Rafting the Cherry Creek
World-renowned Cherry Creek, a white water river often described as ‘the Mount Everest of rafting’, is probably the most relentless and challenging stretch of white water regularly rafted in North America.
Located in the Stanislaus National Forest, the river’s 15 Class V white water rapids are generated by the canyon’s steep gradient: the river drops more than 20 vertical metres per kilometre through nearly continuous class IV+, V, and V+ rapids and waterfalls.
The run comprises almost 2km of rapids in Cherry Creek itself and a technically challenging and physically exhausting 12km of the Upper Tuolumne. Narrow and steep, the river is often choked with huge boulders.
Be prepared for holes, falls and ledges, all surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The Tuolumne, a National Wild and Scenic River, is west of Yosemite National Park and just three hours from San Francisco.
River class Class IV+
Boat type Paddle rafts and oar rafts
Rating and length Extremely demanding with previous class V paddle rafting experience a requirement; 14km
Time frame From one to three days
Gradient 20m per km
Elevation 678m
Accommodation Mix of lodges and riverside camping available
Best time to raft Cherry Creek
Usually from July to September after the springtime snow melt; average temperature 21˚C with a daytime high of 27˚C
Other activities – Kayaking, mountain biking and hiking
Top attractions nearby
Yosemite National Park – One of the first wilderness parks in the United States, Yosemite is best known for its waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows and ancient giant sequoia trees. Within its 3108km², the park supports more than 250 species of vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Spot black bears, bobcats, gray foxes, mountain king snakes, as well as a range of bird life including the Steller's jay, hermit thrush and the northern goshawk.
Columbia State Historic Park – Explore this historic landmark – a preserved, working California Gold Rush mining town. Stroll down the main street past people in period costumes, browse a handmade candy store or antique stores, peek inside a Daguerreotype studio, watch gold panning, enjoy a cool drink in a western saloon and take an authentic stagecoach ride.
Railtown State Historic Park (Jamestown) – Discover one of America’s last intact, still-operating railroad roundhouses. Known as The Movie Railroad, Railtown 1897, its historic locomotives and cars have starred in hundreds of film and TV productions, including High Noon, Back to the Future 3 and Petticoat Junction.
Sonora Pass (Highway 108) – Drive through one of oldest of the trans-Sierra emigrant trails to California, a spectacular 2900m-high pass crossing the range, first crossed on 18 October 1841. |