Whitewater Rafting - All Gay Weekend!!

(one hour from Sacramento, CA)

 

Alrighty Folks!  Join me at Mariah Wilderness Expeditions again this year for 2 days of Whitewater Rafting on the American River during their all-gay weekend. This 2-day trip (South/Middle Fork Combo) includes 29 miles of river, 2 nights camping and 5 meals. It is perfect for fit and adventurous beginners and intermediate rafters. Warm up (or cool down) on the South Fork and get your thrills on the Middle Fork with the Class V 'Tunnel Chute'! We only have room for 12 GREAT Outdoors members, so sign-up quick to reserve your spot. There'll be no cancellations on this trip, but your reservation is fully transferrable (we'll work it out!) And, of course, I'll facilitate carpooling.

 

Campsite:

We'll be camping at Mariah's 20-acre riverside campground in the Oak Tree Camp Area! This spacious campground offers comfort and privacy and is one of the largest and most beautiful camps on the river. Amenities: Camp Store, Evening Slide Show, Hot Showers, Flush Toilets, Ping-Pong, Horseshoes, Volleyball, Fishing, Frisbee .. and did I mention that this was an ALL-GAY WEEKEND?!

 

Food:

Delicious, hearty meals are cooked by our guides with the help of food managers and are served under our covered dining area. Wine from several local award-winning wineries, beer, cold drinks, and water are available in camp. Enjoy outdoor camaraderie while sipping your refreshing beverage in our new Wine and Beverage Garden. Enjoy our Coffee Corner in the morning.

 

Perfect for adventurous and fit first-timers or intermediate rafters, the Middle Fork of the American River flows through a stunning and remote wilderness canyon, 2,000 feet deep with tall, sheer faced rock walls and lush pine forests. The Middle Fork is well-known for the famous Tunnel Chute rapids - 100+ yards of foam and froth followed immediately by the 30-yard tunnel our boats float through. This rapid was created when gold miners blasted through rock to change the flow of the river. We position our boats at the top of the Chute and paddle a few forward strokes which gives us the momentum we need to enter the current. Then the current and gradient take us on a thrilling ride!

 

Mariah uses high-quality professional river equipment; Coast Guard approved life jackets and full safety and emergency gear. On most of our trips we use paddle boats with six rafters plus your guide. Mariah has a 100% excellent safety record.

 

Friday after 5:00pm - Arrive, check-in and join us for some wine. (Have dinner before you arrive or bring something that doesn't require cooking.)

Saturday: Breakfast at 8:00am* and then gather for orientation and safety information. Head for the river where you will receive your paddle and life jacket. We launch our boats, practice paddling skills with our guides and head for some easy rapids to get us started feeling confident and ready for the day. We stop mid-day for a delicious deli lunch along the river and then run some fun Class III rapids like Hospital Bar and Satan's Cesspool. We return to camp with time to enjoy the peace of the canyon over dinner, slide show and campfire.

Sunday: Breakfast at 7:00am* and then shuttle to the Middle Fork ready for the Tunnel Chute and lots more fun and challenging rapids. We return to camp at the end of the day, ready to head home with fond farewells about 5pm, relaxed and full of memories from a great river trip experience.

 

*Come dressed & ready for the river each morning. You may bring a jacket or sweatshirt to wear on the way to put-in the second day. On cool days we'll have a dry bag in each boat for extra wool or fleece tops.

 

Quick-dry shorts/swimsuit, sunscreen & t-shirt for sun protection, tennis shoes or water shoes (no thongs or sandals), hat or visor, sunglasses WITH CHUMS.

 

CLASS I - Easy-Beginner: Moving water with small waves and no obstacles.

CLASS II - Easy-Beginner: Moderately moving water with gentle waves. Obstacles such as rocks are easy to maneuver through and around, mild gradient.

CLASS III - Beginner-Intermediate: Moderate whitewater, exciting but not difficult. Obstacles such as rocks and changes in river gradients are easy to maneuver through and around.

CLASS IV - Intermediate-Advanced: High volume whitewater that requires technical maneuvering; helmets are often required.

CLASS V - Advanced-Expert: Maximum intensity whitewater. The river bed is extremely obstructed and expert navigating is required.

CLASS VI - Unrunnable (except in the movies).

 

Mariah has been offering high quality, safe and exciting rafting trips for over 28 years. We have seven great California rivers to choose from. They provide enough variety for rafters of all ages and experience, and each river is beautiful and scenic. The American River is classic California rafting, and its three forks are all different. The South Fork is great for families and first time rafters as well as for the more experienced paddler. The Middle Fork is more challenging with its famous Tunnel Chute Rapid. The North Fork is snow fed and is a popular early-season river for the more adventurous rafter.

 

Our guides are trained professionals, and many of them have been with us for over 26 years. We want you to have a good time on the river and your safety is our first concern. Whether you have rafted with us many times before or if this is your first time choosing Mariah Wilderness Expeditions, we thank you for giving us your trust and confidence. Have a great time.