6.2 First road bridge. Shasta Retreat and the first houses of Dunsmiur are just downstream on the left bank. Parking is plentiful nearby. There are other possible take-out spots in Dunsmuir. Turn left, cross the freeway, and turn south onto Old Stage Road.
Parking is tight on river left at the bridge over the reservoir.
Except at low flows you need to inflate your boat before lowering it over the cliff down to the river, because there are no flat spots near the water. The climb down the cliff, perhaps using an iron ladder, is ardous. You might need to repark your vehicle after unloading boats. Downstream of Dunsmuir, the Sacramento still packs plenty of class III and IV rapids. Because it has water longer into the season, owing to sidestreams, the most popular stretch is from Sims Flat to Fender Ferry Road bridge near Vollmers.