530.626.7385

More Middle Fork American River Trips

Middle Fork American River - 1 Day Rafting Trip

Auburn, CA /

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  • Trip Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm
  • Trip Length: 17 miles
  • Meals: Lunch Included
  • Camping: Available
  • Min. Age 14 years
PRICES STARTING AT
Weekdays
  • $149 – adults (& kids ages 14+)
Weekends
  • $169 – adults (& kids ages 14+)
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DEALS

Class 4 American River Summer Run!

The Middle Fork American River is set in a beautiful, rugged wilderness canyon in the Gold Country foothills. It has a very remote feel despite being close to Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. There are a several memorable rapids on this run, the first being “Tunnel Chute”. This a man made chute & tunnel were created by miners during the Gold Rush Era. They dynamited creating the narrow chute with steep rocky walls and the tunnel after. After you round the corner and get your first (and brief) glimpse of “the Chute” all you see is whitewater and the steep walls as you This leads to a big 6-foot drop and then through a 90-foot long rock tunnel! All this just 2.5 miles from put-in.

Numerous Class 3-4 rapids follow this in the first 6 miles, such as Last Chance, Submarine Hole and Kanaka. The pace is mellower for the next 7 miles, allowing time to appreciate the solitude and beauty of the lush, forested canyon. The incredibly clean & clear Sierra mountain water originates from the snow pack on the back side of Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows. You may get a glimpse of some wild-life and the river is host to rainbow and brown trout. We stop for a generous river side lunch (which many are surprised how good it is!). While your guides prepare the food, you will have time to swim and hike around.

After lunch we re-launch and below the entrance to Canyon Creek the Class 4 adrenaline rush kicks back in with the Ruck-a-Chucky rapids. Upper Ruck-A-Chucky (AKA Chunder) is the first in this series. Next is the formidable Ruck-A-Chucky Falls which is a Class 5-6 boulder slalom and a mandatory portage for clients – sorry no dollar amount can change that. We hike you up above the rapid and you can watch your brave & talented crew guide the boats down the 20′ drop through a sieve of huge boulders. Below the rapid your guide will bring the raft back over to you to get back in for the Lower Ruck-a-Chucky (AKA Cleavage) Rapid that immediately follows and is a fun “surf” spot. We make our way thru a 2 mile gorge laced with numerous Class 3-4 rapids such as Parallel Parking and Catapult (AKA 101 Airborne). Take out is at the Drivers Flat Road (old Greenwood Bridge) access point where our vans are waiting. The gear is loaded, with some assistance from the guests and we head back up the hill to Crooked Lane.

Overnight camping is available at our South Fork American River campground, for a full overnight experience with meals join us for a 2 day Rafting & Camping Trip!

Trip Information

  • Exciting Whitewater: perfect for the experienced paddler, as well as the very adventuresome first-time rafter
  • The famous Class IV+ Tunnel Chute: an exciting adrenaline rush whitewater ride
  • Legendary Gold Rush River with visible mining sites along the riverbank
  • A delightful riverside lunch as we relax and enjoy the quiet of the day
  • Great guides: skilled and ready to provide a safe and fun outdoor adventure
  • Exciting wildlife and spectacular mountain vista views
  • A full day of fun, relaxation and excitement in a beautiful river canyon

We are the ONLY rafting company that meets at the Crooked Lane Brewing Company. Upon return from your rafting trip, selected photos from your Middle Fork American River rafting trip are shown on a TV screen at the Brewery. Enjoy one of their hand crafted brews(not required!) while viewing your photos.

8:00am Meet in Auburn, California at the Crooked Lane Brewing Company (Restrooms’ available inside before you depart)
We board our river van soon after and head for the river, the shuttle to the put in is about 1 hour. The drive itself isn’t bad as we travel over the Foresthill Bridge spanning the North Fork American River, 730 feet below! It is one of the 4th  tallest bridge in the United States!
At the put in location you will receive your river gear including a paddle, a helmet, and a life jacket. Your guides will go over some safety information and once on river practice paddling skills with our guides…the first (and biggest) Class 4+ Tunnel Chute rapid is coming soon! Followed by several more Class 4 rapids like Kanaka Fall.

We stop mid-day for a riverside deli lunch for about an hour.

Back on river we encounter more Class 4 white water like Chunder and Parallel Parking Rapids to finish the day’s run.
Our shuttle vehicle will greet us at the Drivers Flat Take out while we (with some guest assistance) load the gear onto the vans.

We will pass back over the Foresthill Bridge on the way back to Crooked Lane at the end of the day, this shuttle is about 30 minutes.
4:00pm you are usually back and enjoying your photos!

There are food trucks usually at the Brewery from 3:00pm on, Crooked Lane is a family friendly indoor/outdoor facility.

  • active first time rafters with swimming skills
  • kids ages 14+

Please note this is a full day of physical activity in a wilderness canyon. There is no road access to where we raft between the put in and take out. If you have serious medical conditions please consult with your physician before booking.

Included with this trip:

  • PFD (Personal floatation device / aka life jacket)
  • Paddle
  • Helmet
  • Professional raft guide for each raft
  • Shuttle from Crooked Lane to the river and back
  • Lunch

Required Items:

  • Re-usable 20oz or more water bottle (filled with ice water)
  • shoes (no flip flops)

Suggested Items:

  • sunglasses (with a strap)
  • baseball hat
  • sunscreen
  • Cell Phone (at your risk, it will sink)

DO NOT BRING:

  • Wallets
  • Expensive jewelry
  • Pets

Directions

Meeting Location

Crooked Lane Brewing Company in Auburn, CA

Address: 536 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn, CA 95603

We have a reserved set of parking spaces located at Crooked Lane Brewing Company in Auburn, CA. There are several ways to enter the parking lot, but we have found the easiest way is via Highway 49. Please park in these designated spaces to the right side of the building (looking from Highway 49 towards the large covered patio with the columns). Our staff member will also be there to greet you.

At the end of your rafting trip there are cold drinks and food available at Crooked Lane. Delivery is also available from most restaurants in town.

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530.626.7385
Tributary Whitewater
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the Rivers we run

Our vision is to create a sustainable and equitable reality where our rivers are enjoyed and protected, a place where families and friends can be inspired and challenged.

Tributary Whitewater Tours has been running rivers since we were first founded in 1978. Since we opened 40+ years ago we have expanded to include Adventure Connection, Mariah Wilderness Expeditions, High Desert River Outfitters, Canyon Outfitters and are the parent company of Raft California and Raft Oregon. While some things have changed over the years, Tributary remains a family-run small business with the same passion for the river and the mission of leading others to experience it.

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Tributary Whitewater Tours is a permitted outfitter under the National Forest Service, the CA Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Nevada County, El Dorado County and Bureau of Land Management. Tributary Whitewater Tours is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.
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