WHITEWATER RAFTING

Merced River Rafting

You’ll love the Merced for this exhilarating whitewater: long wave trains and fast chutes, broken by an occasional glassy pool. Spring and early summer flows on this river create lots of big, frothy rapids, meriting a solid Class IV – a natural progression from a Class II river like the South Fork American. As a free flowing river, the Merced generally reaches its prime in May; in June, runoff slows, offering fun but less challenging Class III whitewater.

Trip Details

Day 1:
You’ll meet your trip leader and fellow adventurers at 9:30am. Once everybody’s arrived, board the shuttle to the river. Reaching the put-in point, you’ll meet the rest of your O.A.R.S. crew and feel your anticipation build as you see the rafts waiting for you. After the guides deliver an orientation and safety talk, the adventure begins.

The Merced trip starts out with a bang – at least one mile of constant Class III-IV whitewater immediately puts your paddling skills and teamwork to the test. Exhilarating wave trains, sweeping or sudden river bends and quick drops keep your heart pounding and your paddle digging as you continue through Nightmare Island and Chipped Tooth, two Class IV rapids that merge into one during higher flows.

Each mile brings more white-knuckling thrills, more laughs, adrenaline and high fives. Still excitingly consistent, the river does begin to give you short breaks between big rapids like Stark Reality, Cranberry Hole and Percolator.

Beyond the alternating clear pools and frothy whitewater, the surrounding scenery is magnificent and the calm stretches give you a chance to enjoy it. Just outside of Yosemite, you’re rafting through a picturesque canyon adorned with pine forests, colorful wildflowers, rocky ledges and sandy beaches.

Lunchtime comes and you pull off the water for a delicious picnic. Knowing that a morning of hard paddling inspires a very hearty appetite, O.A.R.S. makes sure that lunches are always abundant and satisfying. Lounge in the shade with a deli sandwich piled high with fresh cold cuts, cheese and veggies or perhaps tasty taco salad, plus fresh fruit, cookies, icy lemonade, and water. After feasting and relaxing on the beach, the journey resumes.

Back on the river, Class III and IV challenges like Ned’s Gulch and Gauge Hole provide afternoon thrills as you continue down the Merced. On warm days, the slower stretches of cool water may invite you to jump in for an invigorating swim.

As you reach Briceburg or Railroad Flat, the river trip draws to a close. At the take-out point, an O.A.R.S. shuttle will be waiting to give you a ride back to Sand Pit. You’ll be returned to your car by approximately 5:00pm.