SOUTH FORK
AMERICAN RIVER, California
1 and 2 day South Fork American River whitewater rafting trips, Class
III, April to October
The South Fork American River is located on the
western slope of the Sierra between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.,
The South Fork American River flows past historic Sutter's Mill
where James Marshall started the Great California Gold Rush with
his discovery of gold in 1848. Over 30 rapids, from mild to wild
are encountered on the 21 mile journey from Chili Bar to Folsom
Lake. Our two day trip includes a first day run down the 13 mile
Lower Gorge where the challenge of Satan's Cesspool, Bouncing Rock
and Hospital Bar await. The second day of our trip climaxes with
an 8 mile Upper Chili Bar Run where you run Meatgrinder, Triple
Threat and famed Troublemaker Rapid. While our 2
day trip is the best way to fully experience the South Fork
American River, those with limited time can also choose a 1 day
trip on either the Lower Gorge or Upper Chili Bar Runs.
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Dear EarthTrek Staff,
Just a note to say
we had a wondeful experience on our whitewater rafting adventure with you on
the South Fork American River. We had never been before and it was great! The
entire staff was so accommodating, pleasant and reassuring. Everyone was as
helpful as possible. We'll definitely come back and recommend EarthTrek to
anyone who wants to have a great trip. We can't thank you enough.
Art &
Nancy C. |
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2 day SOUTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER trips |
Our 2 day trip includes 5 delicious meals and
2 nights camping at our private river front
camp where you can enjoy our grass lawn, recreation area with sand
volleyball court, horseshoes, ping pong, foosball and darts. After rafting on
the South Fork American River the first day you can relax in our camp and enjoy
a complimentary beer and hors d'oeuvres as our guides prepare a
dinner feast. After dinner we present
an entertaining slide and video show where you can see yourself rafting the
biggest rapids of the day.
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On our two day trip you raft the Lower
Gorge Run from the EarthTrek Camp, 13 miles to Folsom Lake on the first day.
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On the second day you raft the Upper
Chili Bar Run, 8 miles from the Chili Bar Put-in to the EarthTrek
Camp. |
Our guide Adan performing his famous fire dance around the evening
campfire
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Fun Class III
rapids on the South Fork American River |
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1 day LOWER GORGE RUN, South Fork American
River |
Meet us at 9:30 AM (weekends)
or 11:00 AM (midweek) at our private camp where, after a brief
orientation, we will begin our 13 mile journey down the Lower Gorge
of the South Fork American. Our Lower Gorge trip begins at our camp
as we float a swift but mellow section of the river allowing everyone
to perfect their paddling skills in preparation for the challenging
American River Gorge. After a delicious “deli”
style picnic lunch (on midweek trips we have lunch at our camp
prior to begining the trip) we enter the Gorge where in quick succession
we will bounce, yell, get wet and laugh through Fowler’s Rock,
Satan’s Cesspool, Haystack Canyon, Bouncing Rock and Hospital
Bar Rapids. Our journey ends on the warm, still waters of Folsom
Lake where an awaiting bus or van shuttles you back to the meeting
place at about 4-4:30 PM.
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1 day UPPER CHILI BAR RUN, South Fork American
River |
Meet us at 9:30 AM at
our camp and then we will shuttle you up to Chili Bar where
we begin our thrilling 8 mile run. The action begins immediately
with Meatgrinder, followed by numerous rapids including Racehorse
Bend, Rock Garden, Triple Threat and climaxed by a mad dash through
famed Troublemaker Rapid. Our trip ends as we pull ashore back at
our camp where your guides prepare a tasty
barbecue lunch. The trip concludes at about 2:30-3 PM.
Our SUPER 1 DAY TRIP includes a full day of
rafting the Lower Gorge plus camping
before and after your rafting trip, 2 breakfasts and dinner.
You may arrive at our camp on the South Fork
American anytime after 6 PM on the night before your trip. The first day of
your trip will include breakfast, followed by our full day raft trip down the
Lower Gorge with lunch. Dinner will be included that evening along with another
night of camping. The trip concludes after breakfast the next morning, about 9
AM.
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SOUTH FORK AMERICAN
TRIP
PRICES
1 and 2 day trips
All raft trip prices below are subject to
a $5 per day government river access fee.
Youth rates apply to ages 8-16 years old.
Minimum age to raft the South Fork American
is 8 years old.
Special Note:
all weekend trips departing prior to May 22, 2009and after
Sept 7, 2009 will be priced at our midweek rate
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Saturday |
Sunday |
Mon-Thurs |
Friday |
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2 DAY TRIPS
Include 2 nights camping and 5 meals |
$289 adult
$249 youth |
$269 adult
$229 youth |
$259 adult
$219 youth |
$279 adult
$239 youth |
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1 DAY LOWER
GORGE
Includes lunch and shuttle |
$139 adult
$124 youth |
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$124 adult
$109 youth |
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1 DAY CHILI
BAR
Includes lunch and shuttle |
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$99 adult
$89 youth |
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SUPER 1 DAY TRIP
Includes 2 nights camping and 4 meals |
$185 adult
$165 youth |
na |
$165 adult
$145 youth |
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RESERVATIONS: A $100 per person deposit
($50 per person for 1 day trips) is required at the time of booking with the
balance due 30 days prior to trip departure. |
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TRIP
SCHEDULES
Listed below is our scheduled departure days for 2009.
Groups of 10 or more may schedule a trip on any day of the
week (except Wednesdays).
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2 DAY TRIPS:
Two day trips are scheduled to depart every Saturday,
April thru October plus every Monday and Thursday,
June thru August. You may arrive anytime after 6 PM the evening
before your trip. |
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1 DAY LOWER GORGE:
One day Lower Gorge trips are scheduled to depart every Saturday,
April thru October plus every Monday and Thursday,
June thru August. Meeting time is at 9:30 AM on Saturdays
and 11 AM Mondays and Thursdays. |
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1 DAY CHILI BAR RUN:
One day Upper Chili Bar trips are scheduled to depart
every Sunday, April thru October plus every
Tuesday and Friday, June
thru August. Meeting time is at 9:30 AM. |
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SUPER 1 DAY TRIPS:
Super 1 day trips are scheduled to depart every Saturday,
Monday and Thursday, June
to September. You may arrive anytime after 6 PM the evening
before your trip. |
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Our 1 day trips on the South Fork
American include rafting and lunch. If you would like to add
camping and
additional meals to your package, you
may do so with advance arrangements with EarthTrek Expeditions. The rates are
as follows.
Camping . . $10 per night per
person
Breakfast. . . . . .
. $7 per person
Dinner . .
. . . . . . $16 per person |
El Dorado County notice:
"Water flows in the South Fork American
result from releases from facilities located upstream. Such water
releases are not subject to the controls of El Dorado County or
commercial rafting companies operating under permits from El Dorado
County."
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