© 1996-2008 by Gary Valle' and Gary Gunder

Piru Creek

Frenchmans Flat Campground to Lake Piru

IMPORTANT NOTICE - WARNING!

Los Padres and Angeles National Forests, north of Los Angeles, California

Frenchmans Flat Campground (2025'). This is just downstream of the Pyramid Reservoir dam.

1) 90' 2) 70' 3) 65' 4) 60' 5) 100' 6) 75' 7) 55' 8) 55' 9) 40' 10) 80' 11) 60' 12) 55' 13) 55' 14) 50' 15) 45' , 16) 35' 16.25) Lake Piru

5.25) Fish Creek RR, 10.3) Ruby Canyon RL, 11.5) Turtle Canyon RR, 11.6) Ellis Apiary Campsite RR, 13.4) Michael Creek RL, 14.1) Agua Blanca Creek RR, 15.0) Blue Point Campground RR, 15.5) Gaging Station RL, 16.25) Lake Piru, Canton Canyon RL

Marina on Lake Piru (1055') ~2.5 miles on lake

Few of the hundreds of thousands of people that have driven up Interstate 5's Castaic grade, thirty minutes north of downtown Los Angeles, are aware of the stunning gorges that are found along Piru Creek upstream and downstream of Pyramid Reservoir.

Located just south of the intersection of the San Andreas and Garlock fault zones, the creek winds its way through land twisted and torn by the combined effects of these major faults, the related San Gabriel fault, the Pine Mountain fault, and several other smaller faults. The result is a stunning streamscape with towering cliffs, tilted strata, deep gorges, and remarkable views.

Add water and the reach between Pyramid dam and Lake Piru becomes one of the most unique, isolated, and scenic one-day, road accessible, whitewater runs in the Western U.S. It is considered a "must do" classic by many expert whitewater kayakers.

Water is the key. Water years with average,or above average, precipitation will usually produce some boatable days in February and March. But since the dam is just upstream, the release from Pyramid is the primary source of the water at the put-in. Sometimes it is necessary for boaters to make their way downstream on marginally boatable flows until side creeks add sufficient water.

You don't have to be a geologist to appreciate the unique terrain of Piru Creek -- you just need to be able to gawk at the rocks, cliffs and gorges in the 2500 ft. deep canyon and say, "Wow!" Want a "before you paddle" preview? In addition to photography and topo software, check out Google's exciting new visual tool called Google Earth. Here's a overview of Piru Creek that shows much of the creek from Frenchman's Flat (on the left) to Ruby Canyon and beyond. Zooming in, here's a image of the "Falls Gorge" section, pictured on the right. For more info see Google Earth.

If Pyramid is releasing more than fish flow, there is difficult whitewater (and possible carries) not too far downstream from the put-in, as the river crosses the San Gabriel fault zone and turns west into the first of a series of gorges. Overall, there are many stretches of moderate class II-III water, but there are also many class IV rapids and at least one gnarly, backed class V-VI hole. This feature is found downstream of the "Falls" gorge, in an area of large Eocene era conglomerate boulders. Here's a short video of that section. (Window's Media ~ 2Mb)

Part of the appeal of this reach is its isolation. More than 10 miles of the creek is totally wild and cannot be accessed by road or maintained trail. Hiking in or out is a formidable task. Such wilderness is rare in Southern California. Rarer still is the special combination of wildness and natural wonder found here.

We ran this reach most recently on March 9, 2005. Flow data for this date has recently been revised. As of 3/30/05, the release from Pyramid Reservoir is reported to have been 235 cfs, and the flow upstream of Lake Piru at about 335 cfs. Overall we thought this was an very good flow. Rapids had good coverage, and the more difficult sections appeared to be at a flow that would be considered in a "normal" range.

Near Lake Piru there were some wide sand flats with just enough water to paddle. The lake had some areas of debris, but these were mainly a nuisance. We put on at about 8:00 am, reached Lake Piru at about 2:30 pm, and took out at the marina at about 3:20 pm. The last couple of times we've been on the lake the parking lot at the marina has been closed (and locked) at 4:00 pm. Lake Piru requires kayakers to paddle along the western shore and take out at the marina.

