I spotted 11 fire engines and two O.A.R.S. vehicles heading toward Groveland this morning on my way into work.  The O.A.R.S. vehicles were shuttling gear for today’s scheduled Tuolumne River whitewater rafting trip .  I assume the fire engines were heading to Kassebaum Meadow, which is located between Groveland and Casa Loma (the meeting point for Tuolumne River rafters) to their new temporary camp.  (I find it incredibly comforting to have an entire camp of firefighters within a few miles of my home!)

The Telegraph fire is not affecting ‘T’ trips (nor any other regularly scheduled California rafting trips).  If you are interested in following news about the Telegraph Fire, there is a great blog located here. 

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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The Telegraph Fire, which began Friday near the Merced River, has burned close to 30,000 acres and is still approximately 10% contained.  A CAL FIRE Incident Report states that as of 11:30 pm Monday, 25 residences and 27 outbuildings have been destroyed.  The fire is burning in the Merced River Drainage, on both sides of the river.  The fire is burning with a rapid rate of spread in multiple directions.  It is causing partial and complete closures of Hwy 140 leading to the El Portal/Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite National Park.  For the latest highway conditions visit Caltrans. 

Yosemite National Park is still open.  If you are planning a visit to the park from the West, you can still access the park via the northern entrance, Highway 120, or via the southern route, Highway 41 from Fresno.  Power is still out in most parts of Yosemite Valley, though many places of business are still open.

All O.A.R.S. California whitewater rafting trips are running as scheduled.  Smoke from the fire appears to be staying in Tuolumne and Mariposa counties.  There may be some haze in the Tuolumne River canyon, though not enough to affect your trip.  South Fork of the American River and Middle Fork of the American River rafting trips should not be affected at all by smoke – the fire is not located near these rivers.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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A fire started burning in a steep, rocky stretch of the Merced River canyon on Friday afternoon.  (The O.A.R.S. Merced River whitewater rafting season wrapped up about a month ago – the Merced River water flow is dependent on Sierra snow melt – so no O.A.R.S. trips are affected.)  Roads into Yosemite remain open at this time. 

Residents of Midpines, a community located about 12 miles from Yosemite National Park, have been evacuated.  Evacuation warnings are in place for residences in the immediate area of the fire – Mariposa, Coulterville and Greeley Hill.   Approximately 26,000 acres have burned as of Monday morning, and the fire may only be 10% contained

Here are some links to get the most current information about the “Telegraph Fire:

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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WOW – check out these airfares!  Horizon Air began nonstop service to Flagstaff/Grand Canyon on June 23 and will be adding additional Northern Arizona service on September 8, 2008, to Prescott (a short drive to the Grand Canyon – however, Prescott is not the meeting place for O.A.R.S. Grand Canyon raft or dory trips) .

Los Angeles – Flagstaff/Grand Canyon = $89
Flagstaff/Grand Canyon  – San Francisco = $123

For a limited time you can earn double miles when flying between Los Angeles and Flagstaff or Prescott, Arizona.  Flagstaff double miles ends on August 31, 2008, and Prescott on November 23, 2008.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Hey all you adventure travelers out there…  there’s an interesting article in today’s San Francisco Chronicle about packing light.  Now, these tips do not necessarily apply to O.A.R.S. whitewater rafting vacations, however, the author offers great general ideas.

I particularly like her suggestion that “a sarong is the traveling girl’s Swiss Army knife.”  I agree – I never take a trip without one.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Lonesome George, the Galapagos Island’s aging Pinta island tortoise, isn’t as lonesome as we think. 

George has been considered by many as the world’s rarest creature and a conservation icon.  He was thought to be the last of his kind after fishermen and pirates slaughtered his species for food.

Until recently, this famous island bachelor (suspected to be between 60-90 years old) had shown very little interest in reproducing.  However, after 36 years in captivity, he recently mated with one of his two female companions of a similar species of Galapagos tortoise.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Listen, I’m no spring chicken and about the furthest thing from hip or cool (and I’m about the last person I figured would sign up ) but, I have to admit I love facebook.  Friends have been inviting me for years to join and I seriously fought it (you know, privacy issues and all).  Since joining, however, I’ve met the coolest people!  I’m now friends with notable writers, editors, photographers, Sunday Night Football announcers, and I keep in touch with folks in various parts of the world.

You can find the O.A.R.S. – Whitewater Rafting page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angels-Camp-CA/OARS-Whitewater-Rafting/10511211746?ref=ts 

I just uploaded some of Justin Bailie’s images from his June 15 Middle Fork of the Salmon River trip.  Also on the page are images and video from a June 29 Rogue River trip as well as some spring shots from Merced River and Tuolumne River Whitewater Boot Camp trips.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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This is for us working stiffs…

O.A.R.S. has added another trip to their already extensive collection of California whitewater rafting adventures… a South Fork of the American River Raft and Wine trip on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week throughout the summer months.  Surely you have a few vacation (or sick) days owed to you, right?  Heck, invite the boss – just get out and enjoy a raft trip this summer!

Day One involves being chauffeured to various wineries throughout El Dorado wine country including Venezio Vineyards, Auriga Wine Cellars, Lava Cap, Boeger, Sierra Vista and Holly’s Hill Vineyards.  The group decides.  There are more than 100 wineries in the Sierra Foothills, with at least 50 of those located in El Dorado County.  You’ll spend a comfortable evening at the historic American River Inn in scenic Georgetown. 

Day Two involves spending a full day rafting on the Class III South Fork of the American River, a delicious gourmet lunch is provided along the way.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Tom Stienstra’s column in today’s San Francisco Chronicle (“FINDING RELIEF:  Fires, gas prices limit destinations for outdoors trips”) rates favorite destination spots throughout California.  (Hey, we all have our opinions.)  According to Stienstra, Big Sur, the Trinity Alps, the Lassen Volcanic area and Sequoia-Kings Canyon are all areas to avoid due to being “devastated by low lake levels, heavy smoke from fires and high temperatures.” (have-nots)

He got it right when giving Yosemite National Park an approval rating.  I encourage anyone joining a Northern California whitewater rafting trip to visit Yosemite.  Additionally, I would encourage anyone visiting Yosemite to consider adding a trip on the Merced River or the Tuolumne River.  (The Tuolumne River water flow is controlled by up river dams, and is runnable March through September.  Merced River flows are dependent on snow melt from the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  Commercial trips usually run April through June.)

Here’s what Stienstra had to say about Yosemite:

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Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Tourism officials in Idaho admit they were nervous the economy would have a negative effect this year, but a new tourism report shows numbers are up seven percent.  According to Idaho Tourism Administrator, Karen Ballard, more people are vacationing close to home.  She also said Mother Nature has helped Idaho, especially with a huge attraction in the summer — rafting on Idaho’s rivers.  Said Ballard, “We knew we were going to have an epic year of whitewater rafting after an epic year of skiing, so we are really excited that people have figured that out.”

O.A.R.S. offers trips on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River, the Main Salmon River, the Gorges of the Lower Salmon River and Hells Canyon of the Snake River.

Justin Bailie image.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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