About This Route
The South Fork Merced River near Wawona, from Chilnualna Falls downstream, provides serene fishing for native rainbows amid redwoods and meadows. Special regs apply: artificials only, five-trout limit. Access via Wawona Road and Swing Bridge Trail; park at Wawona Meadow or hotel lot.
Safety Considerations
Uneven riverbanks slick with moss; trekking poles stabilize. Poison oak thrives in underbrush; learn ID via NPS app, wash with tecnu. Warmer waters harbor more rattlesnakes; stick to trails. Summer crowds at pools; space out. Wildfire smoke seasonal; check airnow.gov. Ticks carry disease; permethrin-treat clothes. Hypothermia less issue but flash floods possible; monitor weather.
Essential Gear
License, ultralight rod, PFD, trekking poles, tick tweezers, poison oak soap, fire starter.