About
Trinity Alps Gold Rush — Major Pierson B. Reading, July 1848. From the Trinity Alps Wilderness to its confluence with the Klamath, the Trinity runs 165 miles through Trinity and Humboldt counties at an average 2100 CFS — though optimal flows for whitewater range from 600 to 3500 CFS depending on the section. Wild & Scenic since 1981, the river divides into distinct characters: blue-ribbon trout water below Trinity Dam through the Class I-II stretch to Lewiston, then the popular Cedar Flat to Burnt Ranch Gorge corridor with Class III-IV drops that draw commercial outfitters like Trinity River Rafting and Big Foot Rafting. Expert boaters tackle the remote 14-mile Burnt Ranch Gorge itself, where Class IV-V water demands technical precision. Below that, the river eases through Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation lands as Class I-II salmon water to the Klamath confluence. Trinity Dam in 1963 diverted much of the headwater flow, but the 1981 Wild & Scenic designation included flow restoration provisions. Recent salmon recovery efforts involve partnerships between the Hoopa and federal agencies, with 2023 marking renewed restoration commitments. USGS gauge 11530000 tracks flows for trip planning.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.