{"id":9593,"date":"2021-07-21T11:09:26","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T18:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/?p=9593"},"modified":"2025-06-16T15:06:30","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T22:06:30","slug":"why-cherry-creek-is-the-most-difficult-rafting-trip-in-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/why-cherry-creek-is-the-most-difficult-rafting-trip-in-the-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Cherry Creek Is the Most Difficult Rafting Trip in the US"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><p>\r\n<i class=\"fa-regular fa-clock\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i> <span class=\"bsf-rt-reading-time\"><span class=\"bsf-rt-display-label\" prefix=\"Reading Time\">\n\t\t<\/span> <span class=\"bsf-rt-display-time\" reading_time=\"2\"><\/span> \n\t\t<span class=\"bsf-rt-display-postfix\" postfix=\"mins\"><\/span><\/span>\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the words Cherry Creek come up in conversation with seasoned rafters, all ears are open and all emotions are heightened. Why? It is because this 9-mile stretch of river on the Upper Tuolumne River located just outside of Yosemite National Park is the most difficult commercial rafting trip in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Truth be told, there are a few other more difficult runs in this country, but the government has not granted any outfitters permission to offer trips to the general public on these extreme runs for good reason. In the case of Cherry Creek, the US Forest Service has given the go ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-reasons-why-cherry-creek-is-so-challenging-and-exciting\">4 reasons why Cherry Creek is so challenging and exciting!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-steeper-gradient\">1. Steeper gradient<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gradient on rivers is measured by elevation change in a river per mile. One simple way to think about it is in terms of slope: How much is the river tilted as it heads downstream. We do not need to be brainiacs to understand the greater the slope the greater the speed at which the river travels. This translates to more rapids, thrill, and difficulty. The average gradient of a Class III river in California is between 25 and 30 feet per mile. The average for Cherry Creek is 100 feet per mile and increases to 200 through Miracle Mile!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"556\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/unknown-soldier.jpg\" alt=\"Unknown Soldier - Cherry Creek\" class=\"wp-image-9595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/unknown-soldier.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/unknown-soldier-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/unknown-soldier-768x427.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-more-obstacles-and-difficult-maneuvers\">2. More obstacles and difficult maneuvers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As noted, a steeper gradient adds speed. Throw into that equation large <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/the-4-rs-rivers-rocks-rafts-rafters\/\">boulders to maneuver around<\/a> &#8211; a lot of them strung across the river and in succession down river &#8211; and the definition of <a title=\"Click here for Class difficulty definitions\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\"#lodModal\" href=\"#\">Class V<\/a> rafting becomes altogether too clear to the beholder!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"556\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/mushroom.jpg\" alt=\"Mushroom Rapid - Cherry Creek\" class=\"wp-image-9596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/mushroom.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/mushroom-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/mushroom-768x427.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-large-water-volume\">3. Large water volume<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is one thing to raft a low volume river with a steep gradient, but it is quite another to raft a river flowing with a lot of water. Maneuvers must be fast and precise. Powerful and sometimes long rapids come in quick succession leaving little room for error. Cherry Creek runs at relatively high flow all summer long and when you are on it in a raft or kayak, you are amazed at its power.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"556\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/miracle-mile.jpg\" alt=\"Cherry Creek Miracle Mile\" class=\"wp-image-9632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/miracle-mile.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/miracle-mile-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/miracle-mile-768x427.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-extreme-consequences\">4. Extreme consequences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the more sobering realities of any Class V river is the fact that if something goes wrong, the consequences can be severe. This is true on Cherry Creek. We have spent over 30 years perfecting how to tame this giant to a point of reasonable risk. Even though we have never had anything severely drastic occur, the possibility still exists. Admittedly, this is the case on any river and it\u2019s one of the reasons so many people like whitewater rafting&#8230;the risk takes us out of our comfort zones and keeps us from getting bored with a life too secure and too well planned.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"556\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/consequences.jpg\" alt=\"Consequences on Cherry Creek\" class=\"wp-image-9598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/consequences.