Middle Fork American

Picture of Drivers Launch/Take-out area

The crystal clear waters of this river run through a deep wilderness canyon of exceptional beauty. The lower run is suitable for novice rafters who have done their homework regarding river features and navigation skills.

Class 2 about 7 miles. This is the longest summer class 2 run avalable. A dirt road runs from Foresthill Rd down into the canyon to the starting point. (A limited number of camp sites are available for early comers) This is a nice, uncrowded intermediate run with lots of fun, splashy rapids. The canyon had extensive placer mining operations in the 1800s but you can hardly tell. In summer the flows from the upstream power release arrive around 2:00PM or later making this a nice afternoon run. The run takes about 3 hours if you don't rush it. Takeout is at the Mammoth Bar OHV (motorcycle) area. It is very important to not drift past your takeout spot since there is a knarly class 5+ rapid just downstream that's extremely difficult to portage. You can see this rapid from the lower section of road during your shuttle if you look from the little shoulder spot a little ways up the road.

Shuttle Service

Middle Fork shuttle is avalable to put-in point, leaving Auburn at around 1:00PM. We first drive to the take-out point where you drop off you vehicle(s) for your return trip. Then we proceed to your starting point. Part of the service is the primary inflation of the raft. At the end of your trip, you deflate the raft and return it to the Canyon warehouse. Cost is $10 per person with a $65 minimum. Shuttle is a charter service and must be booked ahead of time.

Driver's Flat to Mammoth Bar Run

Click for larger map. This map has the run plus shows Lake Clementine; a good place to kayak.	The run is in the Auburn State recreation Area. Put-in is from Driver's Flat Road off of Forrethill Rd.
Looking into the canyon from Forresthill Rd.
	If it's the early part of the season, you'll get to drive though this creek. If you arrive early you can bushwhack up this creek and find a great pool at the bottom of a cascade to cool off in. The creek follows an interesting fault line. The put-in spot is just beyond the campgrounds above the first rapid.
If you are willing to go another half mile up the road and another creek crossing, you can start at this great sculpted rock pool. You'll need good ground clearance on your vehicle.	The Middle Fork is a good place to learn.
Just below the campground is this rapid with lot's of choices. You can scout this from the road on the way in and choose your path. I recommend entering the right channel even though there are some guard rocks at the entrance.	The middle fork is ideal for small boats which get the best ride in the relatively small waves.
You will need to avoid hitting these rocks about a mile from the start. The current is fast! From upstream they look like watery humps.	Much of this run is an easy float interspersed with gravel bar rapids.
Oops, stuck in the shallows! At the end of the long straight section is this wide shallow zone. Since this picture was taken, a new clear route has opened up on river right.	Hey; we're cool...we can do this!
Pulled over at a secret side creek.	This is the largest hole on the run. You can blast through it if you have enough speed or sneak around it on either side. If you hit it make sure to enter at 90 degrees to avoid flipping.
Sneekin around on the right side of the hole. If you run this hole about 15 feet to this side you can get everybody wet.	From upstream it's hard to see the best clear path through the rocks on this one. You can pull over on river right to take a look first.
These beginners all made it down this run.	Just around the corner from Mammoth Bar take out is this place they call Murderer's Bar, a class 5 rapid to stay out of! Watch for signs & parked vehicles indicating arrival at Mammoth Bar take-out. Park your vehicle so you can see it from the river!