Weekly pictures and stories about whitewater rafting, challenge ropes courses, and environmental education here at the Mother Lode River Center. Please share your comments and experiences about your adventures with us here at Mother Lode!
River Trails: A New Concept on the American River
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The opening of the American River Trail in Coloma provides exciting new hiking access to over twenty miles of riverside trails along the banks of the South Fork of the American River in Coloma, California. Access to this trail for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use began officially with the opening of the trail on October 1st, 2010.
This spring, for the first time, Mother Lode River Trips will begin providing a new way to both enjoy the Trail and the exciting whitewater rapids of the American River itself. Called “River Trails” the adventure begins at the Mother Lode River Center which is located a short distance from the American River Trial’s easternmost trailhead. You will depart the River Center on a guided hike downstream of approximately 5 miles that will cover some of the Trail’s most beautiful terrain. You will stroll over rolling hills, through forested canopies of oaks, pines and cedars, and never be far from the banks of the river with its refreshing upstream breeze. At the hike’s end you will be treated to a hearty lunch and refreshing drinks delivered by gear boat to the lunch spot.
The excitement now begins to build, as the hikers witness the arrival of a line of state-of-the-art, self-bailing rafts each of which is being solo guided, canoe style, by an expert whitewater professional. Personal Floatation Devices are fitted, a safety briefing is performed, and the whitewater excitement begins as the hikers are transformed into whitewater rafters. Ahead lies the South Fork’s most popular whitewater run, the “Gorge”, which is filled with exciting Class II and III level rapids suitable for beginners and yet thrilling for all.
For those interested in a longer, overnight adventure, camping is available either in the luxurious riverside Mother Lode River Center with its tent cabins, flush toilets and hot showers, or, alternatively, wilderness camping is an option. In both cases delicious home cooked meals are provided that rival grandma’s home cooking and the friendly and knowledgeable Mother Lode guides share natural history interpretation of the flora, fauna, geology and human history of the region. Speaking of history, these trips all include gold panning instruction in the very area that attracted the 49ers and helped make California a State. With any luck you will cry Eureka too!
Remember it as “River Trails.” This river trip is found exclusively at the Mother Lode River Center, your Geotourism portal to the American River.
Family Adventure Vacations On The River
Spending time together on the river is one of the best ways to enjoy family life. I remember rafting the Grand Canyon on my honeymoon, a father/daughter bonding trip with my two teenage daughters on the Tuolumne, and the whole dang family clan enjoying the South Fork of the American River. I simply can’t remember any family times I have enjoyed more.
It isn’t that I don’t enjoy my family in other vacation venues, like Hawaii, I very much do. It’s more that all the issues that keep us apart elsewhere just melt away on a river trip. What’s for dinner and who does the dishes? Gone. What to wear? Look in that tiny little bag, silly goose. What day is it? Who cares!
I especially love the sound of the river at night, the scent of campfire smoke and the taste of s’mores, followed by sleeping under a canopy of stars. I relish waking up to the smell of breakfast cooking on the stove. Then it gets really fantastic, running whitewater rapids and watching my girls whoop and holler like they don’t have a care in the world.
Trips like these are ones to be remembered for a lifetime. They are excellent opportunities for families to just be focused on each other while experiencing fun and adventure, escaping everything else for awhile. You leave longing for the next time….
We Are Thrilled With The Snowpack
Whitewater rafting is a primarily spring and summer sport, so how does Mother Lode’s hyperactive crew get their wiggles out when it’s freezing? Skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing, of course! As all California outdoors people know, this has been a banner year for snow in the Sierras, with the deepest December snow pack in 17 years. We hope that, like our whitewater guides, you have been spending glorious weekends riding the slopes and snowshoeing in our beautiful backcountry. The fluffy white stuff is even more exciting when you consider what happens next – it melts, flows downstream and we get to ride it as whitewater rapids. Great thing, the water cycle. We are thrilled that this bountiful winter has ensured great flows on the Middle and South Forks of the American River. We can’t be sure yet about how high, early or long the wonderfully wild North Fork American will flow, since it isn’t dam-controlled, but watch for more blog posts as we monitor the Snow Survey. It looks like a great year for rafting on all three Forks.
