We run the river top to bottom, as nature seems to have intended it to be. Our reasons are two fold, it’s easier to remember how the river is laid out, like reading a book: front to back. Secondly, many of the companies that focus on Los Angeles clientele like to run the river backwards to end earlier the second day and push the clients down the road. This means the heavier traffic runs opposite of us and we have more quiet, to ourselves space while on the water. We can customize our style to any group need, but these are the reasons we run the river top to bottom. With that said…
 Your two day raft trip shapes up like this: Here, at the Put-In, your guides will prepare the rafts for the day’s adventure while you’re free to use the flushing facilities, stroll over to the water’s edge, lounge under the large shade trees on the grassy rise. Once the rafts are rigged, you’ll be fit in your life vest, listen to a safety talk by a guide and be split into crews. (Often we’re asked what’s the most and the least number of people needed to go rafting. We’ve been known to put rafts on the water for just 2-people, but we have to find others to paddle. Generally speaking, 4-people is the smallest preferred crew and 7 is the maximum we like to run in our rafts. If absolutely necessary, and we’ve done it, we’ll run a larger raft and put 8 in the raft. 6 is an ideal number of people per raft.)
Once on the water your guide begins putting you through the paces as the raft is balanced for paddle strength and you learn to paddle as a crew learning the difference between, “forward!”, “hard forward!!”, “right forward, left back”, “stop!!” and “hang on!!!” among other commands.
Within the first mile your new skills are put into action as you maneuver through Meat Grinder a class III+, long and technical whitewater rapid. From Meat Grinder you’ll move onto Racehorse Bend, Rock Garden, Maya, 1st, 2nd and 3rd threats finally ending the serious rapids with the world famous Trouble Maker III+.
Along the way, you’ll stop by the riverside and be treated to a gourmet deli style lunch, completely prepared and presented by your guides. There will be “swimmers rapid” where you’ll have the opportunity to swim a whitewater rapid!! You’ll build stories and memories that will last a lifetime and you’ll be itching to come back again and again.
This area is filled with history. You’ll see road/pathways that were built during the Gold Rush, reportedly by the Chinese Laborers of the day called Coolies. As you near Coloma, the site where gold was discovered, you’ll notice huge mounds of boulders, these are tailings left from the Gold Rush era and the hydro-mining. Of course, on the Chili Bar run you’ll float right through the State Park that is The Marshall Gold Discovery Site. This is THE place, this is where it all began. All that reading in your history books and now, you’re here, taking part in the history of being!! Welcome.
 After Trouble Maker you’ll meander back to camp with seemingly calm class I and II rapids. The day is done. You’re off the water between 2 and 3:30 free until dinner time, approximately 6 PM. This is a great time to freshen up in the free hot showers, play some volleyball, set up camp, read a book, take a much deserved nap, etc., this is free time, earned time, your time.
Sometime after 6PM, your guides will shout out dinnertime and you’ll approach another impressive display of great eats. Our meals can easily accommodate meat eaters and vegetarians alike, with some notice and help we can prepare vegan options and other dietary special foods. Eat up and eat well BUT, save room for a dessert you’ll just wonder how we were able to pull off in the middle of a campsite!!
You’ve rafted, you’ve rested, you’ve eaten, guess it’s time for a campfire. This again, is your time. Some like to sit around and imbibe, other tell tales, but this too is a perfect time for board games or reading or laying on a bedroll staring into the incredibly starry sky.
Bring your mosquito repellent!!
Early in the morn’ your guides will rise and begin making breakfast. Yes, yes, we’ll start the coffee right away! Get out some morning eats and begin making another excellent meal (people really do rave about the food and presentation). This is a lazier morning as we await the water release to reach our camp. After breakfast you’ll find this is a perfect time to breakdown camp and get packed up. Just about the time you’re done with camp breakdown it’s time to head to the water and begin the second day of rafting.
The Gorge offers plenty of time to wake up and grow into the day as the morning is filled with beautiful floating through class I and II water. You’ll visit Turtle Pond where it’s not uncommon to see river turtles sunbathing on rocks and tree limbs. If you’re diligent in your viewing you may even see a beaver or certainly the traces of as many trees are gnawed in ringlets at the base where the beaver have been working. You’ll float through Gorilla Lake  where rocks have formed in the shape of Gorillas, you’ll see Regan Rock. Here, as with the Upper, you’ll have an opportunity to swim in a whitewater rapid and enjoy a nice long float.
Along the way, you’ll stop by the riverside and be treated to a gourmet deli style lunch, completely prepared and presented by your guides.
After lunch, the pace quickens as you count off the number of times you can see the Lollipop Tree the sentinel of the Gorge. In the Gorge, the wall of the river canyon narrows and all the water is forced into less space. It is here your ride picks up in pace, intensity and frequency of rapids. Where the Chili Bar run has all the big rapids spread out throughout your day, the Gorge pops them at you one right after the other.
You’ll enter the Gorge with Fowler’s Rock, head into Upper Haystack Canyon, Lost Hat (don’t forget to cinch yours down!!), Satan’s Cesspool, Son of Satan, Lower Haystack Canyon, Bouncing Rock, Hospital Bar and Recovery Room. Once recovered you’re in Folsom Lake where you’ll help get the equipment to the vehicle and be shuttled back to Camp Lotus, where it all began. Once again you’ll find yourself building stories, memories and friendships that will span a lifetime.
We’ll completely understand when you ask, “Can we do that again!?” |
