Plummeting out of the Desolation Valley basin near Lake Tahoe is the dam-controlled (Oxbow Dam) Middle Fork American River, with 18 miles of both easy and challenging technical rapids. From the moment we enter the river, the ride is challenging and exciting. The high-walls of the river canyon peak at 1,000’.
In the spring the California poppies and blue lupine grow out of the granite walls that line the river. The Tunnel Chute rapid was created when gold miners blasted through rock to change the flow of the river. We position our boats at the top of the Chute and paddle a few forward strokes, which gives us the momentum we need to enter the current, which takes us on a thrilling ride.
- This 1-Day, 18-mile, Class II-IV+ river is perfect for the adventuresome first-time rafter who is in good physical condition, as well as a great step up for the experienced paddler.
- Spectacular features of the Middle Fork River include its remoteness, it’s deep river canyon, high granite cliffs, lush pine forests, lazy stretches of calm water, and wide variety of Class II-IV+ rapids.
- The Middle Fork is dam-controlled, so we can run it from mid-May through mid-September.
At 8 A.M., we meet you in the town of Auburn the morning of your trip. You will leave your cars at the meeting place in Auburn, board our shuttle vehicles, and depart for the Put-In, a 45-minute drive through a the historic gold mining town of Forest Hill. If you spend the night at our South Fork Campground in Coloma, we will depart from there at 7:30 A.M.
Once we leave Forest Hill, we descend into a canyon, beautiful, and isolated in order to reach our Put-In, Oxbow Bend, just below the Oxbow Dam. You will receive a thorough, 30-minute presentation given by your Head Guide. He/she will go over the safety features of the trip, and demonstrate paddle techniques. You will be introduced to your guides, get helmets, and launch your boats into the current. You have a short opportunity to warm up before meeting your first Class II rapid and then a fun Class III rapid, Last Chance.
We have time to admire the beauty of the canyon, and raft through Last Chance, a fun Class III rapid before we get to the Tunnel Chute rapid! Tunnel Chute is froth and foam, a steep drop during which you just "hang on". At the end of the rapid, after having successfully paddled through the tunnel, we take a short break before heading down-river for Thread the Needle rapid, and Kanaka, a big Class IV rapid. After that we have a few miles of lovely Class II-III rapids. We raft past spectacular 1,000' foot high cliffs, and possibly see modern-day gold miners.
When we get hungry, we will beach the boats and enjoy a hearty lunch. Our lunch site offers spectacular canyon vistas. After re-boarding our rafts, we paddle through lots of different rapids and several stretches of calm water and enjoy the gorgeous vistas and spectacular 1,000’ high cliffs. Chunder rapid, a big Class IV, warns us that we are almost at Ruck-A-Chucky, a Class VI rapid and maze of huge boulders.
We will portage the boats around this and the guests will do a short climb over boulders, in order to walk around the rapid. After re-boarding your rafts you will raft through several Class IV rapids, Cleavage and Parallel Parking, plus some smaller rapids in a very narrow, and beautiful gorge. There are several sharp turns in this canyon so we are always anticipating what will come next.
About 3 P.M. we will arrive at the take-out, Greenwood Bridge, enjoy a beverage, and drive the 30-minutes back to Auburn. Our kayaking-photographer will give you a slide show of the day’s run and you may order.
Camping the night prior to your trip: You may camp with us at our South Fork American River Campground the night prior to your trip for an additional charge.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Minimum deposit: $75.00
Price Includes:
- 1 day of rafting
- 1 meal (deli lunch)
Also see tour packages in:
USA
California
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
|
