Which River Is Right for You?
Class I - Easy-Beginner: Moving water with
small waves and no obstacles. Class I rapids are found on every river. Ideal
for children ages four and up. Trip: The Raft Express.
Class II - Easy-Beginner: Moderately moving
water with gentle waves. Obstacles such as rocks are easy to maneuver through
and around, mild gradient. Ideal for children ages four to seven and up. Class
II rapids are found on every river. Trips: The Raft Express and the
Guide-Your-Own Inflatable Kayak, both on the South Fork American.
Class III - Beginner-Intermediate: Moderate
whitewater, exciting but not difficult. Obstacles such as rocks and changes in
river gradients are easy to maneuver through and around. Ideal for the
first-time adult rafter and youth ages seven and up. Trips: South Fork American
and the Kings.
Class IV - Intermediate-Advanced: High volume
whitewater that requires technical maneuvering; helmets are often required.
Ideal for experienced rafters and youth ages twelve to fourteen and up
depending on the water level. Trips: Merced, Middle Fork American, North Fork
American, Tuolumne.
Class V - Advanced-Expert: Maximum intensity
whitewater. The river bed is extremely obstructed and expert navigating is
required. A training seminar and a Class V paddler's test are required. Trip:
Cherry Creek.
Class VI - Unrunnable (except in the
movies). Ratings are based on a normal flow and can change due to water
level. Please call so we can help you select the most appropriate river.
What do the numbers
mean?
South Fork:
- 800-1200 CFS=Normal flows. Plenty of Class II &
III whitewater rafting and beautiful scenery. Great for first timers, groups
and families, yet still fun for experienced boaters.
- 1200-3000 CFS=Medium - High flows. Challenging
Class III+ whitewater rafting, exciting for first timers and veterans alike.
Big waves and swift moving water.
- Above 3000 CFS=High flows. Challenging Class III+
whitewater rafting. Fast moving water, with powerful waves and long rapids
Middle Fork:
- 800 - 1100 CFS=Normal flows. Perfect for
enthusiastic first timers and experienced whitewater paddlers.
- 1100 - 1700 CFS=Medium - High flows. More
challenging Class IV whitewater, yet suitable for a wide range of skill
levels.
- Above 1700 CFS=High flows. Class IV whitewater with
additional challenges. May occur only a few weeks in spring.
North Fork :
- 600-1200 CFS=Lower flows. Class IV whitewater
rafting. Great for experienced paddlers and for some athletic & adventurous
first timer passengers.
- 1200-3000 CFS=Medium to high flows. Challenging
Class IV whitewater rafting, exciting for experienced rafters. Previous
experience preferred. Bigger waves and swift moving water.
- Above 3000 CFS=High flows. Challenging Class IV
whitewater Fast moving water, with powerful waves and rapids. Participants
should be athletic with previous rafting experience.
Merced:
- 1000 cfs -2000 cfs: Class III - IV , Great for
experienced paddlers and for adventurous first timer passengers.
- 2000 cfs - 4000 cfs: Class III - IV+ , Great for
experienced paddlers and for some athletic & adventurous first timer
passengers.
- Above 4000 cfs: Class IV - V - High flows.
Challenging Class IV whitewater Fast moving water, with powerful waves and
rapids. Participants should be athletic with previous rafting experience.
Tuolumne:
- Class IV-: 600 - 4000 cfs , Great for experienced
paddlers and for adventurous first timer passengers.
- Class IV+: 4000 - 8000 cfs , High flows.
Challenging Class V whitewater Fast moving water, with powerful waves and
rapids. Participants should be athletic with previous rafting experience.
- Class V: above 8000 cfs , Very high flows.
Challenging Class V whitewater Fast moving water, with powerful waves and
rapids. Participants should be athletic with previous rafting experience.
Cherry Creek:
- Class IV-: 600 - 1500 cfs
- Class IV: 1500 - 4000 cfs
- Class IV+: 4000 - 8000 cfs
- Class V: above 8000 cfs
Cherry Creek is always challenging Class IV whitewater
Fast moving water, with powerful waves and rapids. Participants must be
athletic with previous rafting experience. Due to the demanding nature of
Cherry Creek, combination oar/paddle boats are used on this run. A training
seminar and Class V peddler's test are required for this wild ride.
