The Middle Fork of the Feather River, located near Quincy in Northern California, is considered one of California’s ultimate Class V whitewater rafting destinations. There are more than 30 miles of Class V rapids through a deep, mostly inaccessible Middle Fork Feather canyon, providing some crazy adventure for serious adrenaline junkies. As of today, no commercial rafting companies are permitted to run this stellar stretch of river. The Forest Service must first conduct studies to determine what use the Middle Fork can support, and then implement a river plan that outlines management, permits, monitoring, etc.

According to a July 2, 2009, article in the Plumas County News, the Middle Fork Feather run could only be navigated by expert kayakers. Rafts trips were attempted on a few occasions, but were mostly unsuccessful, until recent years.  (Ahem – I was on a “successful” raft trip on the Middle Fork of the Feather River in 1996.)

In 2008, the Feather River Ranger District granted a temporary use permit on the Middle Fork Feather to Sierra Mac River Rafting Trips, based out of Groveland, CA, (near the Tuolumne River and Yosemite National Park).

Sierra Mac was denied a permit for 2009, however, the company has the impression that the Forest Service does want to issue a permit, but they want it done right.
 
You can read the full article here.

Posted in: California Currents | Post a Comment

Recent "splash news" from O.A.R.S. Idaho whitewater rafting operations based in Lewiston, Idaho:

According to the O.A.R.S. Idaho Regional Manager, Curt Chang (Curt was an original Grand Canyon Dories guide) - High water is fading and the river temperatures are rising. The Idaho crew is looking forward to perfect summer weather. The weather has been nice, a bit cooler than normal with highs in the 80º’s to 90º. A June 6th Middle Fork of the Salmon River trip was a little cool, which was ideal for hiking. There had been rain showers on and off the past two week on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and the Main Salmon River, but that is giving way to fair and warmer temps now.  Fishing success is starting to pick up now as well. The Middle Fork, Main Salmon and Hells Canyon on the Snake River trips have been very successful with lots of happy faces from passengers and guides.

Curt sent these images from the June 6th Middle Fork of the Salmon River trip. 

 Indian Creek area on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

 Above Little Pine Camp. This beautiful, 30- to 40-minute hike offers stellar views of the Middle Fork Salmon River canyon.

This is a beautiful, 30- to 40-minute hike above Little Pine Camp on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

 Scout camp at Sheep Eater Hot Springs.

Posted in: Idaho Middle Fork Salmon Photo & Video Collection | 2 Comments

We are not quite half way through summer, and according to a recent article in the NY Times, bookings in our national parks are up — in some cases by as much as 30 percent. Some campgrounds were filled on weekends even before Memorial Day weekend, the traditional kickoff of the camping season.

Is the bad economy is causing an interest in the great outdoors? Whatever the reasons, it is exciting to see so many people experiencing a night under the stars. This does mean, however, that you might need to work a little harder to secure your ideal campsite.

Rest assured, you won’t be bothered by the sound of generators here.

The U.S. has 58 national parks, containing 861 campgrounds ranging from primitive (pit toilets) to modern (hot showers). Bookings at the 141 national park campgrounds in the National Recreation Reservation Service were up 9 percent from January through March 26 over the same period last year.

Many experienced campers booked five and six months ago, when many national park campsites went on sale. Cancellations do occur, and first-come-first-served campgrounds abound. (Be sure to arrive in the morning, when the previous night’s campers are checking out.) In addition to Park Service properties, there are 5,800 campgrounds in national forests, as well as state parks.

You have many options to ensure a spot at an outstanding campground this summer, including booking a trip with a reputable adventure travel company, such as O.A.R.S.  O.A.R.S. offers U.S. national park vacations, including whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, hiking and multi-sport activities in 12 different parks in the western U.S. Many options include unique permits, allowing you to experience a national park well off the beaten path in addition to secluded campsites. You may also try your own luck through any number of websites, such as those listed below.

