Day 1:
Meet at 10:00am at River’s Bend Resort on the South Fork American, next to O.A.R.S.’ River Store – from the parking lot, walk past the photo board and up the trail, following the signs to River’s Bend upstream. Once everybody’s arrived, shuttle to the put-in point on the South Fork, where and the rest of the O.A.R.S. crew await. Guides will present a thorough safety talk, then the adventure begins.
Spend the remainder of the morning sharpening your paddling skills in fun Class II rapids like Barking Dog and Current Divider. Calm pools in between rapids beckon you to jump in the river and cool off. Lunchtime comes and you pull off the water for a delicious picnic. Knowing that even a couple of hours of paddling can inspire a very hearty appetite, O.A.R.S. makes sure that lunches are always abundant and satisfying, whether it’s a barbecue or a deli spread with fresh meats, cheeses, veggies and breads. Lunch is always accompanied by fresh fruit, cookies, cold lemonade, and water.
Back in the boats, follow the river as it spills through the narrow granite walls of The Gorge. The sudden tightening of the river corridor along with a now steeper gradient creates some of the biggest, most exciting whitewater on the South Fork, including Fowler’s Rock, Satan’s Cesspool and Hospital Bar. As you reach flat water and Salmon Falls Bridge, the first day draws to a close. From the take-out point, there is a short, steep hill from river's edge to where vehicles wait. Although guides very much appreciate any help in carrying the rafts and other equipment up to the vehicles, it is not required or even encouraged if you are not in good physical condition. Once all the gear is loaded in the vehicles, return to camp at River’s Bend Resort.
Back at home base, enjoy pleasing hors d’oeuvres and a cold drink – delicious as these treats are, they always taste better after a day on the river! Take a swim or a shower, join a game of volleyball or horseshoes, or sit back with that novel you’ve been wanting to finish as the guides prepare dinner. The evening meal is served at about 7:00pm, and you see that guides aren’t only talented in their whitewater skills – their delicious barbecued steak and chicken, Mediterranean pasta or Dutch oven lasagna are always a big hit. Day 2:
Rise in the morning to fresh coffee and a Continental breakfast, eager to begin a new day on the Middle Fork American. You may follow the guides in your own vehicle up to Auburn, where there is a place to park your car or you may ride with them in their van. If you choose to ride with the guides, you will need to go back to River’s Bend Resort after the trip to pick up your car.
Not a minute from launching, you encounter your first whitewater. Aptly named Good Morning, this big-wave Class III rapid will get your blood flowing and your heart pumping, eliminating any remaining sleepiness from the early morning. The next mile and a half brings several Class II-III rapids in quick succession, giving you a chance to sharpen your paddling skills for the mother rapid of the Middle Fork: Tunnel Chute, which is fast approaching.
You hear the ominous roar as you approach Last Chance, a thrilling Class IV drop that positions you for entry into Tunnel Chute. Paddle hard, lining up the raft to go flying down the falls and into Tunnel Chute, a long, growling stretch of whitewater that paws you back and forth through its frothing channel and, as you emerge with laughter and cheers, down through the famous underground stretch of river. 100 yards later, float back into the sunlight, with your heart still pounding like miners’ tools breaking the rocks for gold. For the next mile and a half, you happily negotiate more adrenaline-pumping Class II-IV rapids with highlights like First Flip and Kanaka Falls.
After plummeting through Kanaka, the river changes considerably, meandering over several miles of calm water. This is a great chance for you to rest your arms momentarily and gaze up at the beautiful scenery. You are now in the heart of Auburn State Recreation Area in the American River Canyon, where steep walls covered in pine forests plunge down into the boulder-strewn river. Lunchtime soon arrives and you pull off the water for a delicious picnic.
Back in the boats, finish paddling through the flat-water section, them prepare for another long stretch of continuous whitewater action. An intense Class IV drop, Chunder gets you back in the swing of things just before you make a hard right and pull off the river above the roaring Ruck-A-Chucky Falls. This 35-foot waterfall is classified an unrunnable VI, which means that you must get out of the boats and portage the rapid. Walk down the side of the pounding falls, then look back up to see guides “ghost boating” the empty rafts – pushing them over the falls – for an idea of what happens to boats in Class VI whitewater! Back on the river, finish the day with another mile and a half of premium rapids like Parallel Parking, Texas Chainsaw Mama and Final Exam.
As you reach the take-out point at Driver’s Flat, the river trip draws to a close. An O.A.R.S. shuttle will be waiting to give you a 30-minute ride back to Auburn and your vehicle. For those who rode with the guides, you will be returned to your vehicle at River’s Bend Resort. |
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