| California isn't the first place people think of when they | | | | per person. |
| think of river rafting. But the state offers some | | | | The Middle Fork of the American River is challenging |
| excellent river rafting trips. And most of them are a | | | | enough for serious river rats with lots of Class III and IV |
| short drive from San Francisco or Lake Tahoe. So | | | | rapids. But an adventurous first-time can make the trip |
| you can combine your whitewater adventure with a | | | | too. It's usually less crowded that the South Fork. A |
| California vacation. With half-, full-, and two-day trips | | | | highlight of the trip is Tunnel Chute rapid, where you |
| available, there's something for everyone. And they're | | | | travel through a 90-foot tunnel blasted by 19th-century |
| available between April and September, so the season | | | | miners. At Ruck-A-Chucky Falls, you'll plunge 25-feet, |
| here is longer than most. | | | | sandwiched between two towering granite walls. |
| American River rafting trips. | | | | Merced River rafting trips. |
| The American River first made headlines in 1848 when | | | | Flowing through the gorgeous Yosemite Valley, the |
| gold was discovered nearby. Its South Fork offers | | | | Merced River provides rafters with some of the most |
| some of the best whitewater rafting in California with | | | | beautiful scenery anywhere. It's designated a National |
| 50 major rapids in just 21 miles. It's a great trip with | | | | Wild and Scenic River and the huge waves and thrilling |
| beautiful scenery and peaceful stretches, in addition to | | | | rapids will quicken the pulse of both rookies and old |
| all those Class III rapids. | | | | timers. |
| This part of the river runs through varied terrain from | | | | The put-in spot is just 40 minutes from the Yosemite |
| the Chili Bar Reservoir to Folsum Lake, flowing past | | | | park entrance, which is about 3-1/2 hours from the San |
| the rocky gorges and rolling hills of the Sierra Nevadas. | | | | Francisco area. Come for a few days and you can |
| It's beautiful any time of year, with wildflowers in spring | | | | raft the river and explore Yosemite too. Trips only |
| and fall color in autumn. But it's especially fun in April | | | | operate for a short time because the water level is |
| and May when the snowmelt makes the water high. | | | | usually too low for rafting by the middle of July. When |
| Trips leave from a spot that's about an hour from | | | | the snow-melt runoff is at it's peak, the Merced is a |
| Sacramento or four hours from San Francisco. These | | | | Class IV. When it is, you may need to wear a wetsuit. |
| trips are suitable for everyone from experienced | | | | The one-day trips cover a 16-mile stretch of the Upper |
| rafters to beginners, who will earn some bragging | | | | Merced River. These are paddle-raft trips, so |
| rights after navigating the Troublemaker, Satan's | | | | participants are expected to pitch in and row, which |
| Cesspool, and the Meatgrinder. Full-day trips include a | | | | adds to the fun. Next time you're planning a trip to the |
| river-side lunch buffet, and a swim is usually part of the | | | | Bay Area or Northern California, consider adding a |
| program. The price for these programs is around $125 | | | | river rafting adventure to your itinerary. |