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South
Fork American
The South Fork is one of the most popular
whitewater rivers in the west. It's class 2 & 3 rapids are exciting yet tame
enough for people off all ages when accompanied by an experienced guide. The
upper and lower sections are class 3 but the middle section where it flows
through the Coloma Valley is class 2; suitable for river trainees looking for a
good place to learn. During the summer, flows are dependent on hydro power
releases from Chili Bar Dam starting at around 8:00AM. This water reaches Coloma
at about 11:00AM.
Coloma to Greenwood
Creek - Middle Section: About 6 miles of class 1-2.
Quiet sections interspersed with moderate rapids. Put in at Marshal
Gold Discovery Park and continue to Greenwood
Creek which enters on right. Hwy 49 is 1/8 mile away.
From the highway, look for the "River Access" signs. There is now a paved parking lot there I highly recommend that you walk in and look at the take out
so you can recognize it when you get there. If you miss this take out you will
be committed to running the class 3 gorge section. You
can also take out earlier at Lotus Park or Camp Lotus and do it twice; avoiding the more
difficult lower 3 miles of this run. Click here
for slide show of middle section.
Chili Bar Run: Class
3. About 8 to 11 miles depending on take-out point. Put in at Chili Bar at the Hwy 193
crossing. After one half mile you're into Meatgrinder, the longest rapid
on the river. Towards the lower part of the run there's Troublemaker Rapid
where you'll have your picture taken - hopefully in the boat! The rest of
the trip is easy. Take out at Hwy 49, Lotus Park, Camp
Lotus or Greenwood Creek. If you are doing the whole
river you can pass the creek and continue on to the
Gorge section.
Gorge Run: Class 3.
Ten miles. Put in at one of the take out points mentioned
above. Much of the land along the river is private so
look for the signs designating public land if you want to
stop for lunch. The first 2/3 of this section are easy but watch
out for the first class 3 as you get into the
"Gorge" section. Just around a cabin sized rock
is Fowler's Rock, a well known wrap rock. There are many
rapids from here on. At Satan's Cesspool you'll have your
picture taken so look cool. After rockin through Haystack
Canyon, Bouncing Rock, Hospital Bar and Recovery Room you'll probably
hit Folsom Lake. If the lake is full you'll want to bring
$10 for the tow boat or paddle for 1 mile or less toward the end of
season. Takeout is just before
Salmon Falls bridge to the right. Click here for
Gorge run slide show.
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