Slammin’ Salmon Memorial Day River Festival

A big drop on the Slammin Salmon

The Cal Salmon is a remote Class IV-V river with a short season – and that season is now! Memorial Day is a huge festival weekend on the Cal Salmon when the campgrounds fill up and rafters and kayakers come from all over to run rapids called Freight Train, Last Chance, Airplane, and Cascade Falls. If you’ve run some Class III waters (like the Upper Sacramento) and found yourself yearning for greater thrills then sign up quick for the Cal Salmon. The Nordheimer and Butler runs will challenge paddlers as the river twists down deep granite gorges of the Marble and Salmon Mountains. If the river is running high and fast, you might even get lucky enough to have your guide take you to the confluence with the Klamath River and a monster rapid called Big Ikes.

The rafting is challenging on any section and once you get off the water you’ll be camping with your rafting company, which means they’ll be preparing your meals. You’ll be camping in a remote setting where the campground provides running water and vault toilets, but little else. It’s a car-camping situation, so bring what you need to be comfortable. Also keep in mind that there is thriving poison oak in the campground and along the river.

Paddling the Cal Salmon is a stunning way to spend the day: the rapids will test your skills and nerve, the beauty of the canyon will delight your senses and the camaraderie shared with your boatmates adds a special twist to the day.

Cascade Falls on the Cal Salmon

River Dancers and Turtle River Rafting are Siskiyou County guide companies that run the Cal Salmon. Check their website for more info and give them a call if you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure this Memorial Day weekend. Turtle River has their annual Memorial Day Festival planned for May 28th-31st that includes music and story-telling around the campfire after days spent in serious whitewater.

Spring in Siskiyou County is on it’s Way!

As days grow longer thoughts are turning to water and the upcoming rafting season. Should be a good one as El Nino conditions continue to prevail. The water content of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range snowpack is well above normal. Anticipate exciting spring whitewater and strong flows throughout the summer.

If you’ve been putting way too many hours on the job and need to clear your mental desktop…. try something wild for a change. Learn the ropes of running whitewater rapids and captaining a raft.