North Fork American - W.E.T. River Trips Class 4 to 4+ White Water Rafting

Whitewater Trips

North Fork American River is a Class IV+ whitewater rafting trip located in central northern California. NOFO is ideal for the athletic, experienced white water paddler. Minimum age is 16 years. Calendar info click here: North Fork American Calendar

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North Fork American River - Description - About the North Fork American

American River Whitewater Trips

Spring Rafting on the North Fork American

Wonderful California rafting trips on the North Fork American River are close to major metropolitan areas such as Sacramento and San Francisco. I became a full-fledged whitewater rafting enthusiast after this one! Something about that incredible clear and clean water that beckons. The smooth rocks are polished by a gazillion years of water rushing over it. I love this river.

We do not recommend beginners on this river rafting run. Buy Now!

North Fork American ain't easy...

Class 4+ rapids have provided combinations of emotions that are part of this trip. Excitement, challenge and fear and yet, I do this every year and drag my friends along, too. Majority of the time, we have had uneventful trips... smooth entrance and exit out of the major Class 4 rapids; and yet, we always know that this river can flip or wrap your raft anytime the paddlers are slow in response or if the line taken isn't just right. Even the best guides have flipped, wrapped on this whitewater trip. Thank god for the safety kayakers that float with us; they are awesome in keeping a secure sense if someone does fall out into the river.

Rafting encourages teamwork for team-building

We've all done many river rafting trips throughout California, but this one seems to be our favorite. Like the rivers in the far northern reaches of California, the rapids are challenging and exciting. Technical moves are demanding as rafters reflect their accomplishments every time a rapid is successfully negotiated. It's an awesome feeling of teamwork when your raft, full of your friends or colleagues, makes it through the white water successfully. Group trips for athletic experienced users only. Please evaluate your group before doing this whitewater trip.

White Water Rafting for Athletic Paddlers

We've all done many river rafting trips throughout California, but this one seems to be our favorite. Like the rivers in the far northern reaches of California, the rapids are challenging and exciting. Technical moves are demanding as rafters reflect their accomplishments every time a rapid is successfully negotiated. It's an awesome feeling of teamwork when your raft, full of your friends or colleagues, makes it through the white water successfully. You can purchase your group trip online at super discounts just visit our online rafting store.

North Fork Rafting Season and Spring Gear

The North Fork American is a Class IV+ river that flows usually from mid-March through mid-June. This year in 2010, we are looking a great flows throughout June! As a commercially run rafting trip, WET River Trips provides safety kayakers and/or safety raft on the NoFo trips. They provide an added measure of safety in case someone does fall out of the raft. The kayakers corral and provide confidence to a hapless swimmer knowing they will be soon be pulled back into the boats.

Ingress Point near Auburn, California

When you see the ingress point, you are met with a feeling of total isolation and beauty. An old bridge spans the canyon emphasizing the towering walls above. From the bridge, a glimpse of the whitewater below teases the paddler. Once on the rafts, the flow quickly takes you into a magical scene of smooth, polished SUV-sized boulders. The water cascades clean and clear. This is the snowmelt. Rushing waters roar in your ears as the upcoming set of Class IV rapids approach. This is true whitewater rapids.

White Water Rafting Guides

Guides demeanor change from silliness to utmost seriousness as the rapids approach. Dig hard with that paddle as the guides shout out commands. Forward and back paddle... quick turns and stops... this is whitewater rapids at its best! No large pools of water after the rapids as in other forks of the American River. One rapid right after another provides a heart pumping adrenaline rush for the Class 4 paddler. The best guides on our staff are on the North Fork American. Sometimes even trainees and staff are in the raft, too, as we all beg to join on this river trip.

Safety Recommendations and Resources

Rivers change from year to year. This year, you should come out for the best white water we have seen in years! Past paddlers found Chamberlain Falls Rapid and Bogus Thunder Rapid the more difficult to negotiate. A difficult turn and entrance challenges the most experienced paddler. Other rapids such as Entrance Exam Rapid and Staircase Rapid are difficult Class IV's.

More North Fork American River information can also be found on California Whitewater Rafting site C-W-R.com, creeking and kayaking site CaCreeks. All have photos and descriptions of this incredible river.

This river hears your heart. The river gods know when you take it lightly. And that's when the hard lessons are learned. Come with a healthy and respectful attitude.

Respect all rivers. The North Fork demands it. For those of you with prior experience on Class 3 to 4 whitewater river trips; you should challenge this one.

W.E.T. provides a regular staff of safety kayakers on every North Fork American trip. The kayakers are Class V paddlers with many miles of safety kayaking experience. Added safety measures enhance this river trip and gives you, the paddler, the best and safest experience. That's Drew in the picture soaking up the sun. He is our senior member on staff. His kayak crew is the best in the country and provides our kayak safety on the NOFO.