Considered the premier spring rafting trip in California, the Cal Salmon offers challenging, exciting whitewater rafting. If you choose to raft the Cal Salmon River, you will find it to be one of those California gems that will quicken the pulse of even the most experienced rafter.
The river begins high in the Trinity Alps and churns through the stately Salmon Mountains and bedrock canyon before it connects with the Klamath River. The Cal Salmon River is so named to distinguish it from the widely known Salmon River in Idaho. While rafting, you will experience some extraordinary Class IV and Class V whitewater.
The "Wild and Scenic" Cal Salmon River in California
Designated as a "Wild and Scenic" river, the Cal Salmon flows free from the beginning to the very end. The Cal Salmon depends on being fed by snowmelt. Because of the "Dam-free" situation, there is a short season, which begins in April and ends in mid-June. The River flows through dense and lush forests, which results in amazingly beautiful turquoise water. The river is far from California's major populated areas and it is never crowded.
If you are just beginning to explore California rafting, then the Cal Salmon is said to be the next logical "step up" after you have experienced some of the popular rafting trips in California. This is because there are more advanced rapids to encounter on both the north fork and the south fork of the Cal Salmon. There are three class V and many class IV rapids to navigate.
The Cal Salmon offers an abundance of challenges
The rafting trip will begin at the gravel bar on mile zero. Along the way, you will encounter some enjoyable Class II and III runs, but make no mistake there are some exciting and challenging Class IV and three Class V to negotiate.
There are long stretches of boulder laden mazes, cascades and drops, some of which may be scouted from the river bank.
Most of the rapids have memorable and mind-boggling names such as Airplane Turn, Achilles Heel, Steelhead Falls, Last Chance and Freight Train. The class II and III Wooley Bully rapids was dynamited to allow the salmon to be able to swim upstream in their annual quest to spawn.
Activities along the Cal Salmon River
Try to book your California rafting with a good outfitter on the Salmon River rafting trip well in advance. Also while you are there, enjoy some of the best salmon fishing in America, relax in campgrounds managed by the forest service, explore limestone caves, and enjoy hiking and wilderness backpacking amidst breathtaking scenery.
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About W.E.T. River Trips
In 1978, a couple of school teachers in the Sacramento, California area had an idea for creating a rafting program for at-risk high school students. Steve & Rich created W.E.T. for the sole purpose of offering whitewater rafting trips for students in their school district. The first few trips proved so successful that the two partners opened their doors to the general, local population. From that day, W.E.T. River Trips was born. Diverse populations and ages from all parts of the world now join W.E.T. for one day rafting trips to multiple days on the river.
Visit our website for more information on California whitewater rafting trips. Main offerings for river rafting packages include American River Rafting, Klamath River Rafting, California Rafting Trips and our new features on Teen Rafting. Our site has descriptions of the different rivers that we currently run, information on the local river areas, lodging, rafting and vacation packages, family rafting trips, group rafting trips, discounts, teen rafting trips, funny rafting stories, rafting photos, rafting contest, and links to whitewater rafting sites.
In California, all your river rafting needs will be met on the RAFTWET.com site. Choose the rafting trip that will suit your friends, family, company outing or your rafting event. Call W.E.T. River Trips toll free at 1.888.723.8938 for more information on our whitewater river rafting trips.
American River Rafting Trips
Our most popular runs on the American River Rafting trips occur from mid-March through September. These three forks of the American River include the most popular river in the West, the South Fork American; the infamous Middle Fork American Tunnel Chute run; and the advanced springtime runs on the Class 4 North Fork American. From novice to advanced river rafting, the American River system satisfys all whitewater rafting needs!
Cal Salmon Rafting Trips
The California Salmon River is our extreme best. Pulsing with the spring snow melt, the river is clean, clear, swift and powerful. The steep canyon is overhung with verdant foliage and punctuated by small waterfalls and sidestreams in counterpoint to rapids llike Freight Train, Cascade, the Maze, the Fin and Achilles Heels. The Salmon is now a member of the Wild and Scenic River System and freely flows from the Salmon-Trinity Primitive Area into the Klamath River. We sometimes finish a trip by floating into the Klamath and running the Class IV "Ikes" section above Orleans.
Klamath River Rafting Trips
The Klamath River offers a unique wilderness opportunity to float the longest undammed river in California. The river is interspersed with Class II - III rapids combined with outstanding side-hikes & fishing all under the Pacific flyway: home to every migratory bird in North America. Also, you may encounter elk, deer, bear and river otters. From two days to six days, this multiple day rafting package is most popular with the Boy Scouts of America and their whitewater and 50-miler merit badge programs. We also offer sit-on-top kayaks, inflatable kayaks along with our regular paddle boats and oar boats.
California Rafting TripsCalifornia Rafting Trips
California's diverse rivers include a myriad of rafting opportunities. From Class I to Class V, river rafters from all over the United States and the world head to California for different river experiences. W.E.T. River Trips offers the most popular rivers in the Western United States. Our listings also include our partnerships with other rafting companies throughout Southern, Northern California and other rivers throughout the western United States.
Group Rafting Trips W.E.T. River Trips suggests that most groups stay with the South Fork American or the Middle Fork American. Both runs are available to larger groups and corporate outings. These two river rafting trips offer introductory to intermediate rapids. Both rivers can be combined for multiple day packages. Corporate groups should contact our office directly for customized programs. Group offerings include corporate trips, bachelor parties, family reunions, company picnics, teen programs, bachelor parties and other types of events.
Teen Rafting Trips
W.E.T. rafting trips have so many return guests that we are now taking their children, teens and even grandchildren down the river with us! Our new teen programs allow parents to combine their vacations near the rivers with a rafting trip just for their teens. Many teens come on their birthdays along with their teen friends. The South Fork American is an ideal river for this package. Liz, our teen rafting consultant, writes stories and offers sage teen advice for teen rafters. Rafting Teens from ages 12 - 17 years old end our trips with a sense of accomplishment unmatched by other teen activities.
Family Rafting Trips
W.E.T. rafting trips have always included families. This is where the rafting education begins! Private beaches for the wilderness enthusiast offers camping for the family unmatched by any other bonding experience. We recommend the two day wilderness trips on the South Fork or Middle Fork American. Minimum ages for the family rafting trips are 8 years old in the paddle boats during regular flows or 6 years old in the oarboats. During Spring's high flows, the minimum age may be 12 years old.
Spring Whitewater Rafting Trips
During Spring's high water, our more advanced river rafting runs are geared for the experienced, aggressive rafter. A Northern California favorite is the North Fork American Chamberlain Falls run. This exciting, beautiful river is just outside of Sacramento in the foothills near Auburn. Class IV - IV+ rapids challenge the most experience rafter. Also, in the far upper reaches of California, lies a crystal clear California Salmon River. Class V rapids are interspersed with supreme scenery, excellent water quality and very difficult rapids. Watch out for Freight Train, a mile long Class V rapid! Most spring trips occur from mid-March through mid-June.
