White water rafting prospecting

[infotraker]

I have a chance to go white water rafting on the south fork of the American river with a experienced rafter. We want to stop numerous places and prospect. Should we launch at chili bar, camp lotus or other and take out at the salmon Falls bridge area ? Has anyone else prospecting like this ? Sounds like we may find some better gold in inaccessible areas for most people.

 

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[bedrock bubba]

That's a great idea! I know folks who cleaned up doing just that! Some just float down river on inner tubes.

 

[Aufisher]

Sounds like a dream trip!

 

[okbasspro]

Make sure your areas are open to prospecting and that they are not under claim. Just because you say its inaccessible doesn't mean no active claims. I have friends that have helicoptered gear in.

 

[Hoser John]

Chili Bar Joe made a decent living off that area for years. Charley B. was his real name but river names stick-Lots of luck-John

 

[Goldwasher]

Good spots the whole way down. More private land below Camp Lotus than above.

I have insurance to guide people on land I'm trying to set something up with a company to take people down in commercial boats.The raft companies have the permits and insurance for the river.

If you put a customer in a boat you need a river permit. To run the boat. Only existing companies can get boat permits. To start a rafting company you need Board of Supervisor approval. It's an involved process. If you take customers to BLM land you need a use permit unless its your claim or lease.

The river is no joke right now. the rafting companies have all upped their minimum age from seven to ten and twelve depending on what section you are running.There have been several rescues this season already.

I hope you aren't planning on just plopping people in someones boat and taking them down river to pan. It just isn't that simple if you want to do it right.

 

[Goldwasher]

If it is just a personal trip your best bet is probably from Chili Bar to Lotus. There are areas withdrawn I need to double check don't remember if all of the BLM is withdrawn. I'll look at the MTP later. I've got diggin and camera checkin to do today.

 

[63bkpkr]

Rafting is a great way to be where other folks generally are not. However, as indicated above you'd should know/understand the water level and where there are rapids and falls. If you are in the water with high CFS's like early season runoff and if you do not know the river/do not understand rafting and if you do not wear safety equipment (flotation device and Plastic (not foam) helmet) and have Solid Paddles then you are risking your life!.............63bkpkr

 

[infotraker]

This is a well seasoned rafter that is taking me and a friend out prospecting the river, probably launch near lotus. Not a paid trip. He wants to wait until the flow is under 5000 Csf for safety reasons.

 

[Hoser John]

Yes SAFETY FIRST as have seen folks/friend die at the rapids adjacent to the horse trails area. Wish ya luck-John. PS the river rises daily usually as they release from the dam so may be flat low and calm then watch out as up she comes and the danger increases amazingly as no set time but rafters/farmers needs + more-John

 

[63bkpkr]

Hi infotraker,
Yup the South Fork has a lot of water flowing through it all the time so 5000 cfs might be low water for that river. I use USGS Real Time Water Flow Data to look at water conditions, I'd think they would have readings for the South Fork as well as they cover the entire US. Then Google Maps to take a look at the river from above, Satellite View, should also be helpful to obtain a feel for what lies ahead of you. Planning a water trip ahead of time is important, it is a good thing that "Dry Bags" are more common to find these days as they are what will make your trip down the river a better trip, nothing like dry clothes and sleeping bag in the evening! This should be quite an Adventure, looking forward to hearing about it!..............63bkpkr

 

[Goldwasher]

Yes SAFETY FIRST as have seen folks/friend die at the rapids adjacent to the horse trails area. Wish ya luck-John. PS the river rises daily usually as they release from the dam so may be flat low and calm then watch out as up she comes and the danger increases amazingly as no set time but rafters/farmers needs + more-John

no releases yet John. It's all natural flow will be for a while first summer in years. Used to be " no water Wednesday" they wouldn't do a release at all. Best day to snipe.
Normally the releases are pre-scheduled for the season. You can get the schedule on paper even.

No schedule out yet this year.

 

[Goldwasher]

I'm a local, anyone wanting info on the south fork it's flows and good rafting companies can pm me.

 

[Hoser John]

There used to be a website with the info sponsored by the state watermaster dam by dam-on my old computer as just looked and not on this one-John

 

[Goldwasher]

Dreamflows Home Page

 

[bedrock bubba]

If it were me. and I was 20 years younger, I would set out at the Hiway 49 bridge and float down the canyon to Folsom Lake.
But I would not do it now, due to high flows and cold water. Late summer is best time to do that.

 

[infotraker]

That would be a rough ride for sure ! Unless you where really experienced .

 

[beekbuster]

dont forget a good pair of goggles and snorkle, and your crevicing tools. wish i could come too. i see a gramer in your future

 

[MadMarshall]

That would be a rough ride for sure ! Unless you where really experienced .

did you make the trip? ive found kayaking for gold to be fun the couple times i done it.. still cant eskimo roll but personally i prefer the cheap rafts over hardshell.. usually do a lazy trip every year from ruckchucky to mammoth with my folks and brother..waitin for july.
anyway the river no joke at the moment. i fell in and took a little ride on the nfa. im still froze to the bone.. the upper nfa has npt seen much of a kayaking season this year. kinda suprising comsidering the flows. pickering to mineral is a decent stretch and nothin over class 3 . most people start at euchre and go thru the gorge.. i just dont have the skills to run the gorge yet. so far ive seen some great gold from riverrats this year. and late season should be even better once the river settles down.. just be safe and get some gold.. cant say im a fan of the mfa or sfa too many people for my taste.. get some gold be safe when in doubt just dont do it.

 

[goldenmojo]

Well its different now at 6750 cfs than when the water was running 175cfs and the pickins were easy. Stay safe.