The Wild and Scenic Clavey River
The Clavey River is one of the longest undammed rivers in the Sierra Nevada. The Clavey flows out of an alpine lake drainage in the Emigrant Wilderness (north of Yosemite National Park) for 47 miles to its confluence with the Tuolumne River. Boulders from the Clavey River help form the infamous class V rapid on the Tuolumne known as Clavey Falls.
The Clavey River canyon remains largely undeveloped, except for occasional road crossings. A significant portion of the Clavey flows through the Stanislaus National Forest. Typical of a National Forest, the area has an extensive network of roads to support commercial logging and open access to remote backcounty for 4-wheel drive and ATVs. Its upper tributaries, Bell and Lily creeks provide trailheads into the Emigrant Wilderness. But for much of its length, people who wish to explore the wild Clavey must do so without the benefit of trails or roads. After Spring run-off has peaked, the Clavey becomes easy to wade and the river can be crossed to reach further along its length.
Clavey River - Home to Diverse and Wild Ecosystem
The Clavey is considered to be one of the most biologically and ecologically rich watersheds in the Sierra. Flowing from more then 9,000 feet in elevation to 1,200 feet, the river canyon encompasses all but one of the ecological life zones of the Sierra Nevada. The Clavey's upper canyon holds a large stand of ancient forest providing critical habitat to the California spotted owl and the Pacific fisher. Further downstream, the river flows through a rocky and brushy canyon typical of the Sierra foothills.
The Clavey's ecosystem hosts healthy communities of aquatic insects, and of course, native rainbow trout. In recognition of the river's wild native trout, the California Department of Fish & Game has designated the Clavey a Wild Trout Stream.
Some information provided by Friends of the River. I would also like to personally thank Ned Morris for some directional help to reach the upper Clavey. (Ned, you're absolutely right about the fight in these fish.)
