Gateway Lake Tahoe:  Plan a day at the beginning or end of your trip to drive the 72-mile loop around the lake and take in the stunning vistas and charming mountain towns along the way. Don’t miss your chance to get out on that crystal clear water. Pull over at one of the many outfitters around the lake and rent a sea kayak or stand up paddleboard for the afternoon.

South Lake Tahoe to Lotus:  From “Big Blue” head west on US-50 through the El Dorado National Forest to CA-49 where you’ll head north for a slight detour to the idyllic rafting community of Lotus. Got some time to spare? Join O.A.R.S. for a one-day whitewater rafting adventure on the Middle or South Fork of the American River.

Lotus to Yosemite National Park:  From Lotus, continue south along CA-49 past iconic gold rush towns like Angels Camp and Sonora. In Sonora, take CA-108W to CA-120E which takes you into the park. Recommended Yosemite hike if you’ve only got one day: Nevada Falls via The Mist Trail. Go early to avoid the crowds. Unsure about going solo? Sign up for a guided hike or overnight trip with Yexplore (yexplore.com).

 Yosemite to Tahoe: Exit the park via Tioga Road/CA-120E. Find your way onto CA-395N, a stretch of road known for its sweeping mountain views and hidden hot springs. Travertine Hot Springs near Bridgeport is worth the stop as you make your way back to Tahoe.

The post Scenic California by Car: The Tahoe – Yosemite Loop appeared first on River Currents.

My mother is not at all what you’d call the “outdoorsy type.” Yet, at 65 years old, she spent 8 days rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

Yes, she even did the icky-dirty “C” word.

(That’s “camping.”)

The secret is — and don’t go shouting this to the true outdoorsy types, lest they get their camo pants all in a bunch — there are plenty of ways to make “roughing it” not so rough at all.

In fact, you’ll find true pros in the adventure travel business distinguish themselves through their innovative ways to bring luxury with you into the wilderness.

Sleeping

“Sleeping is usually the biggest issue for most people,” says James Rodger, California regional manager for O.A.R.S. “People hear they’ll be sleeping on the river, and they immediately think ‘dirty old sleeping bag.’”

James is happy to disappoint those folks with freshly laundered sleeping bags, cozy zip-in liners, pillows with fresh, crisp pillow cases and, the icing on the bedtime cake, a 3-inch foam-and-air-filled sleeping pad.

What’s more, James says, you’d be surprised at the psychological difference it makes putting only 2 people in a 3- or 4-person tent.

Staying Clean

Kate Wollney is trying to convince her sister-in-law to join her on a river trip. Kate is O.A.R.S.’s Rogue River manager, leading adventures in Oregon. She’s explaining the biggest misconception she finds: You’re going to get dirty, and won’t be able to get clean.

Even though the nightly riverside camps are on sand, or pea gravel, or bedrock, the sites are regularly scoured clean by the river’s rising and falling waters, she says.

“So even though we’re ‘on the ground,’ it’s not really dirty at all,” Kate says. “On the Rogue, there are even spots where the ground is covered in mint, and when you walk you crush it, and it smells unbelievable.”

The guides also make sure there’s ample opportunity to clean up. They set up portable kitchen and bath sinks at every stop, and handwashing stations are never far away. Kate added there’s even opportunity on many trips for bathing.

“On some of our trips, but not all, you can bathe right in the river,” she says. “And several of the rivers have hot springs, which is a great way to stay refreshed.”

Way Better Than Beans & Weenies

“I’ve got wild salmon, organic chicken, organic chicken maple breakfast sausage, applewood bacon, artichokes,” James lists off. He’s shopping for a Tuolumne trip while talking to me on the phone.

James explains that if people expect dehydrated food or cans of pork and beans, they’re blown away by the quality meals they’re served. James explains they procure as much of the victuals as they can from local sources, and they try to shop organic as a rule. They have partnerships with local wineries and craft breweries, so even the adult beverages are local to the area.

Hot breakfast every day, an energy-filled lunch, dinner with appetizers, drinks and dessert each night — it’s better than some folks eat at home.

“It’s river-gourmet,” James says.

The Unmentionables

So, OK, for some people, there’s no talking about going to the bathroom in the woods that makes it sound any more comfortable. But, hopefully, you can appreciate the lengths the guides go to in addressing this.

Yes, the bathroom comes along from campsite to campsite. It’s set up in a private location a discrete distance from camp, and a handwashing station is always right next to it.

“And it always has an incredible view,” James adds.

Kate explains that the bathroom solutions aren’t just one-size-fits-all, either, and that women’s needs are anticipated and accommodated.

Outdoor Evangelists

For these professional guides, guests’ comfort becomes a matter of pride. Those who think they relish in their own discomfort and or wish it on guests have it all wrong. (Bear Grylls is not a river guide.)

James explains that what they all want are guests who come back again, hopefully with more friends.

“Guides are really passionate about what they do, and they want people to come out with a really positive attitude about their trip,” he says. “So they’re going to go the extra mile to make sure everyone has a positive experience.”

Even my 65-year-old mum.

Got a question on comfort for the O.A.R.S. guides? Hit them up in the comments below.

The post Going Outside Your Comfort Zone Has Never Been So Comfortable appeared first on River Currents.

And it’s only February.

I blame it on a recent hike at Hetch Hetchy (pictured above), where the gorgeous Tuolumne River rolls out of Yosemite National Park through a spectacular granite canyon and then flows down to create the most wild and exhilarating rafting in the U.S.

The weather was gorgeous for being the middle of “winter” and I found myself basking in the summer temps, day dreaming about a 3-day Wine on the River trip I took down the Tuolumne with O.A.R.S. several years ago. It was epic. You know, the kind of trip that you’re always comparing to other trips because it was that good.

The Tuolumne is exciting. It’s the kind of river trip that challenges you with its Class IV-V rapids, but then rewards you for your efforts.

The reward? Sandy beaches perfect for sleeping under the stars (highly recommended), calm stretches for swimming (some of the clearest water you’ll ever see), the feeling of being a million miles from everything (unplugged bliss), and if you happen to be going on a Wine on the River trip, gourmet food and good wine too.

But, those are just a few reasons the Tuolumne makes it on my top five best trips ever list.

For me, the Tuolumne was adventurous and liberating. It was my first whitewater rafting trip, and I had plenty of worst case scenarios running through my head for weeks before I went. After the first day on the river though, I got over that fear, and fell in love with the adrenaline rush and exploring the backcountry in a whole new way. I knew the Tuolumne wouldn’t be my last trip. I was hooked.

Now, my ole’ bucket list has largely been taken over by the names of all the rivers in the West — the Rogue, American, Colorado, Snake. I want to raft them all, not to mention several rivers in other countries. But even after I’ve scratched a few rivers off my list, there’s still something about the Tuolumne deep down that gives me that fever — the eagerness to hop on a raft and disappear into a river canyon for a few days.

It’s special. It’s full of first adventures, lots of laughs, great camping, even better food and the start of what I’m sure will be some life-long friendships.

I’m not sure I’ll make it back to the Tuolumne this year. I might catch the Rogue instead. I’ve got that “list” after all. But I’ll be back on the Tuolumne some day, that’s for sure.

Have you rafted the Tuolumne? Tell me about your trip in the comments below!

The post Tuolumne River Rafting Dreamin’ appeared first on River Currents.