There is a lot to do and see in Coloma and the surrounding areas, so why not take a few days. Located close to Yosemite National Park. Stretch: Oxbow to Greenwood Bridge For those who have experienced the South Fork and the Tuolumne and who want another adventure, the … South Fork . This is an amazing rapid and interesting place that all serious California rafters should visit at least once. South Fork American River Rafting > Mile-by-Mile. H2O hits your face early with Good Morning rapid. Large pools follow most of the rapids allowing you plenty of time to set up for the next rapid or to regroup after that unexpected, out-of-boat experience. There are a couple of very memorable rapids on this run, the first being “Tunnel Chute”. This very popular run involves the Class IV+ Tunnel Chute and some other great rapids. Coloma is in the heart of El Dorado Wine Country and surrounded by beautiful Hiking, Biking and Equestrian Trails. The Middle Fork American careens through a secluded canyon over numerous Class IV rapids, including infamous Tunnel Chute Rapid. On the Middle Fork American River you will encounter many Class 4 rapids including Tunnel Chute, Kanaka, Bus Crash, Cleavage and more! You can combine a Middle Fork rafting trip with the South Fork or North Fork for a truly exhilarating and unforgettable multi-day rafting adventure. The Middle Fork of the American River is located 30 minutes from Auburn, 50 miles North East of Sacramento, and only 140 miles East of San Francisco. It is a beautiful wilderness river rafting trip that is eligible for Federal Wild & Scenic status. Close × Office Hours. Beautiful creek that carries a lot of water from the snowmelt in the spring. It is also the most reliable in terms of its patterns and has a long season. Rebecca, Josh and Christina were guides on other rafts and they were very skilled and very impressive to watch. Rafting with O.A.R.S and a hand full of GoPro's And the North Fork sparkles with Class IV spring run-off thrills and pristine beauty. Whitewater Rafting on the Middle Fork of the American River. There is a new portage trail on the right that can be used to carry your boats. Season: May – September We are the place to be for work and fun! Please call us at 530-642-0804 or email [email protected]. We know – we are parents too! Go big through the world-class drops on the Class IV Middle Fork. There are many sharp rocks hidden in the chute…so think twice before you decide to fall out or swim it. At the bottom of this rapid, we are joined by the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River. This afternoon half day trip meets in Auburn, California, also a historic mining town, and known as the “Endurance Capital of the World”. GO BIG….then go home! This stunning 18-mile section of Rivers with Class I flat water interspersed with occasional Class II rapids: waves 1-2 feet high. We will continue through several more Class III & IV rapids as we close in on Tunnel Chute, an 18-foot drop in a narrow 80-foot chute of granite. Mile 0.1 Difficulty: Class III/IV Most of the rapids in this rocky gorge can be scouted from paved turnouts along Highway 199. Whitewater Rafting on the Middle Fork of the American River. The Middle Fork of the American River is a true wilderness rafting experience, secluded timeless beauty full of human history from the Gold Rush era along with some of the biggest rapids rafted in California, including the ultimate in “Big Drops” at the Tunnel Chute Rapid. Mile 1.4 Oregon Hole Gorge (Also referred to as the Middle Fork Gorge) is a classic run on the Smith River. Mile 3.0 Warm up on the fun rapids of the South Fork and then head to the Middle Fork for an even more intense run surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Rafting on the Middle Fork American River offers some of the most reliable Class 4 all season California whitewater rafting trips. Rebecca, Josh and Christina were guides on other rafts and they were very skilled and very impressive to watch. Then you’ll suddenly find yourself underground for 90 feet traveling through a tunnel blasted by the gold miners long ago. There are also numerous class II rapids scattered throughout the canyon. The South Fork of the American River is our most popular rafting trip in California because it has lots of Class I to Class III+ rapids, a long rafting season and has a perfect safety record. Covering 18 river miles, you’ll experience one long, exhilarating day on the river on this truly scenic rafting trip. After your safety talk and paddle talk, you’ll be on your way. Leave your vehicle at the secure parking area and ride our shuttle to the river. Good Morning (Class III) – Aptly named rapid is going to make sure you’re awake and paying attention to your guide. Chunder (Class IV) This trip is perfect for adventurous novices as well as the more experienced individuals who have rafted the South Fork and are looking for something more adventurous. The rapids on the Middle Fork are created by large boulders and natural slides with the exception of Tunnel Chute. In addition to the bigger rapids there are also numerous Class II rapids scattered throughout the deep canyon. The Middle Fork of the American River is one of the most popular commercial whitewater runs in the Mother Lode. The plant sits on the bluff above the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, and the 3.3 million cubic yards of coal ash produced over its 55-year operating life were dumped into three massive pits in the floodplain below. Escape to the Middle Fork. – Always a fun run down but don’t fall out. The rapids on the Middle Fork are created by large boulders. 