Awww the American river. Loud, rambunctious and fun-loving partiers aplenty on summer weekends and holidays. At peak activity you can walk the 100 yards width of the river for the number of rubber, vinyl, wood, and assorted floating craft. This river is one of my favorite thrills, not only for the wild ones but also for the more low key features. If you want to see the river by raft, the best place is River Rat Raft and Bike Company. Its nice to see they are supporters of the Save the American River Association and the American River Conservancy. Other good American River preservation organizations include http://arnha.org/ and www.americanriverwildlife.com.
The kayaking run of the lower American River is best not judged in terms of dangerous, adrenalin pumping brush-with-death excitement. It is mostly slow and lazy, which is fantastic for observing a wealth of river wildlife and habitat (including those shown below). The American River hosts large nesting areas for the the large Great Heron and Egret and as well as habitat to an incredible variety of other wildlife. You can get a good idea of the diversity of the American River habitat at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center at Ancil Hoffman park. EYNC is an excellent information source with knowledgeable volunteers and a great selection of literature. You may learn why this sometimes lazy, sometimes swift ride through this world by water is a favorite thrill I’ll never tire of.
Kayaking at sunset can be incredible.
One of the areas popular yearly events is Eppies Great Race triathlon which includes a kayaking leg on the American River.
“River Bungee Boarding” is also enjoyed in this area of the American River. This sport involves various adaptations of tying rope or bungee to sturdy tree trunk or stationary object upstream from a swift deep river channel. The other end is attached to a skim board. The rider can spend extended periods of time below the water surfing the current. The rider can typically launch himself out of the water from the power of the current and surf the current indefinitely. I was amazed the first time I saw this.
The cycling, hiking and horse trails that follow the American River for over 30 miles from Folsom to CSUS are well maintained and scenic with extraordinary views of wildlife and the river.
The following is a small sampling of the abundant wildlife spotted regularly upon the American. Its a bird watchers paradise. The concentrated nesting areas of egrets and herons along the American sustain a thriving local population.
The Osprey are active fisherman along the American.
We really love the Crested Black Phoebe. We live close enough to the river that they nest in our backyard.
This pic of a great blue heron in the wind shows the majesty of this graceful large water bird.
The American River Parkway is a protected area for an abundant populations of Mule Deer, Canadian Geese Wild Turkey. Its always a pleasure to pause and watch the turkeys fly to the top of the valley oaks in the evening. An excellent golf course (Ancil Hoffman) sits in the middle of the parkway and has an incredible number of deer, turkey, geese and other wildlife to be enjoyed while playing a round. Northern California golf will be the subject of a future FAVTHRILL blog.
This satellite image shows how close Ancil Hoffman golf course is to the American River and why so much wildlife call it home. This is an excellent stretch of the river btw.
The American River has a good yearly salmon run that provides a fall feast for numerous bird and wildlife. Stripers, shad and trout also thrive. If you’re into fly fishing, here is a Fly Fisherman Magazine article specifically on the lower American River.
The Nimbus fish hatchery is amazing to visit when the salmon are climbing the ladders and is also the home of the American River’s yearly Salmon festival… check it out in the fall, the kids will love it.
I would be remiss if I didn’t add a couple of remarks about habitat preservation. If you enjoy a fantastic area like the American River, please don’t bring glass and pack out what you bring in. Hopefully our children’s children can enjoy the same wonders we can today. I am sometimes accused of being too upbeat and positive so I will leave you with a less then positive reminder of how we can easily ruin what we should treasure. Enjoy, but help preserve the habitat..
If you want, Let me know of your thrill, how you find peace in the day, what’s your favorite river? till next time
