North Fork of the American
The "North Fork" as it is known in California is the quintessential Class IV+ run. It's a classic due to its clear water and steep, challenging drops. The scenery is top notch and the spring wildflowers are unmatched. There are are three distinct sections and the Chamberlain Falls section is by far the most popular.
Chamberlain Falls - Class IV+
|
|
Featured North Fork of the American River Outfitter
California
rafting with W.E.T. River Trips on
the North Fork American since
1978. Customized Group rafting trips: (888) RAFTWET.
This is the classic and exciting North Fork of the American run. It's
best known for challenging rapids with good sized drops that require
precise maneuvering. The most exciting rapids are Chamberlain Falls,
Bogus Thunder,
and Staircase.
This is the best one-day run in California because it has everything:
clear water, great rapids, a spectacular canyon, and the occasional jaw-dropping
wildflower display.
The exciting part of the run is from the Iowa Hill Bridge to the Yankee Jim Road, which is five miles long and has a gradient of 44 feet per mile. After doing this run, there are three possible take-outs.
- There is a difficult take-out and limited parking at Yankee Jim Road.
- You can continue down four more miles of fun Class III rapids to Ponderosa Way and a better take-out.
- To make this trip a full day of fun, you can go three miles past Ponderosa Way and take out at Upper Clementine Reservoir. This option is only available with commercial outfitters.
Giant Gap - Class V
|
|
Giant Gap is the upper North Fork of the American. A day on "the Gap" entails a two mile hike to put-in, fourteen miles of river, three solid class V rapids, and numerous difficult Class IV's. Giant Gap is an especially challenging endeavor because the canyon walls are steep and it's nearly impossible to hike out. The trouble is worth it if you like challenging rapids and spectacular scenery.
Email
This Page