7/5/2017 Tunnel Chute is amazingly vicious this year because of all the snow melt. Option 3: Meet at our Camp in Coloma at 7:00 AM the morning of your trip. If attempted and successful, luck deserves the largest portion of credit. The 2021 Middle Fork Season will run from May through the end of September with excellent water flows out of the dam. It is a suitable raft trip for the active, fit and adventurous first-timer or a great choice for those seeking a step-up from the milder South Fork American River. – The “scenic” section ends at Chunder, a fun vertical drop that can be easily scouted on the right. Rivers with Class I flat water interspersed with occasional Class II rapids: waves 1-2 feet high. The rapids on the South Fork are "rock garden" style rapids: meaning rocks in the channel create the rapids. The sharp rock walls in the chute make this a rapid that you don’t want to swim. The Rubicon River is the largest tributary watershed, at 315.4 sq mi (817 km 2), which is nearly three times the size of the Middle Fork's own drainage area above their confluence. This is a great spot to watch how the various guides and rafting companies negotiate the portage. There are eight solid Class IV rapids, numerous Class III’s, uncountable Class II’s and the infamous – Tunnel Chute. Some kayakers say that the portage is easier, though exposed, on the left side, but that was before the portage path was built. Trip Photography Package Option – Share your Adventure. Photos are taken at Tunnel Chute Rapid and are available online after your trip. – This is a fun rapid that can cause a few problems if the raft ends up in a bad spot. Shuttle Out: 50 minutes Greenwood to AWE. When other California rafting trips have dried up, the South Fork American River is still providing an exciting and fun time. The Middle Fork American careens through a secluded canyon over numerous Class IV rapids, including infamous Tunnel Chute Rapid. Guests always walk around. A nice set of wide stone steps leads up to a parking lot. Due to Covid-19 protocols all bookings for the 2021 Season need to be made via phone or email with the reservations office. Even on the second days run its like being on a new river. It is a suitable raft trip for the active, fit and adventurous first-timer or a great choice for those seeking a step-up from the more crowded South Fork American River. enters the river here. Go home refreshed, invigorated, smiling and relaxed! It was my first time rive rafting. Using a self-guided watercraft is an option. Inside the unlined coal ash pits, the groundwater saturates the coal ash, then seeps continuously into the Middle Fork. The Middle Fork American River is rated a Class III-IV river and runs through Tahoe National Forest. The river includes some difficult and even dangerous rapids, and the river canyon is remote. Adventurous beginners or experienced rafters love the Middle Fork American river for its combination of serenity and heart-pounding rapids. Ideal for those living off the I-50 Corridor of Sacramento or driving down from South Lake Tahoe. Itinerary: Our Middle Fork American river rafting adventure begins at 7:45 AM at our Auburn, CA meeting area, 10 minutes off I-80, where our guide staff will be there to check you in and answer any questions about the day’s activities. In Foresthill we start the 1800ft. The South Fork of the American is a Class III river. The North Fork American relies on snowmelt for its flows rather than upstream dam releases-consequently, this American River rafting classic only runs in the spring. The rapids on the Middle Fork American are characterized with steep drops and large hydraulics. Old Greenwood Bridge – Greenwood Bridge site, where a useful bridge washed out in the 1964 flood after Hell Hole dam failed. Class I-II. There is a lot of wildlife in the canyon from eagles to river otters and even the occasional bear in the blackberry bushes! The South Fork’s action-packed Class III rapids are rollicking good fun for the entire family. Middle Fork of the American River Much like the "North Fork," there is really only one "Middle Fork" in California, and that is the Middle Fork of the American. For information on rafting the Middle Fork of the American please check out: I guess I will start by talking about the positives of this run. Mile 13.2 This trip meets at 8:15 AM in Auburn. Copyright 2020 American Whitewater Expeditions. The Middle Fork American River is rated a Class III-IV river and runs through Tahoe National Forest. It’s a true wilderness rafting experience, secluded timeless beauty full of human history from the Gold Rush era along with some of the biggest rapids rafted in California. – This rapid used to be un-runnable, but became merely V+ after high water re-arranged big boulders in winter of 1992. There are a few meeting options for the Middle Fork rafting trip. Your camping the night before is free! 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