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Tributary Whitewater Tours |
800-672-3846 |
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| Section |
Burnt Ranch Gorge |
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Location |
Trinity County near Burnt
Ranch, northern California |
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Driving Time |
Eureka—1.5 hours,
Sacramento—5 hours |
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Difficulty |
Class IV-V; Class IV
rafting experience required |
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Trip Length |
9 miles (14 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle raft, oar raft; one
day |
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Season |
April-June |
The most spectacular
stretch of the Trinity River, near the tiny town of Burnt Ranch, is
known as the Burnt Ranch Gorge. First run commercially 1983, many
professional outfitters had previously considered this Class IV-V
section unrunnable. Today, with self-bailing paddle rafts and more
experienced guides, outfitters regularly schedule trips through the
highly technical waters of the nearly 2,000-foot deep Gorge.
Whitewater
experts rate the 9-mile (14 km) Burnt Ranch Gorge as one of
California's most challenging commercial rafting trips. Five Class
IV-IV+ rapids within the first 2.5-miles (4 km) are a necessary
prerequisite to the seven Class V-V+ rapids—Upper, Middle, and
Lower Burnt Ranch falls, Hennessy Falls, Origami, Table Rock, and
Gray Falls.
Water
releases from the Lewiston Dam provide some of the very best
summer-season Class V rafting in the state. As on the Class V
rivers, only experienced and physically fit rafters are permitted on
the Trinity's Burnt Ranch Gorge whitewater trip.
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