Note: If the water "looks high" at the put-in, consider what it might be like in some of the more constricted sections. There are stories of paddlers doing horrific portages over impossible terrain to avoid difficulties created by too much water. Take a look at a topo map -- it looks like it could be very difficult to hike out from the more isolated sections of this creek. The USGS gage above Frenchman's Flat provides the stage in real time and recent daily mean flow data for up to 730 days.

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In a meeting on March 31, 2005 with representatives from the Los Padres and Angeles National Forests at the Los Padres National Forest Headquarters in Goleta, detailed information concerning Piru Creek's unique fishery, scenery, geology, and recreational values was presented, including this slide show. (HTML)

While some Forest Service officials appeared to react favorably to the information presented, another referred to Piru Creek as essentially a "canal" or "a conduit for water" between two reservoirs, and went on to say that not every "wet patch" on the Forest can be considered for Wild & Scenic status! In addition, officials suggested that it was unlikely that there would be any changes in the forest plan.

But (good news!) when their final management plans for the four Southern California National Forests, was released in late September 2005, the Forest Service reversed their previous finding and found that Piru Creek from Pyramid reservoir to Piru reservoir is eligible for designation as a wild and scenic river. The geologic values of this reach were found to be outstandingly remarkable, however the Forest Service held to their position that the recreational values are not outstanding. This determination is contrary to the experiences of those that have paddled, hiked, or fished Piru Creek.

The next step is for the Forest Service to complete a "suitability" study and then make a final recommendation to Congress to add the river to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Take action! Share your experiences and opinions regarding this unique and valued stream. Write a letter to Bernie Weingardt, Regional Forester of the US Forest Service, urging him to complete studies on all rivers in Southern California and recommend Wild & Scenic protection for Piru Creek upstream and downstream of Pyramid Dam, as well as the other streams under consideration. Please note the outstanding recreational values and wildlife habitat of Piru Creek and that it should be protected as a Wild and Scenic River.

If you have paddled this reach, your feedback is especially important. The Forest Service claims to have been unaware of the recreational use of Piru Creek downstream of Pyramid Dam for whitewater kayaking. Please mention that you have paddled this reach in your email or letter. Send to: Bernie Weingardt, Regional Forester, US Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, Ca 94592.

In addition , please send an email or letter to the California Dept. of Water Resources asking them to drop their proposal to eliminate augmented flow releases into Piru Creek from Pyramid Dam.

If you live in either Rep. Elton Gallegly's district (much of Ventura County) or in Rep. Buck McKeon's District (Northern LA County, Northern San Bernardino, Inyo and Mono counties) write (click here) and tell them about your experiences on the stream (if any) and urging them to support the California Wild Heritage Act because it would protect all of Piru Creek as a Wild and Scenic River.

For additional information please contact Jim Blomquist, Friends of the River, Saving Southern California's Last Wild Rivers Project, at jimb@friendsofthe river.org

Entrance to "Falls Gorge."

Spectacular terrain towers above the paddler.

"Falls" Gorge.

Keyhole overview of Piru Creek.

Related information:

• Piru Creek (Friends of the River)
• Piru Creek Slide Show
• USGS Gage Piru Cr Above Lake Piru
• USGS Gage Piru Cr Above Frenchman's Flat
• Piru Creek Gage Above Pyramid Lake (CDEC)
• Piru Creek - AWA
• Lake Piru
• Lake Piru Monthly Hydrologic Conditions Report
• Middle Piru Creek (Charles Foster)
• Hike K3. Piru Gorge ( Adventure Hikes & Canyoneering in the Southwest)
• Day Fire Perimeter (GEOMAC)

© 1996-2006 by Gary Valle'
(To enlarge an image, click on it.)
All photos are from the reach of Piru Creek between Pyramid Lake and Lake Piru.

The extraordinary "Falls" gorge of Piru Creek looms downstream, while Gary Gunder rummages through his dry bag for a snack. This improbable appearing narrows is one of many memorable passages on the creek. In addition to stunning scenery it has excellent class III and IV rapids, and at least one class V-VI rapid, depending on the flow. View.

Pausing on an exposed rock, Gary Gunder surveys the narrow, vertical walls of the "Falls" gorge of Piru Creek, near its end. Downstream, a creek (partially obscured) free falls 80 feet into the river. View.