1-800-346-6277Cal Salmon River Rafting
Jun 5, 7, 10, 12
$487
Deposit: $125
Additional Costs: $8 per person per day federal, state and local access fees
Sleep Kit/Tent $25/$30
River Rating  | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| V | 16 Yrs (17 during high water) |
- Legend
- Directions
Enter your starting city
| Destination River | Meeting Parking | Rapid | Point of Interest | Camp | Put-in | Take-out | |
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California Salmon (Cal Salmon) River Rafting: Overview
The California Salmon River (also known as the Cal Salmon) is an adrenaline-infused rafting adventure for Class IV-V experts only! Rip-roaring rapids, jet-speed currents and tightly-spaced obstacles require technical, experienced and aggressive paddling. You must pass a physical fitness and Class V swim test before challenging the flows of the California Salmon River and in the early season, wetsuits are mandatory. If you’re an avid rafter who feeds on white knuckle challenges, the Class V Cal Salmon whitewater rafting trip is perfect for you. A major tributary of the Klamath River in northwest California (west of Redding, CA), this river crashes out of the Salmon-Trinity Wilderness Area and rips through a tight gorge of marble and granite. Learn to raft backwards through Freight Train and count on huge holes, waterfalls and very technical, boulder-strewn rapids on this rollicking ride through bald eagle paradise.
California Salmon (Cal Salmon) River Rafting: Itinerary at a Glance
- Meet at Somes Bar store and caravan to our base camp location before a shuttle ride to the put-in for our Cal Salmon River Rafting trip
- Boaters will discover an intimate, steep-walled canyon where sparkling green waters surge through a series of rapids separated by deep quiet pools
- Class IV and V rapids such as Nordheimer, Bloomer Falls, Airplane Turn, Cascade Falls, Achilles Heel, Whirling Dervish, Last Chance and Freight Train will challenge resolve as well as river skills
- Camp in a wonderfully secluded spot situated among the pine forests of the Marble Mountains
- After a hearty breakfast, day two brings more rafting thrills on class IV and V rapids such as Double Hole and The Fin before we conclude our epic Cal Salmon River Rafting trip
- Weather
- Packing List
- Trip Planner
- Recommended Reads
| Average Temperatures | ||
| Month | High | Lows |
| May | 75° | 40° |
| Water Temperatures | ||
| Seasonal Average: 50° F | ||
Current Conditions
What to bring on the Cal Salmon River Rafting trip
This is a sample list. Please refer to your trip planner for a detailed list for your particular trip. If you do not already own any of the items on the suggested packing list feel free to call our office for suggestions. However, many of the items listed are available for purchase online in the OARStore. Please be mindful of the natural environment when purchasing items for your trip. Whenever possible, consider recyclable containers, rechargeable batteries, natural (non-toxic) sunscreens, lotions, biodegradable soaps, and so on.
Equipment:
- Duffel bag
- Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, ground cloth, sheet and small pillow – (early and late season trips require a synthetic-fill bag rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Backpack/Daypack for day hikes. It should be large enough to carry water, lunch and camera, as well as a warm layer of clothing for spring & fall trips (750 – 2000 cu. in)
- Water bottles: 2 heavy-duty and minimum 1-liter capacity each with a carabiner to attach it to the boat. For day hikes, hydration systems like a CamelBak® are great, but you will still want 1 water bottle while in the boat
- Headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries and bulb
- Plastic bags: large trash bags and zip-loc bags to separate clean and dry clothes from wet and dirty
- Camera w/extra media cards and batteries
Personal Items:
- Sunglasses (preferably polarized) with securing strap and a spare
- Towel: small, quick-drying and washcloth
- Toiletries including biodegradable soap and shampoo with moisturizer (Nature's Gate is recommended by our guides)
- Sunscreen: waterproof & SPF 30 or higher
- Lip protection: SPF 30 or higher
- Moisturizing lotion or cream: 1 bottle (Skin tends to get REALLY DRY – this is a VERY important item!)
- Insect repellent (with deet)*
- Personal first aid kit (Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, moleskin, eye drops, etc.)
- Spare pair of glasses and/or contacts (Blowing sand can cause problems for contact wearers)
- Cash for gratuities and goodies
*During certain months, mosquitoes can be a bothersome problem. Please make sure you bring an adequate supply of insect repellent.
Clothing:
- Long-sleeved shirt: 1-2 lightweight and light color for sun protection (UPF rated shirts are great)
- Long pants: lightweight and light color for sun protection (No jeans while on the river)
- Shade hat or visor with securing strap and a spare
- Bandana
- Rain jacket & pants: waterproof (not water resistant) to protect you from the wind and splash from rapids, as well as rain. A hooded jacket is recommended as well as good secure closures around your head, neck, wrists and ankles to prevent water from seeping in
- Swimsuits: 1 (two piece suits recommended for women). Tankinis are a great option
- Underwear: quick-drying
- Shorts: 1 pair lightweight, and quick-drying
- Hiking shorts: 1 pair (some people prefer different shorts for the river and hiking)
- T-shirts or lightweight quick-drying tops: 2-3
- River sandals: 1 pair to wear in the boat and for short wet hikes (such as Teva)
- Athletic shoes or lightweight hiking boots: 1 pair, comfortable and with good tread
- Hiking socks: 1-2 pair mid-weight
- Synthetic long underwear top & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
- Fleece top & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
Additional Essentials for spring:
- Extra pair of dry shoes for camp
- Wetsuit booties and/or neoprene socks
- Additional fleece top & bottom
- Warm hat and gloves: synthetic or wool
- Fleece vest
Optional Items:
- Solar shower: small “solo” showers heat up faster and are easier to use
- Bathing towels/wipes: pre-moistened disposable wipes such as Coleman Swash Cloths
- Binoculars: small
- Whisk broom: small (no long handle). To sweep wet sand off of tent and ground cloth
- Paddling gloves
- Splash jacket and pants
- Lightweight cord and clothespins for drying clothes in camp
- Notebook and pen
- Sketchbook, paperback book
- Small daypack or fanny pack for hikes
- Fishing equipment (collapsible rod & carrying case)
Download our travel planner here:
Cal_Salmon_River.pdf
Trip planner is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.
