The Main Trinity, the largest tributary of the Klamath, is a mighty river of its own, building steadily as it flows south, then west, then north, draining all but the northern flank of the Salmon-Trinity Alps Wilderness in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The Trinity’s best whitewater stretches are downstream of the North Fork confluence where historic gold mining remnants are left behind, and the scenery is more lush and green as the river flows through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Tributary operates under permit issued by the Big Bar Ranger District of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
An ideal trip for families and youth groups. With the addition of inflatable kayaks, even the experienced or more adventurous rafter will have plenty of excitement. On a multi-day trip, you’ll run a Class 2 run on the first day as a warm-up, and tackle the Class 3 “Pigeon Point” run on the second day. This run has a myriad of Class 2-3 rapids like the Slot, Sailors Bar, and Fish Tail, plus the big one, Hell Hole (Class 3+) that provide a thrill for all. Oar boats are available for those who mostly want to relax and two different sections of Class 2 can be run to make this trip suitable for the more timid or younger rafter.
The wildlife and scenery are excellent along the Trinity or “Hoopa”, as it is called by the local Hoopa tribe. The silent river runner can often sight deer, hawks, eagles, osprey, herons, kingfishers, and the occasional bear, mink, otter and reclusive fisher. During September (usually the first or second weekend) take advantage of higher flows released for the Hoopa White Deerskin Boat Dance.
Camping is offered at vehicle accessible National Forest campgrounds (no showers), wilderness style settings where all gear is taken in separate oar rafts, or most often at the Trinity River Adventure Park, with grassy, shady river side sites.
Historically significant as a gold mining area, nearly 10,000 miners were plying their trade on the Trinity and its side creeks in 1851, when the total population of California was roughly 50,000 people. Legend has it that many Chinese miners lost their lives at a spot near the take-out named “China Slide”, when a huge mountainside slid down and buried them. The mining of the gold rush era drastically altered and impaired the habitat of the Trinity, but so did the dam building era. Built in the 1960s, the Trinity Dam created the third largest California reservoir, which captured the equivalent of two years runoff. Much of the water is diverted to southern California and this has resulted in a serious reduction in the salmon and steelhead runs and devastated the commercial fisheries. Contact TWT for information if you would like to help restore the fisheries.
Trip Details
Duration
Half - 2 Days
Location
Main Trinity River
Season
April to October
Trip Type
Paddle & Oar
Nearest City
Trinity Alps, CA
Physical Condition Required
Good
Destination(s)
California, United States
Rated Classes
II-III+
Distance Traveled
6-18 Miles
Rates
$82.00 - $249.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
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