Contact Info
63 Natoma Street
Folsom, CA 95630
- Phone:
- 916-985-4474
Basics
- Location:
- Sierra Nevada Mountains
- River:
- American River
- Class:
- Class III - V
- River Length
- 15 miles
- Time:
- Full Day
- Season:
- April to June
Basic Directions
Take U.S. 50 to the town of Placerville, then follow Hwy 49 to Hwy. 193 to the Chili BarReservoir. Highway 49 also runs through Coloma for river access at the state historic park.
Description
The famous Giant Gap 14-mile run of the even more famous North Fork American River is one of California's top whitewater challenges, for experts only. Cliffs tower 2,000 feet above the river. Parts of this Class V run are so rough that you might end up believing that some of those 2'000 foot cliffs are under the water.
Heaps of mine tailings and old cabin ruins border this roller-coaster ride through the historic Mother Lode. Stop to catch your breath at the Lover's Leap picnic area, which features California's most venerable black oak, estimated to be 350-450 years old.