The American River Trail Opens October 1st: “River Trails” to Follow!
by Elizabeth Long
Bright and early Saturday morning I met up with a group of other intrepid hikers signed up with the American River Conservancy at the Cronan Ranch trailhead. We were the fortunate few who were there to get a sneak preview of the new section of the American River Trail just above Folsom Lake. After 20 years, it’s finally possible to hike all the way from Greenwood Creek to Salmon Falls.
As the hike began I had another reason to be excited. Next season would be our first opportunity to offer a new way to enjoy the river canyon. We call it “River Trails”, the combination of hiking the canyon to a remote rivereside campsite with our gear carried by raft. We will camp overnight and then complete the journey the next day, either by trail or whitewater raft. The best of hiking and rafting combined!
Today though, I was out to enjoy hiking the trail without rafting. Led by the ARC’s Environmental Educator, Michael Dotson, the 12 of us started out on the 8.5 mile hike just as the sun was rising above the mountains, warming the chilly near-Fall morning, gilding the hills a golden brown.
The trail completion is a wonderful achievement which passes through a juxtaposition of varied and beautiful habitats. At Cronan Ranch, we passed through grasslands, and riparian areas. Initally, we were on Phase I of the trail, which was already being used by a variety of travelers. In addition to the boot, horse, and tire tracks, we noticed signs that deer and raccoon wee using the trail in abundance.
Michael was an excellent and informative guide. We learned about the efforts to eradicate invasive species, such as star thistle and scotch broom, and restoration projects. He pointed out native plants, live oak, blue oak and, of course, poison oak. He told us crushed buckeye was used by Native Americans to stun fish in fishing. The plant called mule-ears, with wide fuzzy leaves, was also named “miner’s toilet paper” for, well gee, I can’t say why.
At around the mid-point of the hike, we took a short side trail to a rapid on the river called Satan’s Cesspool. We sunned ourselves on the rocks and watched the river tumble by as we snacked and chatted.
It’s easy to forget how fortunate we are to have access to areas not covered by concrete and buildings. Where we can sit and listen to the thrumming of the river, like blood through our hearts, and the whisper of the breeze, like air through our lungs; areas where we can touch the rocky bones of the earth unsullied by concrete or tarmac.
After a short break, we headed out to phase II, both of the hike and the trail. This is the final section which will open to the public on October 1st. After ambling through some breathtaking oak woodland on trails that ranged from single-street wide to near deer paths, we paused just above Pine Hill Preserve.
The trail was routed around the area to protect it. Because of its unique gabbro bedrock soil, (actually, I have no idea what that means) plants grow there that are found nowhere else on earth, such as Layne’s butterweed. Imagine. No where else. We have a responsibility to the world to preserve this unique area.
Then we entered the mixed chaparral and started climbing up and down and up to the sky. Below us a turkey vulture soared. The vistas were spectacular. The air was clear. And down below, the river opened up into the vast blue expanse of Folsom Reservoir. We all paused for a photo op, grinning our fool heads off.
Then we started our descent through the chaparral, winding our way back and forth. New views would tantalizingly appear and disappear, each giving a different perspective of our surroundings.
Then, on the other side of an opposing hill, the new celebrated bridge across Acorn Creek appeared. The bridge was built to protect the creek, so hikers could get to Skunk Hollow and the parking lot above Salmon Falls. Of course we all had to stop on the bridge and watch the water flow. It was easy to imagine salmon jumping up the creek at one point in history, eager to spawn.
