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Mile 10.8
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O.A.R.S. base camp and lunch spot for full-day trips.Mother Lode River Center Campground at 6280 Hwy 49 Lotus, CA 95651: Located on twelve gorgeous acres, stretching over a third of a mile on
the riverfront, offers modern shower and bathroom facilities, a sand
volleyball court, horseshoe rings, tons of lawn game sets, and an
unequalled list of amenities for your comfort. O.A.R.S. South Fork American River rafting passengers park their vehicles at Mother Lode River Center Campground. Guests will be returned to the campground upon completing their whitewater journey.
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Mile 11.1
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HIGHWAY RAPID (II+). A long, curving rock garden..
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Mile 11.5
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SWIMMER’S RAPID. Swimmer's Rapid is a great spot for rafting passengers to jump in and experience what it feels like to swim a rapid. It is a fun wave train rapid.
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Mile 12.2
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Mile 13.9
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Gorilla Rock. This rock, sometimes referred to as Convict Rock, really looks like a gorilla.
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Mile 15.8
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FOWLER’S ROCK (III). Entrance to ‘The Gorge’ - occurs after the third sighting of the Lollipop tree. This tree can be spotted atop a distant hill and does indeed resemble a lollipop. This is the first big rapid on the South Fork’s lower section. The river bends left into a short pool then back to the right where a boulder cluster marks the entry to the rapid.
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Mile 16.9
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SATAN’S CESSPOOL (III+). Satan’s is the biggest rapid in the Gorge Run of the South Fork American River. After a long pool, the river pours over a sharp drop (Lost Hat), then bends left and right into a bigger drop against the left wall. There is a small eddy on the left just down stream. A rock above the final drop provides a good vantage point for photographers and spectators. Professional photographers are frequently stationed here with their cameras. |
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Mile 17.0
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SON OF SATAN’S or DEAD MAN’S DROP (II+).
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Mile 17.4
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SCISSORS (III). The river turns left down a narrow, rocky chute with big, irregular waves.
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Mile 17.6
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LOWER HAYSTACK CANYON (II+). A fun, bouncy rapid with big standing waves and short drops in a narrow section.
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Mile 18.1
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Weber Creek – a large, year-round creek on river left.
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Mile 18.2
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BOUNCING ROCK (II+). This rapid, with a big hole on river right, provides a bouncy whitewater ride.
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Mile 18.6
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HOSPITAL BAR (III). Named for a medical tent set up here during the Gold Rush, this is the last big, splashy rapid on The Gorge Run. The rapid is a rock chute that bends left and then right. It provides surprising whitewater fun. Professional photographers are sometimes stationed here with their cameras.
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Mile 18.8
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RECOVERY ROOM (II+). Big, fun waves and clean drops.
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Mile 19.4
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SURPRISE RAPID (II). If the Folsom Reservoir is full, there will be a flat-water paddle or a tow-out, and this rapid will be under water. Class II rapids continue to mile 20 if the reservoir is low. It is a treat to find Surprise Rapid uncovered!
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Mile 20.5
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TAKE OUT (end) for O.A.R.S. full-day trips.
TAKE OUT for the South Fork American River is at Salmon Falls Bridge at Folsom Reservoir.
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