Arroyo not-so Seco (Highwater)

This writeup shows Arroyo not-so Seco at 450 cfs, when it verges on class V. For the regular low-water writeup, see Arroyo not-so Seco. Boaters who arrive to find this creek running above 400 cfs ought to consider hiking up the gated dirt road only one mile to a put-in below the gorge. This way you can combine the easier two miles of this run with the Schwind runs from Arroyo Center to Miller's Lodge or below.

mile 0

Put in below the pack bridge on river left.

.1

Willow Creek comes in on the left, just above a class II boulder bar rapid followed by a long class III slalom.

.3

Two major rapids in quick succession. The first is class IV- at low water but gets easier at higher flows. At low flows the second is class IV with an undercut left wall; easy portage on the right. At higher flows this rapid becomes a recirculating class V monster. If you run it at high flows, be prepared with throwbags.

.6

Confluence with Santa Lucia Creek amidst a class III rapid.

Santa Lucia Creek visible on upper left

.7

The canyon narrows and deepens. The next several rapids merge, but can be scouted together high on either bank. The staircase drop should be run on the left to avoid a rock-imprisoned reversal.

Steep sliding falls	Staircase drop into narrows

1.1

Narrow passage up against the wall, with high-water alternative on river right, which we still didn't like at 450 cfs. After a good recovery pool, a class III rapid merges with Photo Rock Falls below to create a suspenseful combination.

Wide boats not welcome	Falls above Photo rock

1.5

Mucho Cajones (class V). An 8 foot falls with a big rock below, and a good recovery pool. At high flows the rock creates an ugly backwash into an undercut wall on the right. Easy portage, or potential boof, on the left. Below, the river flows thru a narrow zig-zag rock cleft.

1.6

The Pit, end of class IV canyon. Remaining rapids are class II-III boulder bar affairs that become very enjoyable at higher flows.

3

Hidden below a steep class III created by a large rock outcropping, a sidestream on the left creates a spectacular 10 meter waterfalls into a plunge pool.

3.5?

From the carry-in road, a steep boulder-choked drop with a big rock in the middle looks most runnable on far river right, but at high flows there is an undercut rock extending from the right bank. It remains runnable on the left thru willow branches. At higher flows a sneak route becomes available on the far left.

Many possible routes at 450 cfs

4

Arroyo Seco picnic area on right bank. Rest rooms. If you have a second car, this makes a good parking area.

4.1

You might want to run the rapid (right side) under Arroyo Seco road bridge and take out on a rocky beach to the left below.

To reach take-out: From the south on US 101 at Greenfield (north of King City) take G16 west 5.7 miles to Arroyo Seco bridge, take-out for lower 9.5 mile Schwind run. From the north on US 101 at Soledad, just after crossing the Salinas River, take G17 southwest 9.3 miles. G16 and G17 intersect on the south bank near Schwind's take-out bridge. Continue west for approximately 7 miles. Where G16 bears right uphill to Carmel, stay left on Arroyo Seco Road. Miller's Lodge, recommended take-out for the upper 5 mile Schwind run, is a short distance ahead. Continue 4 more miles uphill to the USFS camp and picnic grounds at Arroyo Center. There may be an entrance fee.

To reach put-in: Drive your vehicle as far uphill as possible past the west campground, to a locked gate. At the end of the day, walk uphill to retrieve your vehicle.

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