The entire day was a welcome break from the stress of modern life. The new section of trail is not only enjoyable, but will actually help protect the area. With the section in place, people will be less likely to forge their own trails, trampling delicate species and spreading invasive plants. By sticking to the trail, people will be helping the environment while enjoying it and learning to love it gently. This is one instance in which Robert Frost was wrong. In this case, it’s important to take the road more traveled and let the other areas rest.
Dunking Time: cleanin the PFD’s at Malode
There’s nothing like the smell of clean laundry, and at Malode this week, our PFD’s are smellin fresh and new. While our kitchens at home remain dirty as always (we are river guides afterall), this week the company lifejackets were given a deep clean here at camp. Scotty, Kyler, Mike, Austin and myself devoted a morning to the most basic and essential of tasks: cleaning the PFD’s. For those of you that may not have whitewater rafted before, PFD = Personal Floatation Device, also known as a lifejacket, and they are the most essential of gear on the rivers we run.
The life jacket has come in many forms over the years, according to Wikipedia, the first acknowledged lifejackets came about in the 185o’s, and were made of either cork or wood to provide flotation. In the nineteen twenties and thirties an inflatable PFD came about, and it was popularly known as a “Mae West,” because of the improved physique that the wearer boasted (Mae West was a popular actress with a killer figure). Today if we were to follow suit we might call the PFD an Angelina Jolie, or perhaps a Pamela Anderson. As a female guide myself, I can appreciate the figure-enhancing qualities that my PFD provides — especially when it smells like clean laundry!
Kyler and Scotty holding it together
Sierra Snowpack at 107%
So far, so good. This winter has been wet. The latest snow survey by the DWR (California Department of Water Resources), the third such survey of the season, has the current snowpack/water equivalency for the Sierras at 107% of normal. This is a huge increase from last year’s March survey, which revealed only a 80% of normal status. Electronic sensor readings show northern Sierra snow water equivalents at 126%, central Sierra at 93% and southern Sierra at 109% of normal for the date.
The DWR warns that despite the good news, it may not be enough to fully offset the effects of the last three years of drought. Reservoirs fed by the Sierra’s watersheds are still low all over the state, and dry soil conditions will absorb much of the snowpack’s water content that otherwise would help replenish the reservoirs during the spring and early summer melt. The projections for water delivery to cities and farms remain low, but if wet weather continues the SWP (State Water Project) could deliver up to 45% of requested water. DWR Director Mark Cowin stated in the report that for all these reasons plus “pumping restrictions to protect Delta fish, we must continue to conserve and protect our water resources.”
Locally, a look at the CDEC’s (California Data Exchange Center) site shows that the American River watershed’s Folsom Reservoir is currently holding about 23% below the historical average.
Still, the survey data does smile on whitewater rafting conditions for the 2010 season. With the FERC’s (Federal Energy Resource Commission) new licensing agreement for the Chili Bar Dam now firmly in place, there will be sufficient flows for rafting at least 6 days a week this season through Labor Day on the South Fork American River.
Many of us aren’t even waiting for winter to end to celebrate and take advantage of the good news. Several of the Malode Crew recently ran high-water river trips on the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Smith River. We’ve already seen the waters rise up to prime rafting levels on the North Fork American River and great high water boating conditions on the South Fork American River also during the big rains this week.
Malode Boys Ride the Elusive Middle Yuba
It’s cold and raining…again. We definitely could use the rain after these last few years of drought, but it’s hard not to long for the warm spring months ahead when the rivers run wild, and boating conditions are at their best.
We had some great runs in the spring last year outside of the American River, my favorite of which was probably our descent of the Middle Fork of the Yuba. The Middle Yuba is a tough stretch to plan for because the dam just above doesn’t schedule regular releases, so most of the time the water is too low to boat on, trickling down at a few hundred cubic feet per second (cfs). And even when the releases do happen, the flow is often still not enough for river running. However, one of the biggest spring storms brought so much water down the watershed that water spilled over dam, creating a one day window for us to hop in a raft and ride the rapids down to Oregon Creek.
