Paddle with the Pros

Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25, 2008, there will be a series of kayak races and an outdoor BBQ dinner party on the beautiful South Fork of the American River, all to benefit First Descents, a kayak and outdoor experience for Young Adults with Cancer.

The "Paddle with the Pros" event will feature a boatercross race, men's and women's downriver races, a free roll clinic, a class III+ Poker Race, and an after-party with the pros featuring a dinner, video premiere and raffle. Amateur paddlers will rub shoulders with some of the true legends of the sport, including Brad Ludden, Eric Jackson, Corey Nielsen and members of the Jackson Kayak Team. Don't worry, they won't be racing — they'll just be there to wreak a little havoc on the water while the amateurs compete in class II boatercross and downriver races and a Class III+ poker race.

The event will benefit a program founded in 2001 by Ludden to empower young adult cancer survivors through kayaking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing and other outdoor activities. Additional event information and registration forms are available at Paddle with the Pros.

Can you help answer these questions?

Lately we've received a bunch of emails from folks with questions about the American River, and unfortunately we can't answer some of them. We're hoping you might be able to help. If you can answer any of these questions, please post your answer as a comment, or use our contact form to provide a private response. Thanks!!

1. From Leslie: My co-worker and I are looking into some historic information, and have come across a letter of one of her relatives by the name of A.D. Smead who is describing a time in 1849 where he and others in his party came over the Sierra Nevadas to Old Weavertown then down to Shingle Springs were they left the road and went to Moccasin river where they first mined for gold with rockers hollowed out of round logs. We are interested in finding out more about the Moccasin River and if it has changed names, and about Old Weavertown and where it was located.


2. From Craig: Is there any shuttle service available for the South Fork these days?


3. From Rich: I was wondering if someone could tell me if there is public boat or kayak access to the Chili Bar Reservoir below the White Rock Powerhouse?


4. From Fentress: Your website mentions that there are more deaths on the "Lower American" than on the 3 forks. Can you provide me with the number of deaths occurring in past years on each fork and on the Lower American? Alternatively or conjunctively, can you refer me to any agencies (name and telephone number) who keep records on the number of deaths?
   
   Similarly, I'd like to know about injuries common to going down each of the forks. I wanted to know if any records are kept regarding various types and frequencies of injury. I was also wondering the differences in kayaking, canoeing, and rafting with respect to deaths and injuries. Which is safest and, conversely, least safe? Are any records kept regarding this?

Thanks to Betty Sederquist for letting us use her picture of poppies on the South Fork of the American.

Great resource for hikers

We recently discovered Russell Towle's blog, North Fork of the American River, "Accounts of explorations in the Great American Canyon, Placer County's Yosemite." As Russell says,

It is my philosophy that the old trails of the North Fork need to be known, not unknown. The North Fork of the American River--its wildness, its beautiful scenery, its historic trails and mining ditches and prehistoric sites--deserves every kind of protection and preservation. But this protection and preservation is hardly possible if no one knows the great canyon, and its great old trails.

Russell has done his part. In over 100 posts over several years, he tells stories of his hikes in the North Fork canyons. He talks of wildlife, goemorphology, trails, and conservation politics. Interspersed with the stories are maps and trail logistics. Highly recommended!