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, take a shuttle ride to the put-in point, where boats 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 on the river 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. Fresh fruit, cookies, cold lemonade, and water always accompany lunch.
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. Rolling waves, boulder gardens and thrilling drops keep you busy paddling as you plunge through rapid after rapid. As you reach flat water and Salmon Falls Bridge, the first day on the river draws to a close. From the take-out point, there is a short, steep hill from river's edge to where shuttle 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 of you are not in good physical condition. After enjoying a cold soda or juice from the cooler, you’ll be returned to River’s Bend Resort.
Reaching the campsite at River’s Bend, leave the boats behind for one of the highlights of the trip – evening in camp. Soon you’ll be enjoying 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 hearty breakfast, eager to begin a new day on the North 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.
Before you travel a half of a mile, the much-anticipated stretch of Class IV whitewater begins as you enter the Chamberlain Falls Gorge. Slaughter’s Sluice is a lengthy series of boulder-choked rapids that leads to one of the river’s most formidable challenges: Chamberlain Falls, a crashing eight-foot drop. Zig-Zag, Achilles Heal, and Bogus Thunder are among the continuous steep drops and boulder slaloms that you negotiate. After several miles of aggressive paddling through tumultuous whitewater, you near the end of the Class IV section – but not before facing Staircase, the river’s most infamous rapid and a right of passage as conquerors of the North Fork.
Lunchtime comes and you pull off the water for a delicious picnic. (Please note that lunch may be served prior to or after the trip, depending on your launch time.) 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 on the side of the river with a deli sandwich piled high with fresh cold cuts, cheese and veggies or perhaps tasty taco salad, plus icy lemonade, water or soda, fresh fruit and cookies. After feasting and relaxing on shore, the journey resumes.
Back on the water, float through an absolutely breathtaking exhibit of the Sierra Nevada’s striking scenery. 2000-foot canyon walls tower around you, creating an intimate gorge of polished granite, clear water, spring-green grasses, deep woods and brightly colored wildflowers. As you reach the take-out point on Upper Lake Clementine, 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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