Come out and join NORCAL RAFTERS for a SPLASH-TASTIC SUNDAYout on the American River.
There is a fun surf spot right at put in called the Chili Bar hole. The river starts off with Meatgrinder which is a challenging Class III rapid. You do not want to fall out here because of a possible long swim. You will soon be tested by Racehorse Bend, Maya, Triple Threat, and finally Troublemaker, the reknown rapid which usually lives up to its name. The great thing about Troublemaker is that the cameras are rolling and there is usually a crowd of people waiting for some trouble. Troublemaker is followed by several miles of Class II rapids, including the Gremlin and Old Scary. We'll stop at Henningsen-Lotus Park for a delicious BBQ with hotdogs and hamburgers, then it's back in the water we go.
The Gorge run picks up at Camp Lotus where the Chili Bar run left off. It starts with six miles of Class II - III rapids including Current Divider and Highway Rapid. When you see the Lollipop Tree (a tree shaped like a lollipop) for a third time you're about to enter the Gorge.
The Gorge starts with Fowler's Rock which is a Class III+ rapid that has great potential to "wrap" or flip a boat. Following Fowler's areUpper Haystack, Lost Hat(ask Ernest where his HAT is), Satan's Cesspool (be sure to smile for the cameras again), Scissors, Bouncing Rock, Hospital Bar, and Surprise.
The trip ends on Folsom Lake where we will be towed out via waverunners to Salmon Falls bridge. Once the run is complete, we'll carpool back up to Coloma to look at the pics taken by WhiteWater Photography.
***This season is being called a "high water" season due to the extensive snowfall in the Sierras. The usual speed of the river (measured in CFS or cubic feet per second) was around 1750 cfs last year, but this season the average has been in the high 4000's to low 6000's! You can check out the current flow at www.norcalraft.com to see what you're in for!***
Because of the high water this season, Class V PFDs (lifejackets) and wetsuits will most likely be mandatory all season. NorCal Rafters will supply the Class V PDFs as well as the paddles, but you will be responsible for your wetsuit.
If you do not have a wetsuit, please email me your height and weight, and one will be provided for you day of, wetsuit rentals are $20. It's easier and more convenient for me to reserve wetsuits in bulk so please DO NOT FORGET to email me individual height and weight so I can reserve them.
You can rent a wetsuit at:
Sierra Outdoor Center
440 Lincoln Way Auburn,Ca
(530) 885-1844
Wetsuits are $20 per day. We will supply the Class V PDFs as well as the paddles
Come on out and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the South Fork of the American, and be prepared to have LOTS OF FUN in the Coloma sun. Just bring yourself and big smile!
*** WHITE WATER RAFTING IS A DANGEROUS ACTIVITY, WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS, Please RSVP at your own risk ***
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED:
1. Wetsuit
2. Watershoes/tennis shoes
Shared costs include rentals of paddles and PDFs, parking, tow out costs, possible loss of equipment and BBQ lunch. Average cost of a trip like this is usually over $100 per person, this trip will be significantly cheaper so contact us for the cost of this trip or if you have any questions.