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Mile 0
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Put-in (start) for O.A.R.S. Upper South Fork American River Chili Bar rafting trips.
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Mile 0.3
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CHILI BAR HOLE (II). For many years Chili Bar Hole was the site of the Chili Bar Rodeo. On low-water years, the competition moved downstream to First Threat Rapid. Chili Bar was named after the Chilean road builders during the early Gold Rush days. A 'hole' is created when the river current drops over a rock or ledge and circulates instead of continuing its downstream flow.
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Mile 0.6
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MEATGRINDER (III). A long rock garden with big waves and a hidden boulder at the bottom. Meatgrinder is also known as Quarter Mile Rapid because of its length. At high flows, this rapid has some huge waves and holes.
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Mile 1.3
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RACEHORSE BEND (II+). At Racehorse Bend rapid, the river drops and bends left, pushing current into the right wall. Swimming here is not recommended, especially at low summer flows.
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Mile 1.5
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MAYA (II-III). Maya is a favorite surf and lunch spot for kayakers and private rafters. It's normally a pretty easy run down the middle, but there is a big hole at higher flows. There is a sneak route on the far right.
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Mile 1.8
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ROCK GARDEN (II). As its name implies, this is a rock garden to be maneuvered through with skill.
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Mile 3.0
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Site of old miner's cabin on right bank.
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Mile 3.1
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TRIPLE THREAT (III). Three separate drops, and all three can be run down the middle - with lots of bouncy, splashy fun. The third drop is after a sharp left-hand bend. First Threat Rapid is a favorite kayak surfing hole and site of the American River Festival Rodeo.
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Mile 5.1
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TROUBLEMAKER (III+). This is the biggest rapid on the upper section of this whitewater rafting trip. The river bends sharply right and then left, passing Gunsight Rock. It's also sometimes referred to as "S-Turn" rapid. Professional photographers frequently are stationed riverside, as are a host of whitewater enthusiasts - often cheering and applauding as you pass through the rapid. You may review and/or purchase photos after completing your American River rafting experience.
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Mile 5.2 - 10.6
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Easy Class I and II rapids. Pass the historic Gold Rush town of Coloma.
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Mile 5.2
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American River Resort. The resort, located on the banks of the South Fork American, offers riverside lodging, camping and hookup sites. The resort is a short drive on Hwy 49 from the James Marshall Gold Discovery State Park.
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Mile 5.5
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Coloma Resort. This is located on the banks of the American River and is adjacent to the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
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Mile 5.6
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Coloma Bridge. Built in 1917, also known as the "one-way bridge." There is no parking or river access.
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Mile 6.0
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Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park. The park sprawls across both sides of the highway, encompassing a museum, a full-scale replica of Sutter's Mill where the Gold Rush started, as well as a ghost town of restored period buildings and Gold Rush artifacts. At the museum you can learn how to pan for gold, and you can buy a gold pan there as well. Bekeart's Gun Shop, located in the Park, offers similar activities and old-fashioned trade goods.
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Mile 6.6
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BEGINNER'S HOLE RAPID (II). Also known as "Taco Bender" this is a fun play spot for kayakers.
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Mile 7.1
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OLD SCARY (II). The river bends sharply left, with an island midstream. Old Scary used to be one of the most difficult rapids on the Chili Bar-to-Coloma section of the South Fork until high water in 1982 rearranged it.
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Mile 7.3
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LAUGHING EDDY (II). Also known as Blue House Eddy or Whiplash. There is a sharp-edged eddy on river left, at the blue house shortly above the bridge. An eddy is an area of usually calm water behind or downstream of an obstruction in the main current, such as a rock, where water flows counter to that of the main current.
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Mile 7.4
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Highway 49 bridge and highway access.
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Mile 8.0
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Henningsen Lotus Park. 950 Lotus Road, Lotus, CA 95651
This 51-acre park provides a wide variety of recreation opportunities. The park is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until dusk.
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Mile 8.5
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LOTUS LEDGE SURFING HOLE (II). This used to be a fun little ledge hole, but it was wiped out in the flood of January 1997, and is now simply a riffle. A riffle is a shallow stretch in the river where water forms small rippled waves.
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Mile 9.0
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Mile 9.0
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BARKING DOG RAPID (II). This is a fun little surfing wave where kayakers like to practice their rolling skills.
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Mile 10.6
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CURRENT DIVIDER RAPID (II+). A rocky chute.
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Mile 11
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TAKE OUT (end) for O.A.R.S. Chili Bar trips.
TAKE OUT for the South Fork American River Chili Bar Run is at Mother Lode River Center Campground.
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