Cherry Creek Rafting Trips

Sample Itinerary

EVENING BEFORE

• Meet early evening, outside Groveland
• Agenda: Instruction, demonstrations, appetizers, wetsuit fitting and distribution

MORNING OF THE TRIP

• Meet early morning, outside Groveland
• Shuttle
• Quick breakfast, instruction
• Class IV rapids, swim practice
• Class IV-V+ rapids, snacks
• Class IV-V+ rapids
• Take-out, late celebration lunch
• Shuttle, trip ends mid-afternoon

This trip meets the night before for Class V instruction and to review several important details of the following day. The next morning starts very early. After a quick breakfast at put-in, you'll jump into your boat and take on several Class IV rapids right out of the gate. Then we'll stop to test our swimming skills in a Class II rapid before we venture into the Class V section of the river.

Class V Corkscrew and Jawbone rapids are our first challenge, then we tackle the staircase drops and boulders of Class V+ Mushroom Rapid. Just when you think you've seen the ultimate in Class V rafting, along comes Miracle Mile--a mile-long succession of Class V rapids. After Class V+ Lewis' Leap, you'll help portage the boats around two waterfalls. Three Class IV rapids will speed us to our take-out, where you'll enjoy a well-earned late lunch.

The itinerary above may be altered due to a range of variables, including river flow levels, water release schedules, time of year, and other factors. Contact us if you have any questions.

Sample Itinerary

EVENING BEFORE

• Meet early evening, outside Groveland
• Agenda: Instruction, demonstrations, appetizers, wetsuit fitting and distribution

DAY ONE

• Meet early morning, outside Groveland
• Shuttle
• Quick breakfast, instruction
• Class IV rapids, swim practice
• Class IV-V+ rapids, snacks
• Class IV-V+ rapids
• Riverside lunch
• Class IV rapids
• Set up camp
• Optional side hike and/or relax
• Dinner, campfire (fire season permitting), dessert, revelry!
• Fall asleep under the stars

DAY TWO

• Coffee, breakfast, relax
• Break camp, load gear rafts
• Class IV+ Clavey Rapid
• Class II-III rapids
• Riverside lunch
• Class IV rapids
• Take-out at Lake Don Pedro, shuttle
• Trip ends late afternoon

This trip meets the night before for Class V instruction and to review several important details of the following day. The next morning starts early with Class IV rapids right out of the gate, followed by a swim test in a Class II rapid before entering the heart of the Class V section. You’ll take on Corkscrew and Jawbone, then navigate the steep drops of Class V+ Mushroom Rapid. After Miracle Mile’s nonstop whitewater and the powerful Lewis’ Leap, we portage around two waterfalls. We’ll stop for a well-deserved lunch during the Class IV stretch and continue down the Tuolumne canyon to join with the Tuolumne overnight trip. While your guides prepare dinner, you can relax in the shade, fish, go for a hike, or take a nap—whatever suits your mood. After an enjoyable meal, you'll spend the night nestled in the beauty of the Tuolumne Canyon.

The next morning, you'll awaken to freshly brewed coffee and a hearty meal. Another day of whitewater brings more challenges and thrills. You'll experience the intensity of Class IV+ Clavey Falls before floating through a quieter Class II-III section of the river. But it's not long before the Class IV action returns with rapids like Grey's Grindstone, Cabin, and Hell's Kitchen. We take out on the quiet waters of Lake Don Pedro.

The itinerary above may be altered due to a range of variables, including river flow levels, water release schedules, time of year, and other factors. Contact us if you have any questions.

Sample Itinerary

EVENING BEFORE

• Meet early evening, outside Groveland
• Agenda: Instruction, demonstrations, appetizers, wetsuit fitting and distribution

DAY ONE

• Meet early morning, outside Groveland
• Shuttle
• Quick breakfast, instruction
• Class IV rapids, swim practice
• Class IV-V+ rapids, snacks
• Class IV-V+ rapids
• Riverside lunch
• Class IV rapids
• Set up camp
• Optional side hike and/or relax
• Dinner, campfire (fire season permitting), dessert, revelry!
• Fall asleep under the stars

DAY TWO

• Coffee, breakfast, relax
• Break camp, load gear rafts
• Class IV+ Clavey Rapid
• Class II-III rapids
• Riverside lunch
• Class IV rapids
• Set up camp
• Optional side hike and/or relax
• Dinner, campfire (fire season permitting), dessert, revelry!
• Fall asleep under the stars

DAY THREE

• Coffee, breakfast
• Relax, optional hike
• Break camp, load gear rafts
• Riverside lunch
• Class III rapids
• Take-out at Lake Don Pedro, shuttle
• Trip ends late afternoon

The evening before your trip, you'll meet your guides for a detailed Class V orientation and a look ahead at the adventure to come. The next morning kicks off with early Class IV warm-ups, a quick swim test, and then the Cherry Creek main event: a gauntlet of steep, technical rapids including Corkscrew, Mushroom, Miracle Mile, and Lewis’ Leap. After portaging two waterfalls, we break for lunch and continue into the Tuolumne Canyon to meet up with the 3-day Tuolumne trip.

The pace slows just enough to take it all in. With two nights of camping and plenty of time to explore, you’ll experience the Tuolumne’s quieter side—its hidden waterfalls, granite pools, and swimming holes that shorter trips often pass by. After your first day on the Tuolumne, we camp at the confluence with the Clavey River, where you can slide down smooth granite, float in a natural pool, or just kick back until dinner.

Day two begins with the powerful Class IV+ Clavey Falls, then brings on a long, lively stretch of Class IV whitewater. That night we camp near the North Fork, surrounded by forest and white sand beaches. On day three, the river eases up, offering a fun Class III finish and a chance to reflect before reaching Lake Don Pedro.

The itinerary above may be altered due to a range of variables, including river flow levels, water release schedules, time of year, and other factors. Contact us if you have any questions.