The South Fork Class 2 Section

Sutter's Mill to Greenwood Creek

This run is about a half hour from Auburn.

Below are pictures of many of the exciting parts. There are also many slow pools for swimming and relaxing. Many people do this run and the shuttle is easy.

Be aware that most of the land along this run is private property except for the grey areas on the map and between hwy 49 and Lotus Park on the South side. Due to this residential nature, El Dorado County has this area designated as a quite zone, meaning no screaming and such during water fights. Also, if you land on a beach outside the public areas, you are trespassing.

Before heading to put-in you must stop at take-out, hike to the river (1/8 mile) and study the area carefully or you can float right past and wind up on the class 3 Gorge section!

	Click on these thumbnails for a larger view.
	A half mile below the Sutter's Mill the river drops around a gentle turn to the left. Generally you enter on the right half of the river and work your way left as you go around the turn, mainly to avoid a rock near the right shore at the bottom. There are some nice waves around the turn.
	About a mile from put-in you'll see Old Scary rapid. Note the trees & rock island in the middle and the route to either side. The rapid is on a curve and your momentum will push you to the right bank unless set an angle to the left as you paddle around the turn. Note the easy left route. This is a high water picture (4300CFS)
	Next you'll pass under the Highway 49 bridge. If you are tubing you can walk back to the starting point only 1/4 mile away. Next you'll pass through three more rapids. On the left you'll see a large beach area (Lotus Park). Bathrooms are available.
	After passing Camp Lotus is Barking Dog Rapid. They say there used to be a dog nearby that would bark at all the boaters. You want to make sure and hit the wave in the center for maximum fun.
	The entrance to Cable Crossing Rapid (this is a high water pic). Just past the rock in the middle you have to work left to avoid getting spun into some rocks, holes or shallows depending on the flow.
	The lower part of Cable Crossing after the turn has some wrap rocks you'll want to miss. Just follow the kayakers.
	When you notice cars on the highway, you are coming up on Highway Rapid, a long one with shallow rocks to avoid. The first section has rocks in the middle you can get stuck on. Most of the pros enter the main channel on the right and then veer left just before the island.
	The main drop from the side.
	The lower half of Highway is a rock garden. You must work towards the right and catch the main flow moving sharply right at the bottom or get stranded on rocks with other boaters going by laughing at you. A few more turns and the river takes you to Swimmers Rapid, the last one before take-out for this class 2 section. Many folks bail out of their rafts above the drop and practice swimming through the waves here. Just stay to the middle were the water is deepest and the waves biggest. Keep your feet downstream and at the surface to avoid foot entrapment.
	The takeout is on river right just past Greenwood Creek and across from this manicured property. Look for the moose that hangs out under the trees. This is the last chance to take out on highway 49. Drift below this you are committing to the Gorge Run. There is no easy public access beyond here. It's a bit of a carry to the parking lot. You may want to make two trips if you have a heavy cooler.