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Whitewater Rafting on the Merced River
Saturday, May 19th, 2007May and June are prime whitewater rafting months on the Merced River. Just beyond El Portal on State Route 140 to Bagby is some of the best whitewater rafting in California.
For much of the way, the river follows the old Yosemite railroad bed, passing abandoned gold mines and water flumes. The trip can be rafted in any of five ways… two-day overnight trips that cover 26 miles of whitewater, one-day trips that travel 16 miles and half-day trips of approximate 11 miles each down the upper and lower sections of the river, and a low-water trip near Yosemite Valley.
Merced river trips include the famed “Quarter Mile Rapid”- over 500 yards of exceptional white water. Just below this intense section is a 20-foot waterfall which requires portage (lining or carrying the rafts) around the obstacle. Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions is the largest operator of whitewater tours on the Merced, though six rafting companies operate rafting tours, including one in Yosemite Valley. For more information, visit www.homeofyosemite.com.