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Mariah Wilderness Expeditions
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800-462-7424
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510-233-2303
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One & two day trips, charters, specialty & family trips w/ storyteller, winetasting & rafting.
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Ahwahnee Whitewater Expeditions |
800-359-9790 |
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All-Outdoors Adventure Trips |
800-247-2387 |
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ARTA River Trips |
800-323-2782 |
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Tributary Whitewater Tours |
800-672-3846 |
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Whitewater Voyages |
800-488-7238 |
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Zephyr River Expeditions |
800-431-3636 |
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O.A.R.S. |
800-346-6277 |
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Whitewater Excitement |
800-750-2386 |
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| Sections |
Cranberry Gulch to McCabe
Flat (upper); McCabe Flat to Bagby (lower) |
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Location |
Mariposa County near El
Portal, central California |
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Driving Time |
San Francisco—4 hours |
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Difficulty |
Class III-IV; rafting
experience recommended during spring high water |
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Trip Length |
Upper—15 miles (24 km);
Lower—9 miles (14 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle raft, oar raft; one
and two days |
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Season |
April-July |
 Just west of Yosemite
National Park's Arch Rock entrance, the Merced River begins a
spectacular Class III-IV whitewater journey through a non-glaciated
V-shaped canyon alongside California's Route 140. This is in sharp
contrast to tranquil section of the Merced River seen by the
millions of people who visit the park's valley floor each year.
Merced Canyon was added to the National Wild and Scenic River system
in 1987. For part of its course, the river follows the old Yosemite
railroad bed, passing abandoned gold mines and water flumes.
The
Merced is one of the Sierra's more popular springtime whitewater
rivers for experienced rafters. During the high water typical of May
and early June, the Merced has exceptional Class III-IV rapids
created by a river gradient dropping at rates of up to 70 feet per
mile. Although less intense during late June and July, the Merced is
still an exciting trip for both experienced and first-time rafters.
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