American River, South Fork - The Gorge

See access description here.

After paddling the last of the flat water your take out is on the right near the bridge.  Plenty of parking, restrooms and day use fees.

The river makes a right hand turn and a minor rapid is formed near an island.  Most of the flow is in the right channel.

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This ends most of the flat water sections that lead up to here.  This is also where the true "gorge" part of this run starts.  A small zig zag in the river near very large rocks (Fowler's rock) takes you left and then right.

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A long straight section of waves.  Fun read and run rapid

River starts to drop here creating some nice waves.  This rapid leads you into Satan's Cesspool which is just below.

This rapid is the best candidate for the crux on the gorge section.  A large hole forms here. The river cuts right through some bedrock.  At higher flows a sneak option exists on river right.  Paddle hard and punch the hole for smaller craft.  Rafts better make sure to square up and hit the hole straight on.

A short pool separates this rapid from Satan's Cesspool above.  At higher flows, those unfortuneate swimmers from above here will probably get flished into this rapid.  Most of the current piles up on the right hand bank but boaters can generally pull away from it when needed.

A read and run class III as the river turns left heading into lower haystack canyon.

Another straight shot of fun waves.

A large hole on the right with sneak options on the left.

More waves and possible holes as the river continues to turn right.

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A rocky section leads into a left facing diagnol hole.  The farther right you are on the hole the bigger and more retentive it gets.

Another hole here.  Paddle and punch through it.

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This rapid is only around on low reservoir years.  A funnel constriction on the river as the river bends left.

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