American River Rafting Combo: South Fork | Middle Fork

• Your 2-Day South Fork / Middle Fork American River Combo trip begins at the private Mother Lode River Center Campground at 6280 Hwy 49 Lotus, CA 95651 where we board rafts for a day of fun and sun
• The river spills through the narrow granite walls of the Gorge bringing the challenge of some of the biggest, most exciting whitewater on the South Fork, including Fowler's Rock, Satan's Cesspool and Hospital Bar
• At camp, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cold drinks before a scrumptious evening meal
• Take a swim or a shower; join a game of volleyball or horseshoes while dinner is prepared.  After dinner perhaps a cheerful campfire will encourage a gathering filled with conversation, stories and laughter
• Following a hearty breakfast the next morning we transfer to the Middle Fork American for a day of Class IV excitement
• After a hearty continental breakfast there will be a shuttle ride to the put-in location on the Middle Fork American
• Aptly named Good Morning, a big-wave Class III rapid gets our blood flowing and hearts pumping as our Middle Fork American River rafting trip through the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains begins
• The ominous roar of famous Tunnel Chute is the presage that we hear before the river rushes downward 25 feet through a man-made chute and tunnel
• The river changes considerably, meandering over several miles of calm water allowing us the opportunity to rest while gazing at the beautiful scenery
• Steep walls covered in pine forests plunge down into the boulder-strewn river in the heart of Auburn State Recreation Area in the American River Canyon
• A delicious deli-style picnic is served riverside
• Paddle through the flat-water section and prepare for another long stretch of continuous whitewater action
• An intense Class IV drop, Chunder, provides thrills and chills before a portage around roaring 35-foot Ruck-A-Chucky Falls
• The day winds down with another mile and a half of great whitewater - Parallel Parking, Texas Chainsaw Mama and Final Exam
• Transfer back to your vehicles and return to civilization for the conclusion of our South Fork / Middle Fork American River rafting trip

Getting to the O.A.R.S. Mother Lode River Center

• From Sacramento on U.S. Hwy 50: Follow Hwy 50 east toward Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. Take the Ponderosa Road exit (Exit #37), turn left onto Ponderosa/S Shingle and cross over the freeway. At the second stop, take the first right turn on N. Shingle Road toward Coloma/Lotus. After six miles N. Shingle turns into Lotus Road—continue going straight. Pass through the first stop sign and continue on to a dead end intersection with Hwy 49 (the Sierra Nevada House will be on your right). Turn left onto Hwy 49 North and cross the bridge over the South Fork American. Mother Lode River Center is on the left side of Hwy. 49, 2.3 miles from this bridge and opposite County road marker 26.51. Our physical address is 6280 Hwy 49.


• From South Lake Tahoe: Take Hwy 50 West to Placerville. Turn right on Hwy 49 (North) and follow the directions from Placerville listed below.


• From Placerville: Proceed north on Hwy 49 through the town of Coloma. Just past Coloma, cross the bridge over the South Fork of the American. The Mother Lode River Center is located on the left side of Hwy. 49, 2.3 miles from this bridge and opposite County road marker 26.51. Our physical address is 6280 Hwy 49.


• From Reno/North Lake Tahoe: Take Hwy 80 West to Auburn. Take Hwy 49 South from Auburn. Approximately 9 miles past the town of Cool, you will arrive at Mother Lode River Center. Mother Lode is on the right side of the highway, opposite County road marker 26.51. Our physical address is 6280 Hwy 49.

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