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Cascading down the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mouintains in Gold country, flows the scenic American River. Just a short drive east of Sacramento or west of Tahoe, the South Fork offers over 30 exhilarating rapids and a great deal of fun and enjoyment. Back in the early 90’s we tried rafting here for a weekend together with some friends. |
 Satans Cesspool, iiiha! The South fork of the American River is a delightful mixture of class 2, 3 and 4 whitewater rapids and outstanding scenery of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The water flow on the American is controlled by hydroelectric demand which accounts for the ebb and flow of the river. The length of the gorge section is 6,5 km. Total length of the run is 31,8 km. The average gradient is 6 m. per km.
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The different parts of river are given names. Examples are Hospital Bar, Race Horse Bend, Satan’s Cesspool, Meatgrinder, Chili Bar, Triple Threat and Troublemaker.
One rapid was named Big Dog because a woman wearing shorts with the brand Big Dog, fell of the raft and got stuck with her shorts on a branch sticking up in the rapid. Inspite the strong current, the Big Dog shorts could stand the pressure and she could be picked up safe and sound.