South Fork American River Express Trips
Select from the following Express Trips
Lower "Gorge" Trips
Float before Class III rapids
12 miles
Lunch not included
Express Lower "Gorge" Sample Itinerary:
- Meet in early afternoon (mid-morning in spring), in Lotus
- Sign-in, instruction
- Class II warm-up rapids
- Class III rapids, the "Gorge"
- Take-out in Folsom Lake, shuttle
- Trip ends late afternoon (early afternoon in spring)
This trip begins with mellow Class II rapids, giving you time to warm-up before we reach the Class III whitewater of the "Gorge." Your paddling skills will be tested in Fowler's Rock Rapid, the first Class III rapid we encounter. After Fowler's, the whitewater continues at a perfect pace, one Class III rapid after another, until late afternoon when we reach our take-out in Folsom Lake.
The itinerary above may be altered due to a range of variables, including river flow levels, water release schedules, time of year, and other factors.
Contact us if you have any questions.
Upper "Chili Bar" Trips
(offered Year-Round)
Class III rapids followed by a float
9 miles
Lunch not included
Express Upper "Chili Bar" Sample Itinerary:
- Meet mid-morning in Lotus
- Sign-in, shuttle, instruction
- Class III rapids
- Class II rapids, take-out in early afternoon
The action begins right after put-in with Class III Meatgrinder Rapid--the longest rapid on the river. The fast pace continues until you reach the last Class III challenge of the day--Troublemaker Rapid. After this wild, S-turn rapid, you'll begin a more leisurely three-mile Class II section to take-out in Lotus.
The itinerary above may be altered due to a range of variables, including river flow levels, water release schedules, time of year, and other factors.
Contact us if you have any questions.