The North … All of these class IV rapids should be scouted before running. All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting There are consistent Class II+ rapids until you reach the end of your North Fork of the Stanislaus whitewater rafting experience in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Hot/cold drinks and a return shuttle to your vehicle await at the take-out of your OARS North Fork Stan River rafting trip. BEAR CLAW (III+) “Chunky” run in the main current with a few “pin” rocks. However, the lower half of the run is extremely thrilling with steep, continuous whitewater. The North Fork of the Stanislaus River boasts some of the most technical Class IV whitewater rafting in California. The North Fork of the Stanislaus, like the other upper sections, are home to rainbow and brown trout. At Rattlesnake a large horn rapid in the center turns the rapid into an S-rapid, and a submerged rock to river left is routinely crashed into by unsuspecting rafters. The in-house web development team at All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting has created this website to serve as an educational and informational resource for guests, guides and the general whitewater rafting community. While the North Fork is stocked at public access areas such as Board’s Crossing and Sourgrass campground (and therefore more fish are caught), to find the bigger catches you need to move away from these heavily frequented areas. Many of our guests choose to spend an extra day visiting the Park to go hiking on the hundreds of trails it has to offer, and to see the giant sequoias and redwoods in their natural setting. The North Fork of the Stanislaus river requires technical whitewater skills to navigate through large hydraulics, tight drops and rive hazards typical of high mountain streams. Please note that this map is not intended to provide a complete list of river hazards. This website was designed to provide information about The other guides were also very good. mile 0 Put in from the convenient parking area on river right downstream of Sourgrass Bridge, avoiding Sourgrass Falls, currently class V or V+ with nasty undercuts at the bottom. In California, where we operate along the Klamath, American, Tuolumne, Stanislaus and Merced Rivers, we acknowledge the territories of the Shasta, Yokuts, Nisenan, Karuk and various bands of the Sierra Me-wuk/Miwok tribes. In addition, the Camp Nine run reappears when New Melones Lake is low, allowing boaters to run this part of the river, although siltation of the river bed due to reservoir impoundment makes access difficult. Sign up today for monthly giveaways, engaging stories & videos, special offers & more! This bag is usually available only during the lunch stop. Door #1 is the most fun with a 5-foot “spout” waterfall. Take out/end. The North Fork of the Stanislaus River runs in the Sierra Nevadas, and in doing so presents a very different kind of run than the Lower Stanislaus does. Calaveras Big Trees State Park, 1170 CA-4, Arnold, CA 95223 If you make it through the Sluice, you are through the most difficult part of the run, and the take out at Caleveras Big Tree State Park is right downstream. O.A.R.S. Essential Eligibility Criteria for River Trips, Essential Eligibility Criteria for Sea Kayaking Trips, Essential Eligibility Criteria for Hiking Trips, The Best Rafting Near San Francisco for Every Adventure Level, Merced River Rafting Near Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne River Rafting Near Yosemite National Park, Rafting on the North Fork Stanislaus River is a top California whitewater adventure, In the spring, this High Sierra river offers six miles of virtually non-stop Class IV+ rafting through a scenic canyon. 551 likes. Chris (lead guide) did an excellent job, in both guiding my raft and group organization and safety. After it was dammed in the early 80’s, most rafting companies moved their businesses to the South Fork of the American. [160] The entrance to the rapid begins on river right. Commercially, trips run from Sourgrass (close to Dorrington) to Towering Cliffs and 2000 foot canyon walls spotted with black oaks and varying pines sets the back drop of one of the most beautiful California whitewater rafting river canyons. Unlike other Class IV Sierra runs, the North Stan is a high elevation run (nearly 5000 feet at put-in), lined by redwood trees and filled with enormous granite boulders. Because of its steep gradient and narrow channel,the North Fork of the Stanislaus can be navigated by raft at flows from 350 cfs to approximately 3, 000 cfs. With an overall gradient of 77 feet per mile at a beginning elevation just below the 4,000 ft mark, the North Stan is more like rafting a high mountain creek then the more commonly rafted rivers of the foothills. At the five mile mark, Macheck’s Mayhem rears its ugly head, and rafters should take care to avoid the rock at the beginning of the rapid so they don’t end up swimming through this extended period of whitewater. After the put-in at Sourgrass, the rapids start right away on Beginner’s Luck, a series of 3 drops that can put you in the water early if you are not paying attention. There is a hidden line on the left bank that is really fun. Most rivers are rated on a scale of I – VI: from Class I, moving water with riffles and small waves, to Class VI, extreme whitewater not commercially navigable. Doors #2 and #3 involve a lot of technical maneuvering. Granite gorges, meadows of wild azaleas and old Miwok Indian sites slip by one after another, amidst big waves, churning holes and plenty of technically-demanding paddling. A staircase sequence of drops and chutes that starts right from the beginning of the trip, the Stanislaus is for the more rugged whitewater enthusiast that thrills in tackling complicated runs. Multiple Stanislaus River rafting trips exist that range from mild to wild, and the park system on the Stanislaus has created portals for river kayaking, hiking, fishing, and camping for the public. Class IV+ rapids; cold