SOUTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER/MIDDLE FORK AMERICAN RIVER
COMBO
The combo trip of the South Fork American and Middle Fork American is ideal rafting trip for those wanting to warm up on some Class 3 rapids before stepping up to the more exciting Class 4 action on the Middle Fork American on the 2nd or 3rd day.
The South Fork American River is an
exciting, fun Class 3 run, with memorable rapids like Bouncing Rock, Satan's
Cesspool and Hospital Bar. The river flows through the green and gold foothills
of California's Gold Rush Country and has served as an introduction to river
rafting for countless beginners and continues to lure veterans back year after
year. On the combo trip with the Middle Fork American River, you can select 1-2 days of
Class 4 action on the 2nd or 3rd day. The itinerary for the 2 day combo
follows.
First day of a South American/Middle Fork American River Combo:
We meet you after breakfast
at Rivers Bend Resort in Coloma/Lotus. Our guides will give an orientation talk
and paddling instruction, and lifejackets are fitted. Before lunch we raft an
easier section of river, allowing time to hone your paddling skills for the
exciting Class 3 rapids to follow on the South Fork American 'Gorge'.
Lunch is taken on the river and usually consists of a deli-style spread
with a selection of breads, meats, cheeses, tomatoes, avocados, lettuce,
sprouts, chips and salsa, fresh fruit, cookies and vegetables with dip. In the
next 9 miles, we tackle rapids like Bouncing Rock, Satan's Cesspool and
Hospital Bar, and then take-out at Folsom reservoir where cold drinks are
served and we transport you back to camp, usually by 5:00 pm
In the evening of a South American/Middle Fork American River Combo:
While the guides prepare dinner, clients can set-up their
camp, swim, play volleyball and check out the photos in camp or nearby in
Coloma. Professional photographers film at several of the major rapids, and we
have a set up in camp to view the action of the day. Ask your guide for a
coupon and order your South Fork American River photos before you leave
Coloma, as they are not available online. In the early evening,
appetizers of vegetables, dip, cheese and crackers are served, followed by
barbecued chicken and/or tri-tip, baked potatoes, corn, mixed salad and garlic
bread. Leave room for desert, which may be baked in Dutch-ovens, and/or
assorted summer offerings like strawberry cheesecake, coconut cream pie and
chocolate gateau.
Second day of a South American/Middle Fork American River Combo:
Personal gear is packed while the guides prepare a continental breakfast with
fresh fruit, pastries, muffins, orange juice, milk and hot beverages.We depart early from camp around 8:00 am due to the length of the Middle Fork American River run and we
caravan to Auburn. From here, we transport you through Foresthill to the
put-in below Oxbow Reservoir. The famed 'Tunnel Chute' is encountered early in
the trip, and this is followed by numerous Class 3 rapids and the Class 4+
'Kanaka'. Lunch is served on a beach during the 7 mile stretch of
Class 2, before the 'Ruck-a-Chucky' portage. There are also the additional
Class 4 rapids of 'Chunder' and 'Parallel Parking' and more Class 3 to the
take-out. You will normally be back in Auburn by 5:00 pm, close to I80 for your
journey home. Photos for your Middle Fork American River trip are available
online and the website can be accessed via
www.whitewatertours.com/photo_links.htm. 
For longer combo rafting trips on the American River:
We can combine sections of the American River for trips of
3-5 days. You can include the Chili Bar run on the
South Fork, spend a night in the Middle Fork
Canyon, raft another 7 miles on the Middle Fork
American River, or in the spring, add 9 miles of Class 4 on the North Fork
American River.
Class: 3-4
Length:28, 38 or 44 mile trips in 2-5 days, April -
Oct
Location: Meeting in Coloma, off Highway 49 between Placerville
& Auburn, and ending between Foresthill & Auburn.
Distances/Times
for travel for meeting for the South American/Middle Fork American combo:
|
15 mins/12 miles N. of Placerville
20 mins/15
miles S. of Auburn
45 mins/31 miles E of Roseville
43 mins/32 miles E
of Folsom
1 hr/(53
miles E. of Sacramento
1 ½ hrs/82 miles SW of Truckee
1 ¾ hrs/98 miles
N. of Stockton
1 3/4 hrs/72 miles W. of S. lake Tahoe
1 hr 54 mins/114 miles SW of Reno
2 ¼ hrs/134 miles NE of San Francisco
2 ½ hrs/164 miles NE of San Jose
2 hrs/115 miles SE of Chico
4+ hrs/152 miles NW of El Portal/Yosemite |
PLEASE ALLOW
EXTRA TIME DURING BUSY
HOLIDAY PERIODS
NOTICE: Water flows in the South Fork
American River result from releases from hydroelectric facilities located
upstream. Such water releases are not subject to the control of El Dorado
County or commercial rafting companies operating under permit from the County
of El Dorado
Please click on
map for a detailed map and directions to the South Fork area.
California White
Water Rafting - South Fork American/Middle Fork American River Combo
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