It makes a sweeping right-hand turn to the west at Jawbone Ridge about 5 mi (8.0 km) from its confluence with the Tuolumne River.
The confluence, about 11 miles (18 km) upstream from Lake Don Pedro, is marked by a dramatic rapid on the Tuolumne called Clavey Falls.
The river has notable swimming holes eroded into the granitic Sierra bedrock.
The Clavey is special because it has some of the highest biotic integrity of any river in California, remaining in relatively good flora/fauna/ecological condition.
This river is unique because it still harbors a pre-glacial remnant population of coastal rainbow trout.