Action on this stretch of river starts immediately with Class III Meatgrinder, the longest, most technical rapid on the South Fork American River. Continuing through the canyon you meet more challenging rapids such as Racehorse Bend, Triple Threat and finally the river’s most difficult rapid of all, Class III+ Troublemaker!
Suddenly the river mellows as we float into the beautiful Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, the site of Gold Discovery in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill. Historic buildings, Nisenan artifacts, and the abundant natural history of the region provide a unique eco-tour.
After lunch, we again board the rafts for the final stage of our journey, the return to camp. Here the MaLode guides love to share what we term “riverskills”. You will have the opportunity to “read” the river’s currents, position the boat properly in turns, and even guide a mellow rapid should you desire!
Appropriately, some of best whitewater excitement is saved for last….. We must navigate Mother Lode’s own Class III rapid, legendary “Highway”, and attain the MaLode eddy to be home again.
Chili Bar is a morning trip and we are usually off the river by 2:30 pm. Minimum age is 8 years old under normal water flow conditions.
