The '10 California Rivers' Category Archive

I think that adults remember their grandparents in snapshots. When I think of my dad’s father, I see him after his stroke; thin, frail, confined to a wheelchair. I see my dad’s mom, graying, stressed, a bit short tempered. I […]

Summer is winding down and for many of you that means the kids will soon be headed back to school, buried under homework, band practice, and track meets.   Before you lose them to Academia, spend some time reconnecting and hanging […]

Monday, I was one of the 20 some odd guides who assembled in Groveland, CA to take on the Cherry Creek for the first run of the season. The experience felt one part business, one part reunion,  and one big […]

So literally a few days ago water experts were looking at Folsom Lake, shaking their heads, and pretty much throwing up their hands–the lake was literally at 31% of normal for this time of year.  That’s not cool by anyone’s […]

Scott A, the intrepid man at the helm of AO Rafting recently headed out into the deluge to check out the waterfalls and mayhem on the North Fork of the American River, which always  puts out a great show after […]

Let me start this with a qualifying statement: if you have yet to raft the Middle Fork American at all…you’ve got a problem that needs fixing. The Middle Fork is one of our most popular runs for a reason. Awesome […]

After the long stretch of calm whitewater on the Middle Fork of the American River,  and a delicious, freshly-prepared lunch, you will finally get to some more big rapids. And the first one you get to won’t let you off easy. […]

Don’t worry. After Tunnel Chute, the fun is definitely not over on the Middle Fork American. After another Class III stretch and one small class IV, you come to the last rapid before a lengthy calm section in the middle […]

It all started in 1973 when a group of friends came together to try and stop a dam that would drown the Stanislaus River.  Ten years later, as the water of the New Melones Reservoir rose, their worst fears came true. Nearly 40 years later,  that […]

If I had to pick a river that gives me butterflies every time I hear its name… brings back memories of high sides, steep drops, twisty technical turns, and quite the adrenaline rush, it would be the North Fork Stanislaus. Oh what a […]