Half-Day Trip:
On a half-day trip, you’ll meet at 9:30am and your group will be transported to the top of the river near Placerville. On this section, the action begins soon with Meatgrinder and continues for the next 5+ miles with Racehorse Bend, Triple Threat, the Class 3+ Troublemaker and others. The river slows after this and you’ll float past the Marshal Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Lunch is not served on this trip and you arrive back at the meeting location at approximately 2:00pm. There are facilities at several locations for a picnic lunch, and beach areas suitable for swimming and playing. An afternoon half day can be arranged on occasions and this is run on the ‘Gorge’ (see below), but there is no lunch stop. Times for this trip are normally 1:00pm-5:00pm. 1-Day Trip:
On a one-day trip, you’ll meet at 10:30am. The pace is fairly gentle to start, with a couple of Class 2 rapids to warm up on before lunch. After this, you’ll enter the steep granite canyon known as the 'Gorge' and the rapids occur frequently, with Fowler’s Rock, the Class 3+ Satan’s Cesspool, Bouncing Rock, Hospital Bar and numerous milder but fun rapids. This trip ends at Folsom reservoir where you are served with ice cold drinks and the group is returned to the meeting location, usually by 5:00pm. One-day trips can also be scheduled on the Upper Chili Bar run (see half day) and times would be 9:30am to 3:30pm.
The 21-mile trip is usually run in two days, but Tributary also offers this trip as a long one-day option. The two sections above are combined and you meet at 9:30am, stop at the mid-way point for lunch and return you to camp by approximately 6:00pm.
Lunches usually consist of a deli-style spread with a selection of breads, meats and cheeses, or a pita sandwich. Tomatoes, avocados, lettuce, sprouts, chips and salsa, fresh fruit, cookies, vegetables and dip are included. Tributary is glad to accommodate any special dietary needs.
Professional photographer's film at several major rapids on the river and usually have proofs ready to view within a couple of hours in nearby Coloma.
To extend your stay, camping can be arranged before or after the trip, or you may want to consider Tributary’s two-day trip (see below). 2-Day Trip:
On a two-day trip, you’ll meet on the first morning after breakfast, usually at 10:30am. The river can be run ‘top to bottom’, but the usual sequence is to run the lower ‘Gorge’ run on the first day. This allows for a little later start on the first day and allows for an earlier departure time on the second day. This may be important if you have to travel any distance to get to the river and the times are scheduled due to the time of the dam releases. See the one-day trip description and lunches. You will normally arrive back at camp by 5:00pm.
In the evening, you will have time to set-up camp, swim, play volleyball, check out the photos in nearby Coloma, or simply relax with a cold drink while your guides prepare your meal. Dinner will normally be served around 7:30pm and appetizers are available, usually vegetables and dips; cheese and crackers; and chips and salsa. A cooler of drinks and a moderate amount of wine are also provided. The main course will normally consist of barbecued chicken, baked potatoes, mixed salad with artichoke hearts, corn and garlic bread. However much is consumed; everyone still finds room for the Dutch oven baked desserts served with whipped cream. After dark, a slide show of the day’s events is usually available in the amphitheater above the campsites.
Next morning, you will wake to the aroma of coffee brewing and while the guides prepare breakfast, personal camping gear can be packed. Breakfast will normally be served around 8:30am and consists of either pancakes or eggs and hash browns with sausage or bacon, fresh fruit, pastries, orange juice, milk, tea and coffee. You will depart from camp around 10:00am and head towards Placerville for the put-in on the ‘Chili Bar’ run (see half-day trip for description).
Lunch will be served, either at a wilderness spot next to the First, Second and Third Threat rapids, or at Marshall Gold State Park where you can visit the historical sites while the guides' set-up. You will raft into camp, usually by 3:30pm. You will be greeted with ice cold drinks, before departing on your homeward journey. |
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