Down a Lazy River

Down a Lazy River
Sunset Magazine Article By Christopher Tritto

turtle river rafting River rafting brings to mind white-knuckle thrill rides through adrenaline-pumping rapids. But for those more interested in a laid-back outing than a hair-raising adventure, summer floats down peaceful stretches of California rivers offer a very different experience.

This is river touring the way Huckleberry Finn would have liked it: carefree floating with plenty of time to take in the scenery and to stop for picnicking, side-canyon exploration, and even a little fishing. With gentle riffles and long, calm-water drifts instead of big rapids, this type of trip offers a quiet retreat and an opportunity to reconnect with the natural world. With rapids rated at classes 1 through 3 (class 5 is the most difficult), these trips are as suitable for young children on their first river adventure as they are for experienced rafters craving tranquil communion with nature. All you need are shorts and a long-sleeve shirt, sunblock, a wide-brimmed hat, and a willingness to sit back and go with the flow.

Flowing between low green and gold hills near the Oregon border, the uncrowded Klamath has several sections that can be enjoyed from either the roomy comfort of a big raft or the solitude of an inflatable kayak. One popular 12-mile day trip puts in at Tree of Heaven campground near Yreka. This stretch is ideal for a nature experience. From the water, the environment is seen in a wonderfully different way. Boaters are almost sure to come across groups of turtles basking on rocks in the sun and great blue herons standing quietly along the banks, as well as osprey, deer, and river otters. klamath river rafting On a hot day, a leisurely lunch in the shade is followed by a cooling dip in the water. There are frequent stops for swimming and, in late summer, picking ripe blackberries that grow in brambly thickets along the riverbanks.