O.A.R.S. was the first whitewater rafting company in the U.S. to offset all of its carbon emissions, working with NativeEnergy. The Angels Camp, California, as well as the Flagstaff, Arizona, (Colorado River operations) warehouses and office operations run entirely from solar power.
North Fork of the Stanislaus River, near Calaveras Big Trees State Park
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Some folks in the office are sneaking off for a quick 1-day rafting trip on the North Fork of the Stanislaus – just up the road from the O.A.R.S. HQ here in Angels Camp. The Stan offers some of the most technical Class IV whitewater rafting in California. Think tight technical boulder-strewn rapids and steep granite-filled and lush green canyon walls. The day ends amongst giant Sequoia trees in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
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Earn money this summer while California whitewater rafting with O.A.R.S.
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I’ve been reminded again that O.A.R.S. offers more trips than just whitewater rafting trips on 9 California rivers. Carrie Aronson, our Idaho Adventure Consultant and Private and Charter Trips Manager, just mentioned that there is still space available on our Idaho – Hells Canyon of the Snake River rafting trip on May 25th. She said guests should expect an incredible display of wildflowers, warm water and warm weather and plenty of fishing opportunities. Since a picture is worth a thousand words… here are some images from photographer David Hessell…
Comfy, catered camping…
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Curt Chang, O.A.R.S. Idaho Regional Manager and original Grand Canyon Dories guide, gave us this recent report about current state of Idaho whitewater rafting …
Beautiful days with warm temperatures have got us all smiling here. Fortunately, there hasn’t been much heat so the rivers are showing a gradual rise, which means an extended spring season – a good thing. The snow pack is holding up well and the surrounding hills are full-swing green.
He also sent us photos of three of his crew, stating, Here are three Idaho guides O.A.R.S. guests would be fortunate to share a trip with: Kaisha Schmelzle, Zak Sears and Barry Dow.
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With spring California whitewater rafting in full swing (green hillsides, wildflowers, fun flows), it’s sometimes easy to forget about our other rafting trips.
According to our Idaho folks, the wildflowers are going crazy on the Snake River through Hells Canyon. The water is warming up and apparently the fishing is good right now too. The Snake River through Hells Canyon passes through the deepest gorge in North America. The trip offers ‘exuberant’ whitewater, easy side hikes, visits to Native American sites and gourmet camping. You can choose either a 3-day or a 5-day trip and you can experience the river in a raft, dory or inflatable kayak.
Take a look…
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I hadn’t been whitewater rafting on the North Fork American River in probably a decade, and now I’m wondering why it took me so long to get back. The North Fork offers translucent emerald green water… tight, technical, boulder-strewn rapids… steep forested canyon walls… lots and lots of waterfowl… numerous waterfalls flowing from canyon walls… wildflowers! wildflowers! wildflowers!
Many of the California/Oregon raft guides have made their way back from their winter vacations and are participating in two weeks of guide training. For new O.A.R.S. hires, it’s a chance to practice guiding through new rapids and experience new rivers… for the returning guides it’s a chance to work out the winter kinks. James Rodger, O.A.R.S. California/Oregon Regional Manager, invited me to join his crew of 14 yesterday.
The North Fork American is a spring run – the flow depends on snowmelt and rain… no dam-released flows here. The weather may not always be ideal this time of year. Most days are sunny and in the 60s and 70s, however, sometimes we get late spring rains. With proper clothing and gear (I highly recommend a dry suit), a little rain or chilly weather just doesn’t matter. Hey – we’re going to get wet anyway. Mother nature gave us a little of everything yesterday… gray skies, downpours, sun, drizzle, sun. The weather didn’t dampen our spirits though. We were too busy paddling hard through Slaughter’s Sluice, Chamberlain’s Falls, ZigZag, Achilles’ Heel, Bogus Thunder, Grand Slalom, and Staircase.
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From outdated flood control schemes to harmful dams and mining projects, our nation’s rivers and clean water are at risk. American Rivers, the nation’s leading river conservation organization, today released America’s Most Endangered Rivers: 2009 edition spotlighting ten rivers in need of urgent action.
“Our nation is at a transformational moment when it comes to rivers and clean water,” said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. “Water is life, yet our nation’s water infrastructure is so outdated that our clean drinking water, flood protection and river health face unprecedented threats. Our country needs the smart, cost-effective solutions for clean drinking water, flood protection and river health outlined in America’s Most Endangered Rivers that will bring us into the 21st century.”
This year’s report highlights the sorry state of the nation’s water infrastructure — our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems, and our dams and levees – and the need for green, 21st century investments to protect clean water, public health and safety, and the fish and wildlife that depend on healthy rivers.
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Some say Tuolumne River rafting trips feature the best California whitewater! O.A.R.S. offers whitewater rafting trips on the Tuolumne River near Yosemite National Park, including 1-, 2- or 3-day trips from big water in the spring to award-winning “Wine on the River” trips throughout the seven-month season. The Tuolumne (or "T") is located between the charming foothill community of Groveland and Yosemite’s northern Big Oak Flat entrance. The meeting place is often La Casa Loma store, at the intersection of Highway 120 and Ferretti Road approximately 7 miles from Groveland. Once you are deep in the Wild and Scenic river canyon, it is hard to believe you are just a 3-hour drive from San Francisco.
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California whitewater rafting on the American River-South Fork, near Sacramento, is the ideal rafting trip for beginners, families and anyone looking for an easy rafting getaway in California. This river, located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, is approximately a one-hour drive from Sacramento and three hours from San Francisco. We refer to it as "everyone’s favorite river" because it’s a great place to learn to raft and a place to return to time again, no matter your whitewater rafting experience.
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