EAST FORK, CARSON RIVER
This is a mellow to moderate rafting experience under normal run-off, with most rapids rated Class II or III. But the season is short-usually mid-April to late June-because there are no dams to control the flows.The most popular run is 19.5 miles long; it begins three miles south of Markleeville on Highway 89 at Hangman's Bridge(where vigilantes lynched an alleged murderer in 1874) and ends in Nevada five miles south of Gardnerville.While some tours can do the river in a day, most involve two days with an overnight camp out on public lands. There are many notable features to recommend a trip on the East Carson Fork, among them the transition from alpine terrain with pine trees (at 5,500 feet) to high desert bluffs with chaparral. The scenery is spectacular and constantly changing, and the river is a good introduction to white-water. Sidewinder rapid, rated Class III is probably the most difficult rapid. A highlight of the trip is a stop at East Carson Hot Springs, about halfway down the run, where you can soak in a natural pool that averages 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Just before the take-out above Ruhenstroth Dam(which has a dangerous 30 foot waterfall), you'll float through a spectacular gorge that is lined by formations called "The Crags."
SOUTH FORK, AMERICAN RIVER
One of the nation's most popular white water rivers, it is about an 80-minute drive from Lake Tahoe. With its head waters in Desolation Wilderness, the South Fork offers a rich gold mining history, waters that range from placid to pulverizing, and a panoramic canyon that is filled with rollicking "haystacks". The full run of 20.5 miles is normally done in two days, but outfitters also cover two stretches in single-day trips. The first from Chili Bar to Lotus, is about 11 miles long and contains two Class III+ rapids: Meat grinder, along rock garden with a submerged boulder at the end, and Troublemaker, a maze of boulders and strong rapids. The second stretch from Lotus to Salmon Falls Bridge at Folsom lake , is nine miles long and includes hair-raisers such as Satan's Cesspool, a class III+ rapid that has two precipitous drops, as well as a large rock where a peanut gallery of spectators usually gathers to watch the action. There are several advantages in running the American River: a low elevation(less than 1,000 feet at the highest put in), consistently hot temperatures in summer, and good, developed campgrounds along the route. Some outfitters have permanent midpoint stations with hot showers, picnic grounds and bathrooms, along with shaded campsites.One drawback is that weekends can see 2,000 or more river rats in one day, with a succession of buses disgorging mobs of people. At Coloma, rafters pass one of California's most famous historic sites-the place where James Marshall discovered gold at John Sutter's mill in 1848.triggering the '49er Gold Rush. Those who have time after their river excursion might wish to explore the vintage towns of Placerville or Auburn, where historic districts abound.
MIDDLE FORK, AMERICAN RIVER
River starts west of Squaw Valley with many old mining towns along its banks.Class IV and V rapids along the 25 mile run; a portage around Ruck-a-Chucky Falls.Must be strong and fit. Tunnel Chute is a blast, literally through the rock. One boat at a time. Put in 23 miles east of Auburn and the take-out is near the confluence of the Middle Fork and the North Fork of the American. The flow of the Middle Fork is controlled by dams. Run it May through September. It's hot in those canyons.
TRUCKEE RIVER
Commercial rafting began on this stretch of the river , located east of Truckee, in the summer of 1996,after two years of strong spring runoff created a viable white-water experience. A handful of outfitters have permits to run a 5.5 mile portion of the river between Boca Bridge and Floriston, roughly paralleling Interstate 80. This rafting run is quite a discovery; it contains scenic canyons and good fishing waters. Unfortunately, it also has more than its share of debris, a result of years of discards that include old cars, the wreckage of a small airplane, railroad paraphernalia, and construction rebar that occasionally pokes out of the water. The outfitters give it a Class III+ rating(moderately difficult). There is a hairball drop called Bronco that probably should rate as Class IV+, and if you don't hold on tight you could get pitched overboard.
