castaic, Take I-5 north, 10.5 miles to the
Templin Highway junction. Turn left (west) under the freeway, then immediately turn right onto
Golden State Highway. Travel 5.2 miles to Frenchmans' Flat Campground.
google map.
Take-out: Take I-5 to Castaic. Take highway 126 west, 11 miles to the town of Piru. Turn
right on Center Street and go 7/10 mile to Orchard Street and turn right. Travel 2/10 mile on
Orchard, then turn right on Piru Canyon Road. Travel 6 1/2 miles to the Piru Lake boat ramp.
google map.
Note: Be aware that there may be BARBED WIRE across the river about 2 miles or so before the
creek flows into Lake Piru, and NYLON FENCE and BARBED WIRE slightly further downstream. This
creek has many strainers and pinning spots. The creek is normally boated at fairly low flows, so
it is usually not disastrous, but if things go wrong you have very few options. It can make a
very long day if something goes wrong. Bring extra food on this one -- 15 miles of class IV is
longer than you think!
At the end of the run, the river gets shallow and braided. If flows are too low or
you choose the wrong channel you may have to drag your boat occasionally. Then you
face 3 miles of flat water paddling on the reservoir to get to the boat ramp.
Paddlers are supposed to stay within 100 feet of the west shore while paddling on the lake to the
boat ramps. Also, the boat ramps close early in the winter time. Contact
the recreation area for specifics.
Other Information Sources:
Gary Valle
Piru Creek Slide
Show by Gary Valle and Gary Gunder. Excellent!
Charles Foster
Friends of the
River
Lake Piru Recreation Area
United Water Conservation
District operates Lake Piru and uses the water for farm irrigation.
Approximate elevations
Put-in: 2040 feet
Take-out: 1060 feet
Do more than just check gauges; join over 5,000 AW members today.
Or, consider donating
2) Pyramid Lake to Lake Piru , Piru Creek California, US (mobile)