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CALIFORNIA WHITEWATER
RAFTING
ADVENTURES
Since 1982, over
100,000 Happy Guests & Growing!
Only for very
experienced rafters - the Ultimate challenge!
"This river is awesome! I
can't wait to run it again next spring!" N.R.,
Modesto, CA
The Kaweah
River Description
One-Day
Trips
Two-Day Trips
Trip
Meeting Place
Trip Dates and Prices Listen To What Our Customers Have To
Say
Southern-Central
California, Two hours east of Fresno, near Sequoia National Park.
Difficulty: Class IV, Advanced: High Intensity Whitewater.
Available, most weekends, April through June (Depending on water
levels)
Minimum Age: 14 years old
The Kaweah - Adrenaline-Rush River!
Plummeting out of Sequoia National Park
just east of Visalia lies the Kaweah, one of America's steepest rivers. In
their classic guidebook California Whitewater, Jim Cassady and Fryar Calhoun
describe the Kaweah as running "swift, clear, and free through some of the most
exciting rapids in the state". In other words, only your adrenaline rushes
faster than these waters. The upper stretch of river has an average gradient
drop of 70' per mile. Compare that to our Class III South Fork American's 23'
per-mile gradient! The torrential whitewater, beautiful scenery, and its short
3 1/2 hour drive from Southern California convinced us to add the Kaweah trips
to our offerings.
Challenging Whitewater-Are You Ready?
Due to the nature of this run you must
be in good physical condition and possess prior paddling experience, preferably
Class IV or higher, to raft this river. You will also be expected to
participate in a pre-trip instruction class on the first morning, covering
advanced paddling, safety, and swimming techniques. Wet suits are an absolute
necessity and are included in the price of the trip. Please make an appraisal
of your ability to handle this run, and be brutally honest. If you're up to the
challenge, the rapids of the Kaweah offer an experience unlike any other on the
planet.
One Day Trips 11 miles; lunch
Our one-day trips are on Saturdays and
Sundays, meeting at 8:30 AM. After check-in we'll take a short drive to the
put-in where you will receive a safety orientation and paddling instruction by
your guides. The stretch of river we do on the one-day trip is very exciting
with many class IV and V rapids including "Suicide Falls" and "The Flood".
After a picnic lunch on the riverbank we'll get back into our boats and tackle
some of the biggest rapids on the river like "Upper and Lower Slickies" and
"Holiday Hole". Our take-out is at Lake Kaweah - just a short bus ride back to
your vehicles. We're usually off the water and back at our meeting site by 3 to
4 PM.
Two Day Trips
16-20 miles (depending on water
levels); 1 night of camping, 4 meals; available Saturday
Our two-day trips begin on Saturdays at
8:30 AM. This trip includes a buffet style lunch on the river each day,
delicious dinner at our overnight camp on the river, and breakfast the second
morning.
The first day is the same stretch as our one-day trips. We camp at mile 11, enjoying the wilderness, a sumptuous dinner prepared by your guides, great conversation, bright stars, and a peaceful sleep. The next morning, after breakfast, we either continue on down river or repeat the same stretch we did the first day. Usually folks prefer to repeat the same stretch because of the abundance of exciting rapids. We return to our meeting place around 4 PM of the second day relaxed and ready for the next exciting adventure!
Meeting Place and Time
Take highway 99 to Visalia, CA, then go
east on highway 198 to Three Rivers, CA (40 minutes from Visalia). After you
drive around Lake Kaweah, look for the Kaweah Park Resort. You'll be directed
to our meeting spot by the office personnel. Driving time - 3 hours from LA, 4
hours from SF.
All trips meet at 9AM at the Kaweah Park Resort, 40457 Sierra Dr. in Three Rivers, CA. Kaweah Park Resort offers camping, R.V. hookups, and cabins with kitchens. Other lodging is available at many of the fine motels in the area.
Prices |
Mariah Home |
MARIAH WILDERNESS EXPEDITIONS
P.O. Box
70248
Point Richmond, CA 94807
Voice (510) 233-2303 Fax (510)
233-0956
Reservations (800) 462-7424
rafting@mariahwe.com