WEST WALKER RIVER
Extremely technical run for seasoned veterans only. 12 to 14 mile run starts at Sonora Bridge and ends in Walker, California. The river drops 100 feet every mile, so the run is fast, furious and exciting. Wet suits are a must. The seson runs from early June to late July.
SOUTH BAY RIVER RAFTERS INC.
P.O.Box 243
Hermosa Beach, California 90254
800-655-RAFT
CBOC WHITEWATER RAFTING ADVENTURES
P.O.Box 554, Coloma, California 95613, 916-621-1236
SOUTH FORK, AMERICAN RIVER,
MIDDLE FORK, AMERICAN RIVER
APRIL TO SEPTEMBER
WHITE WATER CONNECTION
7170 Highway 49, P.O.Box 270, Coloma, California 95613,
SOUTH FORK, AMERICAN RIVER
ACCESS TO ADVENTURE
Heidi and Doug Cole
92520 Highway 96, Somes Bar, CA. 95568
EAST FORK OF THE CARSON RIVER
SOUTH, MIDDLE AND NORTH FORKS OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
ADVENTURE CONNECTION
Nate Rangel, P.O.Box 475, Coloma, CA. 95613,
SOUTH AND MIDDLE FORKS OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
916-626-7385 or 800-556-6060
AHWAHNEE ADVENTURES
P.O.Box 1161, Columbia, CA.95310
EAST FORK OF THE CARSON RIVER
209-533-1401 or 800-359-9790
BEYOND LIMITS ADVENTURES
Mike Doyle, P.O.Box 215, Riverbank, CA. 95367
209-869-6060 or 800-234-RAFT(7238)
Web Site: http://www.rivertrip.com
E-Mail: bla@rivertrip.com
EARTHTREK EXPEDITIONS
P.O.Box 1010, Lotus, CA. 95651
ALL FORKS OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
916-642-1900 or 800-229-8735
E-mail: trek@inforum.net
I.R.I.E.
Frank Wohlfahrt and Doug Barriger, P.O.Box 3150, Olympic Valley, CA. 96146
EAST FORK OF THE CARSON RIVER
WEST FORK OF THE WALKER RIVER
NORTH AND MIDDLE FORKS OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
916-587-1184
OARS
Since 1970, P.O.Box 67, Angels Camp, CA. 95222
SOUTH FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
MIDDLE FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
209-736-4677 or 800-346-6277
R.A.M(RIVER ADVENTURES AND MORE)
Don Kellar,P.O.Box 5283, Reno, Nevada 89513, 800-466-7238(RAFT)
LOWER TRUCKEE RIVER
EAST FORK OF THE CARSON RIVER
SOUTH FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
MIDDLE FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
SUNSHINE RIVER ADVENTURES
Jim Foust, P.O.Box 1445, Oakdale, CA. 95361, 209-848-4800 or 800-829-7238
EAST FORK OF THE CARSON RIVER
TAHOE WHITEWATER TOURS
Mike Miltner, P.O.Box 5283, Tahoe City, CA. 96145
SOUTH FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
EAST FORK OF THE CARSON RIVER
LOWER TRUCKEE RIVER
916-581-2441 or 800-581-2441
TRIBUTARY WHITEWATER TOURS
Lorraine and Dan Buckley, 20480 Woodbury Drive, Grass Valley, CA. 95949
LOWER TRUCKEE RIVER
EAST FORK OF THE CARSON RIVER
SOUTH AND MIDDLE FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
WEST FORK OF THE WALKER RIVER
916-346-6812 or 800-672-3846
WHITEWATER EXCITEMENT
Norm Schoenhoff, P.O.Box 5992, Auburn, CA. 95604
LOWER TRUCKEE RIVER
NORTH,SOUTH AND MIDDLE FORKS OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
916-888-6515 or 800-750-2386
WHITEWATER VOYAGES
5225 San Pablo Dam Road,El Sobrante,CA. 94803, 510-222-5994 OR 800-488-7238
SOUTH FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER
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