U.S. National Park Service
http://www.nps.gov/findapark

U.S. National Forest Campground Guide
http://forestcamping.com/

Federal Recreation, Camping, and Tour Reservations
http://www.recreation.gov/

Remember, there are two more fee-free weekends this summer (July 18-19 and August 15-16) at many of your favorite western U.S. parks including, but not limited to:
Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Dinosaur National Monument
Mesa Verde National Park
Yellowstone National park
Yosemite National Park

For a complete list of fee-free parks, go to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm

Take advantage of your national parks!  See you out there…

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Are you looking for a hassle-free national park vacation?  Would you like to combine whitewater rafting and hiking with nights spent under an uninhibited night sky with your family and friends for an unforgettable summer vacation?

Listed here are 5 all-inclusive national park vacation ideas:

Whitewater Rafting Through Dinosaur National Park
Dinosaur National Monument offers everything you could want in an ideal, fun-filled vacation.  Hike, raft and explore where dinosaurs once roamed.  Submerge yourself in a canyon surrounded by red rock cliffs.  Explore side canyons and oases in a mini-Grand Canyon like setting.  Explore ancient Indian rock art including petroglyphs and pictographs.  And learn about the canyon’s geologic history as you delve deeper into the canyon along the Green River.  This 4-day adventure is appropriate for children 7 and older.

Sea Kayaking on Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park
Step off the boardwalks and into a unique wilderness experience.  Spend a half-day kayaking on Yellowstone Lake and beyond the bow of your kayak you see gushing geysers, bubbling mud pots and the rising steam of geothermal hot springs.  O.A.R.S. provides everything needed to sea kayak, hike and sightsee your way to some of the most extraordinary sites in this national park.  O.A.R.S.’ special permits allow adventurers to see breathtaking landscapes from unique perspectives.  This ½-day adventure is appropriate for children 7 and older.

Hiking and Whitewater Rafting in Yosemite National Park
Spend two days rafting on California’s crown jewel of whitewater, the Wild and Scenic Tuolumne River, and three days exploring Yosemite National Park on foot.  This five-day adventure is a mere three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe.  O.A.R.S. partners with Yexplore for guided interpretive hikes in Yosemite National Park, culminating with a climactic 17-mile hike up Yosemite’s most iconic piece of rock - Half Dome.  This adventure is appropriate for children age 12 and older.

Kayaking on Jackson Lake and Snake River Rafting in Grand Teton National Park
This unique O.A.R.S. national park itinerary is ideal for first-time kayakers and families.  Spend one or two days on Jackson Lake, the shimmering soul of the Grand Teton National Park.  Both the one-day and two-day trips are appropriate for adventures 4 years and older.

Hiking in Arches National Park
Spend the first part of your vacation rafting on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon and then kick back on the banks of the Colorado in the comfort of Red Cliffs Lodge.  From this luxurious guest ranch, adventurers may hike, go horseback riding, play horseshoes and bocce ball or simply read a good book.  Red Cliffs features Utah’s oldest winery, a state-of the-art pool and exercise facilities as well as easy access to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

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We always love to see your photos from an O.A.R.S. whitewater rafting trip! Many thanks to Barry Levy for sending a link to his photos from his May trip in the Grand Canyon.  (Barry and his wife were on the river from May 3 – 14, 2009.)

You can view Part I of his personal Kodak Gallery, taken from Lee’s Ferry to Phantom Ranch, May 3-7, 2009, here:  http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=ahgjfds.34icyn04&x=0&y=9ir4nq&localeid=en_US

Part II of his trip, from Phantom Ranch to Whitmore Wash, can be found here:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=ahgjfds.9loqi118&x=0&y=jewdr1&localeid=en_US

There are many postcard worthy images in here, don’t you agree? Feel free to send us yours!
 

Posted in: Grand Canyon Grand Canyon Rafting Photo & Video Collection | Post a Comment