> Cherry Creek (Upper Tuolumne)

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Unique Scenery slideshow/gallery/album1/large/che2.jpg You'll fall in love with the Canyon's rugged hills, granite boulders, and crystalline water Not for the Weak of Heart slideshow/gallery/album1/large/che3.jpg Each guest who rafts Cherry Creek should be athletic, adventurous, and a good swimmer Oar-paddle Rafts slideshow/gallery/album1/large/che4.jpg On Cherry Creek, the guide steers the raft with large oars while each guest has a paddle Class V Paddling slideshow/gallery/album1/large/che5.jpg Steep, narrow passageways will put your paddling skills to the ultimate test You Don't Have to Travel Far... slideshow/gallery/album1/large/che6.jpg Cherry Creek is 3.5 hours from the SF Bay Area and only 40 minutes from Yosemite Technical River slideshow/gallery/album1/large/che7.jpg Huge granite boulders choke the river and will test your paddling skills Heart-pumping Fun slideshow/gallery/album1/large/che8.jpg Big drops, fast water, and pure adrenaline are the theme of a Cherry Creek trip It's Pretty Steep! slideshow/gallery/album1/large/che9.jpg The steep gradient on Cherry Creek drops more than 100 vertical feet per mile Advanced Class V slideshow/gallery/album1/large/che10.jpg Cherry Creek is the most advanced whitewater in California, let alone the United States! Private Trip slideshow/gallery/album1/large/che11.jpg Since only two outfitters run Cherry Creek, your group will likely be the only one on the water

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The most advanced commercially run river in California. Season: mid-July - Sept 3. Cherry Creek FAQ Difficulty & Scenery Advanced Class V 8-foot drop, huge whitewater Sculptured granite boulders Who Should Go Those with previous whitewater/sport experience Adventure seekers Usual min. age: 17 Trips Include Pro guide & instruction Equipment & shuttle Fresh, delicious meals Intensive Class V orientation Location Select a Cherry Creek Trip Option 1 Day Trips start at $295 Multiday Tuolumne / Cherry Creek Combo Trips start at $659 Complete Price List Fresh Guest Feedback

MORE ABOUT CHERRY CREEK:

THE RAPIDS: The most advanced whitewater in California; Class V

Some say Cherry Creek isn’t the most difficult run in California. They say it’s the most difficult in the entire United States! The river’s 15 Class V whitewater rapids are generated by the canyon’s steep gradient—the river drops more than 100 vertical feet per mile. Narrow and steep, the river is often choked with huge boulders. When you reach the bottom of a Cherry Creek rapid you’ll look back upstream exhilarated, and wish you could hike back up and do it again.

USUAL MINIMUM AGE: 17 years old

THE RIVER SCENERY: Huge granite boulders and surging whitewater

You’ll come for the whitewater, but you’ll fall in love in with the canyon’s beautifully-rugged hills, timeless oaks, and crystalline water rushing past sculptured granite boulders. Because only two outfitters run Cherry Creek, few get to paddle this stunning stretch of the Tuolumne; your group will likely be the only one on the water. This exclusivity means Cherry Creek trips offer nearly private access to a remarkable and isolated canyon.

RIVER LOCATION: 3.5 hours from San Francisco, 40 minutes from Yosemite

Just two and half-hours from Sacramento and only three hours from San Francisco, Cherry Creek is close to many metropolitan areas. Highways 140, 120, and 49 are in close proximity.

THE RAFTING SEASON: mid-July to September 3

Cherry Creek is a dam-controlled stretch of the Tuolumne River and becomes raftable at lower flows, after the springtime snow melt. Trips therefore usually begin in mid-summer.

MEALS: Freshly prepared riverside feasts

Every All-Outdoors trip includes delicious riverside meals. On Cherry Creek, our gourmet “build-your-own” sandwich bar includes all the fixings needed to make the perfect deli sandwich. Hors d’oeuvres of chips and salsa, and juicy summer fruits complete your lunch. We also provide breakfast the day of your trip as well as snacks the night before and during the trip.

If you have special dietary requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you reserve your trip. We will do our very best to accommodate your needs.

GUEST INVOLVEMENT: How you participate in getting down the river

All-Outdoors runs oar-paddle combination rafts on Cherry Creek. In an oar-paddle boat, a professional guide steers the boat with oars while simultaneously calling commands to paddlers. It is imperative that everyone be willing and able to paddle. Every guest on our Cherry Creek trips should be in reasonable physical shape, have prior watersport experience, be able to swim, and be willing to follow guide instructions in a team environment.

CHERRY CREEK EXTRAS: Guide boat escort, advanced education and preparation

Our goal is to make this incredible but challenging river as accessible to as many people as possible. Cherry Creek requires extensive investment in both logistics and safety so we offer two unique programs to enhance our Creek trips:

First, we offer an intensive Cherry Creek orientation the night before your trip begins. The purpose of the orientation is to familiarize guests with the special requirements of advanced class V rafting, as well as to create group cohesion. Rafting Cherry Creek requires team work and trust; we start building a foundation early so you have the best trip possible.

Second, every All-Outdoors Cherry Creek trip is lead by a Guide Boat or Cataraft. The Guide Boat is paddled by AO guides and runs at the front of each trip to create a “safety net” below rapids. The extra guides also help foster smooth execution of on water trip logistics.

CHERRY CREEK FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Still have questions about Cherry Creek? Visit the Cherry Creek FAQ.

THE NEXT STEP: Explore Trip Options or Begin the Booking Process

To learn more about our Cherry Creek rafting trips, explore our 1-Day and Multi-Day Tuolumne/Cherry Creek Combo trip options. If you want to start booking your trip now, you can call our office at 1-800-24-RAFTS during business hours or check for available space online.