See all 6 routes on East Walker River
Nevada | Walker River State Recreation Area / Lyon County
East Walker RiverSqueeze Chute Access to Riverbend Access
A combined upper and beginner-level Pitchfork Ranch day float ending near the Riverbend campground.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A combined upper and beginner-level Pitchfork Ranch day float ending near the Riverbend campground.
Access map
Put-in
Squeeze Chute Access (hand-carry water-entry edge)All endpoints are Nevada Trail Finder / State Parks named hand-carry water entries; carry boats from parking and confirm conditions.
Take-out
Riverbend Access (hand-carry water-entry edge)The Diversion Dam take-out is a hazard boundary; do not run or approach the structure.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- All endpoints are Nevada Trail Finder / State Parks named hand-carry water entries; carry boats from parking and confirm conditions.
- The Diversion Dam take-out is a hazard boundary; do not run or approach the structure.
- Last Call is the signed public endpoint; private property begins beyond it and there is no portage.
- Keep intermediate landings to signed public park access and respect ranch gates and private shoreline.
Watch for
- 201–500 cfs sufficient floating level
- Class II/III upper rapids before the easier lower reach
- Cold water, gates and limited cell service
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
East Walker River near Mason, NV. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | East Walker River near Mason, NV |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 201 cfs to 500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 200 cfs |
| High threshold | 500 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Nevada State Parks Pitchfork Ranch Water Trail map |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named public water-trail reachSqueeze Chute Access to Riverbend Access; 3.6 miles
The State Parks map and Nevada Trail Finder publish the named hand-carry access sequence and distances.
- Official scoring band201–500 cfs sufficient floating level; 0–200 not recommended; >500 expert-only cue
Recheck the direct gauge, trend, weather and rapid conditions. Flow guidance does not guarantee safety.
- Direct telemetryUSGS 10293500 East Walker River near Mason
Direct East Walker River telemetry for the Pitchfork Ranch corridor; verify live value and trend before departure.
- Safety and campingPFD, Class II/III scouting, dam/private-property controls and Riverbend/Quail Run basecamp
State Parks and Nevada Trail Finder document the rapids, endpoint boundary and established campgrounds.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
East Walker River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Squeeze Chute Access to Riverbend Access route on the East Walker River?
Paddle Today watches East Walker River near Mason, NV and treats 201 cfs to 500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Squeeze Chute Access to Riverbend Access route on the East Walker River start and end?
This route starts at Squeeze Chute Access (hand-carry water-entry edge) and ends at Riverbend Access (hand-carry water-entry edge), about 3.6 river miles on the water.
Is the Squeeze Chute Access to Riverbend Access route on the East Walker River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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