Cali trip 3/24/06-3/27/06

[billcanoes]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning on being in Califorfornia 3/24-3/27 - I'm hoping for 1 day of paddling and wanted to just kind of through the date out there for some folks who arent TOO terribly far away, though OR/NV and WA arent technically close-

Anyway I'd like to hop on the American I think section 7- Satans Folley section- Anyone been on it- How is it in March??? Frigid? And can anyone compare it to some Eastern rivers ( I think I'd be fine on it as long as it wasnt super high) Lower Gauley 2800 CFS has been my hardest river.

Bruce F/Cone Bone/Galen - OC1 Canobi (the cascade c1 paddler as opposed to the NC open boat aka his kanubic travesty)

My plans arent 100% set in stone yet- but I at least wanted to throw the dates out and plant a seed

[ChrisKelly]

near Sacramento. I bet they might still do that. Boated a bunch of California stuff. If you are interested e-mail me and I'll figure out where it is exactly.
Chris Kelly

[Cone Bone]

Bill,

Thanks for the heads up. The suggested run sounds good (http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/4068). My first reaction is to say it's unlikely I can make the drive in March, but I will ponder it...

[billcanoes]

There is still a lot in the air for me- but I would love to do the American-I just heard from a local guide who says it should be 3000-4000cfs and a little chilly and rainy.

PLUS I'm not positive on paddling yet -but I'm pretty sure I can work it out hehehehehe- I just really want to so I thought I throw a heads up- I will update the thread as things firm up-

I was hoping to plant a seed - since this summer I had things planned non stop for 3 months worth of weekends- it kind of stunk to be booked everyday between work and other obligations-I should know in Jan so no one will make plans and have them fall through.

I checked out the rivers you were on they looked pretty fun-

Bill

[johnd]

You might be referring to the Gorge Run, South Fork of the American, which has a Satan's Cesspool rapid. There's a good description of it on www.cacreeks.com.

[Bruce Farrenkopf]

Hello Bill,

I live close to the 'Gorge' run on the SF American (Satans Cesspooll) and would be very willing to meet you there. It is Class 3+ or so. I've done the run several times and enjoyed it . Most of the time it runs about 1000 cfs or so but it can get big in the Spring. Keep me posted as the time gets closer.

SYOTR,

Bruce Farrenkopf

[billcanoes]

I'll definately keep you posted- I hope I get to paddle while I'm there- I've heard about the American a bunch and it sounds awesome.



Bill

[Coldwater]

I'll keep the date in mind. It's quite a ways from Central Oregon but I've been wanting to get down that way.

[Remoteproductions]

Make sure you find out what time the faucet gets turned off. My first attempt of the S. Fork I started unloading boats, then realized the water had been shut off. Not used to that. Fun, mellow, crowded stretch. Raft guides seem to aim for boaters. People thought we were crazy for wanting to camp on forest service b/c of all the Pot/Meth operations in the woods. Next CA trip for me will be staying North of I-80. Midle Fork.... Great class IV with 1 easy portage.

[Larry Horne]

sorry remote productions, but i can't let this one go..

middle fork of what? if you meant middle american; first, it is south of i-80. and second, it is a terrible run..longest and most boring run i've ever seen with a couple of class IV and one or two portages thrown in. the run is longer than 11 miles but there is at least 11 flat, flat miles in the middle. if you enjoy lake paddling go for it. but the south fork american gorge at 3000 cfs blows the middle fork out of the water!
march is kind of early, and tricky as far as predicting what's going to be running, but there should be other runs going of much higher quality than the middle fork american.

but..
if you meant middle yuba, middle feather, or middle eel, now your talkin'

[Remoteproductions]

Middle Fork of the American..... Tunnel Chute. From the dam down is a class III,IV,V+ day run. There's a portage over the falls. You can take out on a 4x4 road. I know the mid of American is S. of I-80. Like I said, I preferred N or I-80 away from the prisons and seemed like fewer meth tweakers and more stoned hippies. I'd rather hang w/ a hippie rather than a tweaker any day.

[Larry Horne]

sorry to be so harsh, i had a bad day at work so i'm taking it out on you

i'm with you on the tweaker issue..unfortunately there's pockets of 'em everywhere. luckily they self destruct..

i still say the middle american is weak. the first half mile is good, the last quarter mile is good, the middle MILLION miles is a lake! we only run that thing when the entire state is dry and we're desperate. there are so many better runs in cali.

i'm curious if you got to do any other runs here. if not, you need to come back.
in the spring.

[Remoteproductions]

The only other run I did was a class II section of the Feather, but we did it in flat water boats with a friend from Feather River College. I would love to get back there and run some more stuff. Think I'm going to save my money this year so I can make it to OC champs on the Ocoee in Aug. I've travelled all over this great country, but still need to spend some quality time in N Cali, OR, and Wash. I love it out there. Just haven't ever lived out that way. Soon enough. Thanks for the appology

[Bruce Farrenkopf]

I agree with Larry. There are far better runs around than the Middle Fork American. Larry know his way around Northern California whitewater.
SYOTR,
Bruce
P.S. Bill, you will have a good time out here .