THE MIDDLE FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER –

California whitewater rafting is getting wilder and even more beautiful here. Rugged 2000 feet deep canyon hides secret and tranquil historic sites back from the Gold Rush era, then hits you with Class 03-04 rapids, then instills calm again, unveils rich wildlife, and throws you back into action once again. If you are looking for plenty of real eye pleasing wilderness sights, choose the Middle Fork for your California whitewater rafting experience. Everything is all-season, 17 miles in total. One, two and 3-day California whitewater rafting trips available.

The fun begins from the very start, just 30 yards downstream from the insertion point (or put-in). Panic Alley (Class 03) rapid will be your initiation to the California whitewater rafting world, though it will end shortly, and a small measure of peace will follow for the next 2 miles. That is more of a warm up, actually, because you will quickly have to brace yourselves at the Last Chance and Tunnel Chute, considerable challenges of Class 04 rapids.

Class 04 – that is exactly what awaits California whitewater rafting teams further downstream, Lettuce Hole and Kanaka Falls being the more notable spots. If you come across any tranquil areas, be sure that is only peace before the storm, because you will soon be fighting more and more Class 04 rapids, which get more intense with every yard, because the elevation of the river starts to steepen, hitting you with an eight foot waterfall, called Chunder, along the way.

You will also run into some impassable areas of Class 06, like the Ruck-A-Chucky Falls. You will unquestionable have to stop and go around places like this, though the action does not stop there, of course. Up until the very end, you will be busy struggling with The Cleavage, The Catapult, Parallel Parking, and so on, pure Class 04 adventures.