American River Whitewater Rafting Super 1-Day

MILE BY MILE ON THE SOUTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER

Information for this Mile by Mile guide was gathered from the books “California Whitewater” and “A Guide to the Best Whitewater in the State of California,” as well as from a variety of sources on the Internet.

• Mile 8.0

  Lower South Fork American ~ Gorge Run
  

  The meeting location and put-in (start) of our Lower South Fork American River Super One-Day trip is the private OARS at Earthtrek Camp  7340 Hwy 49, Lotus, CA 95651: Located on the banks of the South Fork American River.

• Mile 8.5

  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.

• Mile 9.0

  Camp Lotus. Located two miles from historic Coloma, this campground is situated along the South Fork of the American River.

• Mile 9.0

  BARKING DOG RAPID (II) This is a fun little surfing wave where kayakers like to practice their rolling skills.

• Mile 10.6

  CURRENT DIVIDER RAPID (II+) A rocky chute.

• Mile 11.1

  HIGHWAY RAPID (II+) A long, curving rock garden.

• Mile 11.5

  SWIMMER’S RAPID (II) 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.

• Mile 11.5

  Greenwood Creek public access is on river right.

• Mile 12.2

  Public restrooms.  Public facilities on the South Fork American River whitewater rafting trip.

• Mile 13.9

  Gorilla Rock.  This rock really looks like a gorilla!

• Mile 15.8

  FOWLER’S ROCK (III).  Fowler’s Rock 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.

  Interesting fact: 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.

• Mile 16.9

  SATAN’S CESSPOOL (III+)  Satan’s is the biggest rapid in the Gorge Run of the South Fork American River. A rock above the final drop provides a good vantage point for photographers and spectators.  Professional photographers are frequently stationed here with their cameras. You may purchase or view your rafting photos at Hotshot Imaging near our campground entrance.

• Mile 17.0

  SON OF SATAN’S (II+)

• Mile 17.4

  SCISSORS (III)  The river turns left down a narrow, rocky chute with big, irregular waves.

• 17.6

  LOWER HAYSTACK CANYON (II+)  A fun, bouncy rapid with big standing waves and short drops in a narrow section of the river canyon.

• Mile 18.1

  Weber Creek – a large, year-round creek on river left.

• Mile 18.2

  BOUNCING ROCK (II+)  This rapid provides a bouncy whitewater ride.

• Mile 18.6

  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. You may purchase or view your rafting photos at Hotshot Imaging near our campground entrance.

• Mile 18.8

  RECOVERY ROOM (II+)  Big, fun waves and clean drops.

• Mile 19.4

  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!

• Mile 20.5

  TAKE OUT (end) for the South Fork American River Gorge Run is at Salmon Falls Bridge at Folsom Reservoir.