When I say “a raft”, I mean a singular raft. Unfortunately, since it was such short notice and also because it was raining and flows were unpredictable, we had several last minute cancellations from the Malode crew. Suddenly, our eight person trip was down to just three of us. The flows the day before had peaked at 9000 cfs, and from what we’d gleaned from guidebooks and internet guides, the optimum flows were supposed to be between 1500 and 2500 cfs. Right before we left for the river the next day, the flow was 3000 and falling, which was perfect. Even though there were only three of us (Lindsey, Seth, and myself), we knew it might be a long time before such ideal conditions would happen again on that stretch of river. So off we went.
When we got near the put in, the gate to the dam was locked, so we parked and started feverishly changing into our river gear and pumping up the raft. We had about a half mile to carry the raft on our heads and didn’t know how fast the water level was dropping, so we were in a hurry. The river gods must have been with us that day though because just as we were about to start carrying the raft, a huge crane-truck came down the road and unlocked the gate. The driver, with his smiling, saint-like face, offered us and our raft a lift.
When we got to the dam, we asked the driver if he wanted to ditch his job for the day and come with us, but he graciously declined. Water thundered down the hundred foot wall of concrete. We hauled the raft down the slippery slope of granite and started down river.
We all took turns guiding. The first few rapids were nice warm up class III rapids, and quickly dropped into a gorge filled with larger class IV rapids with slalom routes, and sticky holes that tried to keep and surf our small raft. The the two paddlers continually had to reach way out and pull the raft out, while whoever was guiding in back would be sunk sometimes up to the waist. Lindsey was launched from his guide seat into the front and crashed into the first aid box, gashing open his chin. The rain relented at times and we relaxed during the sparse bits of slack water, enjoying the lush, deep canyon walls. We pulled over at a tributary creek and hiked up among the neon moss, saw beaver tracks and the whittled stumps of willow it had snacked on. We scouted when we could on the larger rapids and were feeling like our run couldn’t be more perfect. We successfully ran a couple large class IV+ rapids, one of which was relentless and must have been at least 3/4 of a mile long. Another required a precision route around two giant boulders while lining up to blast through three big holes along the way.
After that one, we thought we were done with largest rapids; we’d read in a guide book that there was one class V on the run and thought that was it. Imagine our surprise then when we found ourselves suddenly and furiously paddling to eddy out above a huge roar of whitewater. We nearly made an eddy on river left and were fighting the boil line for what seemed like eternity, but we were slowly losing ground and eventually rode up on a boulder. Lindsey was still holding on to a willow upstream. Seth and I lunged way out, trying to get our paddles into the eddy. We all saw the boat start to wrap against the boulder and quickly jumped on the high side. The boat slid back down and pivoted slowly into the main current of the class V rapid; we’d just have to read and run it. We squared up to two big holes and then back paddled into a channel on the right, which looked like the only clean way to go despite a near vertical chute that crashed into a churning hole. As our boat came free of the last hole, we all looked at each other for a moment in disbelief before howling with joy and piling on top of each other.
Experience El Dorado and ABC Channel 10 Go Green at MaLode
Todd Stanley Productions located here in Coloma is very busy making a name for itself as a source of excellent ideas and quality video and editing. After winning an Emmy Award for their work on the Discovery Channel’s series “The Deadliest Catch”, Todd and his wife Janice, Ben Zupo, Corey and their entire production team continue to produce new ideas.
“Experience El Dorado” is one of their latest concepts, a series appearing one Sunday a month on ABC’s Channel 10 featuring the extraordinary variety of quality experiences available in El Dorado County. Their “Green” segment featured businesses that make a point of reducing their ecological impact.
The Mother Lode River Center was a natural choice for this segment and multiple aspects were featured on the program. These included American River whitewater rafting using the ECOBus (our 100% waste vegetable oil powered shuttle vehicle), food from the permaculture garden, solar heated water, solar generated electricity, and finally our Sustainable Practices educational programs for youth and adults which use the Solar Exploratorium.
