Tunnel Chute Rapid – Middle Fork of the American River
Posted January 1, 2021 by Diane CampbellTunnel Chute is perhaps the best known highlight of the thrilling ride that is the Middle Fork of the American River. This rapid is famous for its dramatic 80-foot chute and exhilarating six-foot drop, which ends with a victorious float through the majestic 90-foot rock tunnel. Once you’re on the Middle Fork, you don’t have much time to prepare for this Class IV+ rapid. Here’s a preview of what you can expect.
What is Tunnel Chute?
Tunnel Chute is a human-made rapid. In the 1860s, gold miners created a tunnel in the granite mountainside to divert the river flow so they could more easily access the gold that had settled in the river’s horseshoe bend. The site became a lucrative spot for gold-rush miners and created the spectacular Tunnel Chute rapid that we enjoy today.
What can I expect when we get there?
All Middle Fork of the American River trips get underway quickly as soon as the rafts leave shore. There are several Class III rapids before Last Chance, the entryway to the infamous Tunnel Chute. When time permits, All-Outdoors guides and guests will walk to the edge of the rocks above Tunnel Chute to look down on this amazing rapid before running it. Whether we stop to look at it or not, guides will prepare rafters for this thrilling plunge before we are pulled into its descent.
All-Outdoors on the Middle Fork American
Nothing compares to completing a challenge like Tunnel Chute and then enjoying a peaceful float in the natural splendor of this beautiful 2000-foot deep river canyon. Whether you’re looking for an intense day of hitting the Middle Fork rapids or a more leisurely trip with camping and hiking, we have you covered. All-Outdoors offers 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day trips on the Middle Fork American.
See what other rafters have to say about this see-to-believe rapid on our Middle Fork reviews page.