American, South Fork

A beautiful day for an autumn trip on the South Fork American.

The community gathered to celebrate the life of Chris Tulley on the South Fork American. The day began with a light rain before the sun came out and we all had a chance to remember Chris with a beautfiul day on the water.

Chart of Minimum Recreational Flow for South Fork American River below Chili Bar Dam by Water Year Type, Duration, and Flow in cfs

In 2008 there was a non fatal foot entrapment here. In 2009 a raft passenger drowned at the same location. About 75 yards below Troublemaker, the main current goes to the left of a midstream island. Some current goes to the right between the island and a high boulder further right. Several submerged boulders form hydraulics in between. One of those boulders has a crack that can trap a foot. Photos give an overview of the location and close up views. Active swimming or floating with feet at the surface would seem to eliminate the danger of entrapment at this spot. However, a confused or tired swimmer could easily let their feet drop down into a danger zone. The small hole just upstream could also cause a floaters legs to drop down if they do not tuck up.

Mostly photos of rafts on Sunday and Monday.

Evan demonstrates short boat techniques, while Jeremy looks on from shore.
Maya is a small rapid famous for its wonderful surfing wave. This group of boaters enjoy some early morning fun, before the main crowds arrive.
Jeremy leads the pack through Meatgrinder, the longest and 2nd hardest rapid in the Chili Bar section. He is in the steepest part of the rapid. The end is just below, out of this picture.
This is the first half of Meatgrinder. There are numerous small holes in here and lots of maneuvering required. You can't tell from this picture, but halfway down the rapid, it suddenly drops more steeply.

The old railroad grade is visible up on the right bank. The level path makes a convenient portage trail for boaters not ready to tackle this long and difficult of a rapid.
This impressively large log is just across the river and downstream of Chili Bar.
Jeff enjoying an early morning surf at Maya, before the crowds arrive.
Looking upstream at Troublemaker from river right. There is a nice rock slab here. It is a popular spot to lay about and watch the excitement as boaters come through the rapid.
Looking upstream at Troublemaker run out from river left.
Looking from river left just downstream of Troublemaker rapid. A swimmer experienced a foot entrapment in this area, in August of 2008. The entrapment was reported to be on barely submerged rocks midstream river right. The spot may be in this picture or further to the right. The victim was successfully rescued by the teamwork of a variety of boaters who were in the vicinity.

A first person account is at: http://forums.boof.com/showthread.php?t=5215

A small pod of kayakers wait their turn in 1st Threat hole. There would be many, many more boaters during the summer time.
In the summer this launching area is packed with cars, people, rafts and kayaks. Early on a cool November morning it seems deserted. More groups showed up as the morning progressed. There is as fee to launch here.
Larry was concerned about this rapid and took awhile to scout. Then he proceeded to paddle with finesse and aplomb. Unlike the photographer who spent considerable time upside down.

Sean's first run of this Class III+/IV, and perfectly done too.

Brandon playing in Chili Bar Hole.
Daniel surfing and doing a 360 in 1st Threat, on one hot day in California.
Brandon tearing it up on Maya Wave.
Rick followed down by Brandon, picking their way through Trouble Maker, class IV- on the Chili Bar section of the SF American.
Rick playing at the first hole on the Chili Bar Run.
Daniel surfing on a really hot day on the Maya wave.
Rick surfing on a really hot day on 1st Threat.
Evan getting a great surf at the Maya Wave.
Brandon showing us how it's done.
Rick suring on a hot day in Maya Wave.
Brandon tearing up the wave.

Nailing the edge of the hole and running the
clean side of gunsight rock. First time down
in rubber, and he aces it!

at 30 seconds there is a good trashing

Photo courtesy of and copyright by Julie Keller.