Upper Log Ride Introduction
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Upper Log Ride Introduction

Rating: 3-C2 III *****
Time: 8-10 hours
Season: Low: June-Sept Norm: July–Sept High: Aug-Sept
Number of Raps: 6 + 2 Jumps
Longest Rap: ~150ft
Gear: 2x 200ft rope, 125ft webbing, 6 rapides, wetsuit, neoprene gloves, technical canyoneering gear
Rubber: At least 4mm/3mm. 5mm or more recommended under most conditions. The water is very cold!
Hazards: Jumps to 40ft, raps in waterfalls, numerous downclimbs, natural anchors. A solid understanding of swift water canyoneering technique and basic natural anchor skills are required. 		Vehicle: High Clearance 2WD
Car Shuttle: 0.8 miles
Approach: 0.3 mi and -500 feet
Exit: ~1/2 mile and +1000 feet (death march)

Introduction:

Upper Log Ride is one of two spectacular canyon routes that fall though an incredible and remote gorge in the Feather River watershed. Upper Log Ride boasts many charms including heart pounding jumps, majestic rappels, slides and plentiful river scrambling and downclimbing. The final rappel drops you into the canyon’s namesake, the log pool. This pool is immense and collects driftwood up to the size of significant trees. At the end of our descent in 2007 we spent a long time playing in this pool. We rode tree trunks around and around in the swirling log ride.


Upper Log Ride is situated in a significant drainage and will contain a large amount of water (in canyoneering terms anyway) at all times. All this water flows naturally through the canyon and will fluctuate with the progress of the snowmelt. This fact creates two logistical challenges for the canyoneer. First, you must time your decent so that peak snowmelt is long past. Too little water will not be a big concern in Upper Log Ride. However, too much water could be deadly. Under high flow the entire route would turn into a tremendous drowning machine. Second, the water in Upper Log Ride is always cold and you will be in it for hours. Don’t be fooled by air temperatures in the 90s, a 4-5mm wetsuit will be necessary. Do not enter this canyon under high flow or without sufficient thermal protection. You have been warned!

Upper Log Ride is very playful. As long as the flow is manageable, the canyon can be relatively safe as class C canyons go. However, this canyon is not suitable for raw beginners without advanced leadership. Careful routefinding and advanced judgment will be necessary to safely descend the route.

Full route descriptions with driving directions, canyon play-by-plays and more are available to Sierra Canyons members. Membership to the site is by invitation. Sierra Canyons members can invite new members or from time to time you may request an invitation from the site administrators. You may ask members for an invitation on the forums or check the sidebar for invitation requests.