American, South Fork

Golden Gate of the South Fork of the American River is a one day run composed of miles upon miles of steep boulder gardens of the finest quality.
Five larger rapids are in the mix with no mandatory portages. (Several of the five rapids of note are often portaged.)
This section is considered a step-up for Sierra boating and going with a regular is advised as woody debris and levels are fickle.

The Golden Gate section runs during the late winter and spring.

To be satisfying for the Class V boater Golden Gate needs adequate flows with 1000 generally considered near optimal.

Whats in a name? The name Golden Gate has little to do with the character of the run other than the steepness.
Golden Gate is an ironic reference to an early prediction that the section was unrunnable.
Charles Martin wrote in the 1974 'Sierra Whitewater' guidebook, 'This run would be a novel substitute for jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.'
While Charles was no slouch he could not predict the development of 2025 designs, plastic boats and sky jumping/boofing techniques.
(Remember, his world was wool and fiberglass, flat, long boats bro ... )

Getting There: Take Highway 50 from Sacramento or Placerville and go East to Pollock Pines.

Take out: In Pollock Pines take the Sly Park exit and go North.
At Pony Express Trail turn left, then immediately turn right onto Forebay Road.
Follow Forebay Road all the way to a bridge over the South Fork of the American River or about 8 miles.
There appears to be easy river access on the north side of the river just downstream of the bridge.

Put in: Continue on Highway 50 past Pollock Pines a few miles to Pacific House and turn North.
Head right on Peavine Ridge Road. It turns to dirt and leads to a bridge across the river.
Alternatively, continue on Highway 50 till it is close enough to the river

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