water with high flip/swim potential. North Fork Stanislaus River, Arnold, CA. The second drop is typically run as far left as possible. SHOTGUN (III) There is a technical entrance with a lot of acceleration along a granite slab on the left side of the river. O.A.R.S. The Stanislaus River is one of the most popular commercial rafting rivers in California! It is only runnable in the springtime when the snow melts and the river rises, since the upstream dam rarely releases water during daylight hours. Boaters may paddle a five-mile, Class IV stretch of the river between Sourgrass, near Dorrington, and Calaveras Big Trees State Park, just east of Arnold. North Fork The North Fork of the Stanislaus River runs in the Sierra Nevadas, and in doing so presents a very different kind of run than the Lower Stanislaus does. South Fork/North Fork American River Rafting; Photos & Videos . Listen to your guide and paddle hard! Reviews . Beginner’s Luck is often the most challenging rapid of the day. Use code "stanislaus" when booking your Knights Ferry trip here to get $3 off per person. 12 years ago. The North Fork Stanislaus River provides outstanding opportunities for experienced whitewater enthusiasts. Note: Even an “easier” trip can become “challenging”due to weather, water level, or your personal choice of boat and/or hiking options. Save 25% when you purchase for yourself or give as a gift Sale ends Sunday, January 31, 2021 Choose from the “River Trip” options listed below or enter any amount here Adjust the quantity you wish to purchase once you add the item to the cart All Trip Fares are per person and subject […] You will make a hard push to the left to avoid a 6-foot wide by 6-foot high pour-over. The North Fork Stan trip was the best one-day trip I have ever experienced. 20% Discount for Groups of 12 or More! Water levels are really high, and I wish I could have taken pictures of the churning rapids. rafting. North Fork Stanislaus Mile-by-Mile Whitewater Rafting Guide The following mile-by-mile river map describes some of the exciting highlights you can expect from this Intermediate-Advanced river trip. This rapid is broken up into the upper, middle, and lower section, all of which would be class IV rapids alone. SURF LEDGES (III) There are consistent re-circulating holes that are great for surfing. Whitewater Rafting Reviews for the North Fork Stanislaus ... Our river specialists are available to help by email, phone or live chat. North Fork Stanislaus River. © 1969 - 2020 OARS Companies Inc. All rights reserved. The North Fork of the Stanislaus River passes through the Giant Sequoia groves of Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Northern California. Do NOT Bring The North Fork of the Stanislaus River, or the “North Stan,” is an under-appreciated gem for rafting and kayaking. Wonderful river and great scenery. Board’s Crossing. from All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting Plus . With an average gradient of 70 feet per mile, the rapids come quickly on this river! The main fork of the Stanislaus River, once the most popular rafting and kayaking run in California, gained notoriety in the late 1970’s and early ’80’s when the extremely controversial New Melones Dam was constructed and buried the Stanislaus River under New Melones Reservoir. The Stanislaus is arguably the most unusual whitewater rafting river of the Central Sierra Nevada. UPPER SEQUOIA (IV+) This is an “s-turn” type of rapid. After navigating the top there are three ways out of the rapid: Door #1, #2 or #3. The North Fork is a technical class IV+ river, meaning that only very experienced crews should attempt this river in a non-commercial fashion. THE PLUNGE (IV) There is an 8-foot slanting waterfall with a big hole at the bottom on the left side of the river. Moving up the hill to the North Fork of the Stanislaus River, rafting is available as well. Commercially, trips run from Sourgrass (close to Dorrington) to Caleveras Big Tree State Park, about seven miles downstream. There is a collection of rock jumbles on river right. Unlike other Class IV Sierra runs, the North Stan is a high elevation run (nearly 5000 feet at put-in), lined by redwood trees and filled with enormous granite boulders. The river takes you past high alpine scenery, including a … Please include good judgement in your packing list. West, Inc. holds Transportation Charter Permits (TCP0022913 - C and TCP0022913 – A) with the California Public Utilities Commission. A veritable insta-epic the North Fork of the Stanislaus River boasts some of the most technical Class IV whitewater rafting in California. However, the choice of routes varies depending on the river’s flow. www.Stanislaus-Rivers.com also provides information about camping, and permit requirements for the North Fork of the Stanislaus river. For hard-working paddlers with a taste for thrills, chills and spills—rafting the North Fork Stanislaus River in Northern California is a slice of wild whitewater heaven. “The OARS catalog has turned into a coffeetable dream book for adventure junkies.” – T. Edward Nickens. This is the first time since 2011 that the river has been open for rafting… West, Inc. operates on the North Fork of the Stanislaus River as a permitted outfitter under the Stanislaus National Forest. Tim Wernette and Carolyn Brown. This river boasts some of the most technical Class IV whitewater rafting in California. The North Stanislaus River flows only during a short period in the springtime, usually in late April and May. North Fork Stanislaus River is located 2.5 hours from Sacramento. For a brief time during the Spring–when snow is melting in the Sierra–the “North Stan” offers some of the most technical Class IV … The North Fork of Stanislaus River starts up at Highland Creek (below Highland Lakes) and parallels the Ebbetts Pass pavement westward down the mountain. Your California whitewater rafting trip on the North Fork Stanislaus River starts with Beginner’s Luck rapid. 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