The full footage is archived on Experience El Dorado’s website. You can view Mother Lode’s segment on our home page. By the way, did you see yourself California whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River? If you did, give us call and win a prize!
Camp Store
Don’t forget that Motherlode does have a camp store! For all of you off river / on river needs and accessories.
Forget some sunscreen or chums (aka those spiffy things that keep the river gods from obtaining your sunglasses)? Need a cap to keep that sun off your youthful, beautiful face? Fret no more! At the Motherlode camp store, we shall provide!
So Next time you come to visit us, don’t forget to ask our staff about our stylish hats and T-shirts that you want to obtain and show off in front of your friends and family. They are in fact, all the rage!
Geo-Tourism Workshop at MaLode
How can we preserve the beauty of our county? How can we salvage our limping economy? How can we encourage responsible and creative stewardship of our natural resources? On July 15th, Mother Lode welcomed business owners, community planners and concerned citizens to discuss these questions in a workshop on geo-tourism. The workshop was facilitated by Peter Brumis of Geo Sierra and other experts on geo-tourism from the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce.
According to National Geographic, geo-tourism is tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and well-being of its residents. All over the world, unchecked tourism stimulates economies while overwhelming, polluting or otherwise compromising the integrity of locale after locale. Geo-tourism aims to buck this trend by incorporating stewardship of resources into the visitor’s experience. The income that tourism generates may then be re-invested into the preservation of the place and the sustenance of the community.
The workshop organizers praised Mother Lode as a prime example of a geo-tourism destination. Our vision for “healthy people, living in equitable and sustainable societies, in balance with the natural world” aligns with the principles of geo-tourism. Our sustainable practices – from our solar heating systems to our waste vegetable oil vehicles to our permaculture garden – not only reduce our guests’ environmental footprints while they are here, but also serve as models for them to replicate at home.
During the workshop, we all had a chance to brainstorm other geo-tourism assets of El Dorado County. On giant maps of the region, we pointed out our favorite wineries, swimming holes, nature centers, trails and climbing spots. The facilitators explained that we can nominate sites as geo-tourism assets to qualify them for promotion by the El Dorado Geo-Tourism Project. The project will assess the viability of each nominee, evaluating the potential benefits and drawbacks to promoting it as a tourist destination. Selected nominations will be eligible for grant money from the project.
To nominate your favorite geo-tourism destination in El Dorado County, go to geosierra.org
By: Amelia
Guide School ’09 – A Rookie’s Perspective
At the beginning of the week, some of us wouldn’t have known a wave train if it pulled into the station. Others could already j-stroke in their sleep. But all of us left guide school looking at the river differently. The dazzlingly skilled instructors let us learn a lot by keeping their mouths shut and (painful though it was) resisting the temptation to throw in strokes. The way I see it, every rock I get perched on is a rock I (probably) won’t get cozy with again. We practiced reading the water ahead of us, learning to recognize pour-overs, holes, pillows, standing waves, and – most elusive – the current. We all grew into our guide voices about as smoothly as thirteen year old boys shifting octaves. And, more importantly, we figured out how to muscle our way back into the boat after going for a little swim.
Off the water, we tested our culinary mettle on such meals as “Marinated Tri-Tip” and “The Destroyer.” We rigged and de-rigged, safety-talked and boat-on-heads-walked. And deep in the night Austin fell off a rock.
I still had a lot left to learn at the end of guide school – how to feel confident behind the stick, how to manage a crew of weaker paddlers, how not to run Double Trouble. Luckily, I’ve had plenty of time these past months and generous teachers at Ma Lode to help me work on all those things. What I did grab a hold of during that first week was a love for the river and for the folks that guide it. I don’t plan on letting go any time soon!
By: Amelia
2009 Mother Lode Guide School
Mother Lode just completed a week long guide school with 14 participants!
Mother Lode Guide school fully encompasses every detail on water and off water that a professional and competent River Guide needs to know.
