Paddling the Merced to the ocean

Hi guys,

I've been having some hincklings about a possible bikepacking/float trip from the valley to the pacific. Does anyone have any beta to know if this is possible? The thought would be to packraft from the valley down the Merced (portaging the bigger rapids) and connecting rivers via bike to exit out of the Carquinez on the San Joaquin. Anyone done this?

Thanks,

J

I imagine you found this already: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/09/opinion/endangered-river-ctl/
Looks like an adventure! Do it!

Super neat, my search was preoccupied with how anxiety inducing the idea of running big rapids with a bike on the front of my boat sounded. Thanks! Certainly an important story to hear about such an important river

Jack Yipwrote:

Hi guys,

I've been having some hincklings about a possible bikepacking/float trip from the valley to the pacific. Does anyone have any beta to know if this is possible? The thought would be to packraft from the valley down the Merced (portaging the bigger rapids) and connecting rivers via bike to exit out of the Carquinez on the San Joaquin. Anyone done this?

Thanks,

J

I'd like to help, but I can't figure out what a "hinckling" is.

Kayaking down the Sacramento River from Redding to SF sounds far more enjoyable. 

Charlie Kissickwrote:

Kayaking down the Sacramento River from Redding to SF sounds far more enjoyable. 

The Redding to Red Bluff section is certainly fun. 

The Merced River goes into Lake McClure.  You would paddle to Barret Cove and then bike along McClure and Lake McSwain and put in below Merced Falls near Snelling.  There are a couple very moderate sections above Snelling then you are in for many miles of slow and warm water, all the way to the Merced's junction with the San Joaquin, after which there will be many more miles of very slow and warm water heading north to the Delta where you can navigate your way to your take-out.  

The trip is very doable but all excitement ends at Bagby.

but all excitement ends at Bagby.

Ain't that the truth!