Pauley Creek near Downieville

These two creeks, both tributaries of Downieville Creek (called a river on most maps) have nearly identical flows, and are separated by a narrow ridge with convenient dirt road for shuttling. Most people run both in the same day, usually Lavezzola first so Pauley Falls can serve as a climax. Lavezzola contains a class IV granite gorge and two harder rapids, one normally portaged, near the end. Pauley is basically a bunch of waterfalls connected by class II rapids. But what amazing waterfalls they are! The tallest ones are 25' and 15' high, yet it would be hard to rate either class V except at high flow. Wood is the principal hazard on both runs.

For a mile-by-mile description and pictures of Lavezzola Creek, click here. In spring of 1999, Pauley Creek had 2 mandatory tree portages, the first about 1 mile down, the second about 1.5 mile below put-in. The first may be portaged on the right with an eddy big enough for a couple of boats. The second may be portaged on the left with an eddy big enough for 3-4 boats.

mile
0

Put in where the single track approaches the river.

Class IV rapid immediately below put-in

1

Federal Falls, class IV+ (class V at high water)

Easy approach	The better side	On the spout	Almost buried!

1.2

Hazard! A distance below Federal Falls, the canyon opens up a bit and the creek splits around a rock jumble. From above it looks like the left channel is runnable, but it is not, owing to some logs jammed in between rocks (1998). The safer but unfortunately not obvious run is to the right of the rock jumble.

2

Slip & Slide, AKA Slip & Flip, class IV

Staying high	The Slide	The Slip	What, no Flip?

This sequence shows why this falls got its alternate name.

The Slip	The Flip

3

Pauley Falls, class IV+ (class V on river right)

Starting from a sleeper	Over the kicker rock near shore	Into the deep pool below

The Sotak's needlenose buries!	Unintentional but photogenic nosestand

Shuttle directions can be found in the new Holbek book, the one with red trim and awful graphic on the front cover.

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