What would Luke Skywalker do?  Get out on a river and celebrate, of course!  (I’m stuck behind the computer all day-fortunately I’ve got my lightsaber app for my iPhone.)  Recent heavy rains throughout the state have -thankfully- added to our reservoirs and pumped up the volume in nearby rivers.  Big flows in Northern California = big fun for California whitewater rafting:

These flows were taken from Dream Flows website at 7:00 AM:

South Fork American River – 4048 cfs
Usual summer flows are typically less than 2000 cfs – so it’s a great time to experience the South Fork at super fun, big flows.

North Fork American River – 5030 cfs

North Fork Stanislaus River – 2263 cfs (HUGE!)

Tuolumne River near Yosemite National Park – 4525 cfs

Merced River – 3280 cfs
 

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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.

I can honestly say the crew looks great, and these guides are ready to roll!

A special THANK YOU to Bobbi Heizelman, the O.A.R.S. California American Rivers chef / food-packer / mother hen (in the nicest sense of the word).  Bobbi created a wonderful lunch spread, including a surprise birthday brownie cake for one of the crew.  We love you Bobbi!

Who’s the man?  Steve Hereema – O.A.R.S. guide for 8 years.

O.A.R.S. guide (and cutie patootie) Roberto Carrera

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As of a March 7th report from the American River website, the snow pack that feeds the American River is at 101% of normal.  All three Forks of the American River (South Fork, Middle Fork, North Fork) are swollen with runoff. The North Fork of the American River briefly peaked at 11,000cfs (3 x safe boating flows).

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If you are considering a California whitewater rafting trip and/or a Yosemite National Park vacation, you may want to consider booking your flights now.  Airfares to San Francisco (SFO) from the East Coast are really, really cheap right now.

I subscribe to airfarewatchdog.com – and discovered r/t airfares for less than $300 – even during the peak summer season!

Watch for lower airfares to Oakland (OAK), San Jose (SJC) and Sacramento (SMF).  Sacramento is the closest airport to the South Fork American River, as well as the Middle Fork and North Fork of the American rivers.  It shouldn’t take more than 1½ hours to get from the Sacramento airport to the South Fork American put-in.  It will take approximately 3-4* hours to drive from the San Francisco, Oakland or San Jose airports to the South Fork American/Middle Fork American/North Fork American rivers (or the Tuolumne and Merced rivers).  (*depending on traffic – I would encourage you not to schedule an arrival or departure during rush hour traffic.) All airports are relatively equidistant to the rivers).

If you happen to be flying from Las Vegas to Northern California, consider flying into the Stockton airport (SCK).  Roundtrip airfares are currently $116.  Stockton is by far the closest airport to the North Fork of the Stanislaus River.

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Emerald water, granite shores, lush green canyon ablaze with orange California poppies and technical, boulder-strewn rapids = North Fork of the American River.

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Thanks to James Rodger, O.A.R.S. CA/OR Regional Manager, for taking these video clips at Bogus Thunder Rapid on the North Fork American at the April 5 race.

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Video of the North Fork American Race this past weekend taken by James Rodger, O.A.R.S. California/Oregon Regional Manager.

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It was an awesome weekend at the North Fork American race. Sunny skies, mild temps, lots of boaters and interesting people, outstanding scenery…

Representing O.A.R.S. were guides Roberto Carrero and Danny Amos, as well as friends-of-O.A.R.S. Danny and Ashley.

Still waiting for results (http://www.nfarace08.blogspot.com/), but, hey, it was really about being on the river and hanging with good folks.

Many thanks to James Rodger for outstanding images!

The O.A.R.S. safety crew taking a great line heading into Bogus Thunder.

Not an O.A.R.S. boat taking a more interesting route through Bogus.

The result of that line.

Just a great image of the beautiful emerald waters and granite shores of the North Fork American River!

Team O.A.R.S. in Bogus Thunder.

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The California women’s raft team is hosting a downriver race on the Chamberlain section of the North Fork American River – bridge to bridge – on Saturday April 5th, 2008. All types of watercraft are welcome. Meet at the Sierra Market in Colfax for registration from 8:30- 9:30 AM. Whether you are participating in the event or not, don’t forget that parking at Mineral Bar requires a $5 day use fee. Shuttles will be provided. There will be a party after the race – the location is yet to be announced. For more information and updates, go to www.nfarace08.blogspot.com.

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