California and Oregon Rafting

Another round of storms is coming into the Sierra’s this weekend. Ski resorts are ecstatic about the growing snowpack. It looks like we should have a normal to above normal run-off this season. North Fork American flows were approximately 1,000 cfs today and climbing. W.E.T. River Trips will start on March 18th, Saturday on the Chamberlain Falls run. Reserve now for the best dates this spring!

Those of you who love paddling in the Spring on whitewater rivers throughout California, will really enjoy the great flows in late March through May. Most rafting companies include gear such as wetsuits, helmets, splash jackets, etc. Remember to ask before you reserve your river trip. Also, keep in mind that you want to go with the most experienced outfitter and guides to keep you as safe as possible!

It’s time again to start thinking about the annual Smith River trip in February. This year, President’s Day falls on February 20th, so the weekend of boating action will be February 18-20.

For those of you that have never been, prepare for some cold weather rafting, partying in Crescent City, and come with some patience. The flows on the Smith are variable so we usually won’t decide what sections to run each day until the night before. Usually we run the South Fork on Saturday, North Fork on Sunday, and then something interesting on Monday for those that stick around.

If you want to save money, bring a good tent and stay at Jedidiah (Jebidah for the cool kids) Redwoods State Park. Those of you with bucks will stay at the BVI in Crescent City because of the hot tub and the ability to walk home from bars. More info will follow the week before the trip.

American Whitewater is the nation’s river conservation organization. Basically the help protect rivers and their focus is whitewater rivers. By joining American Whitewater, you are supporting their continuing efforts to keep current whitewater gems available as well as opening up dry whitewater runs with big dams above them.

Here in California we can thank them for getting recreational whitewater releases on the North Fork of the Feather. They are also currently working on projects to improve whitewater flows on the Mokulmne and Tuolumne Rivers as well as a handful of other rivers.

Supporting American Whitewater is easy and you get six issues of their great magazine. Click here to learn more about joining American Whitewater.

W.E.T. River Trips is expanding their trip offerings for 2006. Several rafting partners in the Western United States are helping our rafting clientele & paddling friends to experience other rivers throughout the West. Best Bets for 2006 will be the American River, Klamath, Kern, Tuolumne, Cal Salmon, Yuba, Rogue, Deschutes, Illinois and more. Please go to our website at RAFTWET.com for our recommended rivers in the Western United States. We hope to see you all in 2006!

December was good to the Sierra and most California drainiages have between 90% and 120% of normal snowpack. As of January 1, the American River had about 117% of average which is good news for the North Fork season.

After a few weeks of flooding in the Coast Ranges of California and high flows in the Sierra, we’re looking at partly cloudy weather for the week ahead. Good weather and flows! It’s time to boat.

The Tahoe ski areas are boasting spectacular conditions this wekeend. Kirkwood, which has the highest base around Tahoe, is boasting a 16″ to 166″ base.