Ground Report

January 24, 1848 was a pivotal day in the lives of early Californians, and in the life of their country.  The discovery of gold in the small hamlet of Coloma, along the banks of the South Fork of the American, would forever change the fortunes of all those who lived there, as well as those who would – by the hundreds of thousands – descend like locusts upon her shores.  Fortunes would be made and mislaid, lives would be enriched and lost, and the native populations of California would suffer further deprivation from the onslaught of new settlers seeking their own dreams….at whatever cost.  The Gold Rush of 1849 (it took that long to get the word out!) sparked the largest mass exodus of humanity from all over the globe to one location in the history of the world.  It hastened the fulfillment of a young United States’ vision of “Manifest Destiny”.  And it forever changed the perception of this newest state of the union – California: The Golden State…..where dreams are made.

Fast forward from the mid 18^th century to the early 21^st, and…as the saying goes…” the more things change, the more they stay the same”.  Dreams are still fulfilled, fortunes still sought…and riches still made.  But, in some respects, there are subtle – and not so subtle – differences.  The dreams might have as much to do with preserving the river, and the lands along her shores, as they do with exploiting it.  The fortunes may be made by floating down her abundant waters, or by growing grapes in the foothills that lie above her waves.  And the riches…well, the riches might have a more spiritual nature to them – something that glitters from within, as opposed to without.

American River Rafting

The South Fork is the most popular whitewater river on the west coast.  Its the premier American River rafting adventure! And, though this year we’re in the midst of a drought of historic proportions, we’ll still see great whitewater flows all summer long due to the multitude of upstream reservoirs and powerhouses, along with the newly issued Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license guidelines for their operation.  What that means is there will be awesome rapids every day of the week except Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, as well as on weekends throughout April, May and September.  Indeed, the South Fork American will be one of only a few rivers in California with dedicated, dependable flows all summer long.  Couple that with the other opportunities that lie in our midst, including a few companies that are offering completely unique wine tasting and rafting trips, and you have a recipe for unmatched fun. The ability to raft California is still an option this year, even with the drought!

The classic Class III run of the South Fork of the American River sees upwards of 110,000 visitors each year.  People from all over the globe come to enjoy her waters.  From Chili Bar Dam to Folsom Reservoir lies 21 miles of some of the best, and most accessible, intermediate whitewater in the country, suitable for kids 7 to 75.  And, inevitably, what her visitors find is something that regular river users, and riverside residents, already know – that there’s magic in her waves.  It attracts artists and poets…musicians and engineers…bankers, teachers, students…dreamers.  It changes lives in ways that are myriad and beautiful.   And all of us in our little valley invite you to come and discover that magic for yourself.