For on Water, the students got to spend 5 consecutive days on the river. Day 1 & 2 consisted of learning the basics on the individual Lower Gorge and then Chili Bar sections of the river. On day 3 our trainees got to experience the the difference between a class III and IV river as they set off on the Middle Fork of the American. And day 5 & 6 the participants were put to the test with 2 days of full rivers (Both Chili Bar and Lower Gorge in one day) taking turns guiding the raft with little to no help at all from the experienced guides that had been training them all week.
On the water, techniques such as reading water, boat handling, on water safety, and attentiveness to guests needs were highly emphasized.
Off water is where a good amount of learning takes place as well. Off the water, our guides in training learn all about Preparation! Trip preparation, safety preparation, and meal preparation. They were all soon to find out that the majority of work being a professional river guide takes place off of the water.
After 5 days with the Mother Lode staff, The trainees were turned over to Sierra Rescue to complete a 2 day Swiftwater Rescue course where they were able to learn and practice various river rescue techniques and further recognize the safety needs associated with being on moving water. For more information on future guide schools with Mother Lode, Click Here.
California Academy of Sciences
Mother Lode staff recently visited the new Exhibit about Climate change in California and building green at the California Academy of Sciences.
Mother Lode River Center currently is in the process of integrating a new curriculum on Sustainable Practices. This trip to the museum was a perfect way for our staff to get better insight and more learning tools.
The Exhibit featured:
-Calculating your own carbon footprint (from what you eat to how you live your day to day life)
-The future effects of the change in climate on California (from carbon emissions)
-Examples of building green
-Techniques to harness green energy
-And too much more for myself to explain, Go see it yourself!
The California Academy of Sciences also includes a full aquarium, IMAX style Solarium, an Eco bubble that replicates Borneo and Madagascar rain forest zones, and the Living Green Rooftop!
2009 Gold Rushers!
Our Gold Rush History program has been quite an exciting one so far this summer! Schools visiting Motherlode not only get to enjoy a tour of the Coloma Gold Rush History Park, but also some fun and challenging adventures here at the Motherlode River Center.
While at the Coloma State Park, we get to experience the past come to life! Our knowledgeable staff takes you on a tour from the native Nisenan Indians homes and grinding sites to the Gold Rush, visiting Sutter’s Mill and sites like the original Chinese store! While touring around the park, we are also able to experience and learn in an actual working Blacksmiths shop, and are joined by park volunteers telling stories and reenacting the era!
Back at camp, we have had authentic activities such as shelter building, dutch oven cooking, and gold panning! We also get to experience acorn grinding on site at Motherlode’s very own authentic Grinding Rocks, created by the Nisenan thousands of years ago.
A Beautiful Day on the North Fork American River
“This is my crew. Take ten steps back.” –Beck
If you haven’t heard that song, you’re missing out on what was running through my head on the drive to the put-in.
Nina, Tony, Paul, Olivia, and Michael at Iowa Hill Bridge, the put in for the North Fork American’s “Chamberlin Falls” class 4 run.
Lindsey and Katie’s crew styling the maneuver at “Slaughter’s Sluice”, the first class 4 rapid. Nice paddling Anna, Willis, Carolina, and Daniel!
Greg’s crew avoids the notorious toaster slot and sails over the last drop at “Bogus Thunder,” one of the biggest rapids on the run.
Splashing around on Indian Creek, a tributary to the North Fork. The slippery hike up to the waterfall was definitely worth it. A little whiff of lemon balm anyone?
Feel the power of Indian Falls! Here I demonstrate the joy of getting flushed down and then out of a hydraulic. We call it helmet surfing.
Greg’s crew inspires a new rapid to be named: “Inverter Wall.” How was the full whitewater experience, gentleman?
Thanks so much for a great day on the river, everyone. Hope to see you all back up here soon.
Flip cup rematch? Horse races? (winks from Lindsey and Scotty)