News, photos and information about rafting the North Fork of the American River, located between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. The North Fork American River is a spring whitewater rafting classic run, with emerald green water and steep boulder-strewn rapids.
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).
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).
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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.
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.
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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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