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/consequences-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/consequences-768x427.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some may read this blog and say, \u201cNo way will you see me on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/river\/cherry-creek\/welcome.htm\">Cherry Creek<\/a>!\u201d. Before you jump to that conclusion, read our blog answering the question of whether or not you are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/when-are-you-ready-for-class-v-rafting\/\">ready for Class V rafting<\/a> and then decide. You might be surprised!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:40px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"calls-2-action-cpt\">\n    <div class=\"container-fluid\"> \n            \n                <div class=\"row\">   \n            <div class=\"col-sm-8\">\n                <h2>Raft Cherry Creek!<\/h2>\n                <p><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>This could be you!<\/strong> Nonstop action, technical rapids, and a remote canyon\u2014if you\u2019re looking for the ultimate challenge, this is it. Feel the rush, and take on California\u2019s most intense whitewater.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-4\"> \n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cherry-creek-cta-2025-1-300x200.jpg\" class=\"aligncenter img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"Raft Cherry Creek!\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cherry-creek-cta-2025-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cherry-creek-cta-2025-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-12\">\n                <div class=\"text-center\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/go.aorafting.com\/reserve\/cc-1\" class=\"btn btn-primary\">\n                            Book Online 24\/7                        <\/a>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                            <\/div> \n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:40px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"related-posts\">\n   \n<h3>\nKeep Reading &#8211; There Is More to Explore:\n<\/h3> \n <div class=\"container-fluid\">     \n     <div class=\"row\">  \n     \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/cherry-creek-are-you-ready-feature-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"when are you ready for class V\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/cherry-creek-are-you-ready-feature-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/cherry-creek-are-you-ready-feature-1024x587.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/cherry-creek-are-you-ready-feature-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/cherry-creek-are-you-ready-feature-1536x880.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/cherry-creek-are-you-ready-feature.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/when-are-you-ready-for-class-v-rafting\/\">When Are You Ready for Class 5 Rafting?<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n       \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tu-carnage-swim-101-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"River 101 - How Stay in the Boat\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tu-carnage-swim-101-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tu-carnage-swim-101-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tu-carnage-swim-101.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/rafting-101-how-to-stay-in-the-raft\/\">How to Stay in the Raft<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n       \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/river-difficulty-rating-explained-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/river-difficulty-rating-explained-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/river-difficulty-rating-explained-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/river-difficulty-rating-explained.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/white-water-rafting-levels-classes-explained\/\">White Water Rafting Levels \/ Classes Explained \u2013 A Visual Guide<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n       \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/guide-commands-101-feature-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"River guide commands for whitewater rafting\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/guide-commands-101-feature-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/guide-commands-101-feature-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/guide-commands-101-feature.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/river-guide-commands-101\/\">Whitewater Rafting Paddle Commands \u2013 Watch and Learn<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n                  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n    <hr \/>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-author\">\n      <div class=\"container-fluid\">\r\n    <em><small>Posted on July 21, 2021 by<\/small><\/em>\r\n    <div class=\"author-bio\">\r\n\t    <div class=\"col-sm-3\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/gregg-miriam-armstrong.png\" class=\"author-avatar img-responsive\" alt=\"Gregg Armstrong Bio\" \/><\/div>\r\n\t    <div class=\"col-sm-9\">\r\n        <h3>Gregg Armstrong<\/h3>\r\n\t\t<p>Gregg is the middle child of George and Dolores Armstrong&#8217;s five children. He has been working with All-Outdoors since it was founded. He guided and set up early operations on California rivers in the 70&#8217;s and 80&#8217;s before making marketing for AO and reservations his main responsibilities. One of his claims to fame is that he and his wife Marion had triplets, who grew up to enjoy rafting and outdoor activities as much as he does. When not doing AO and family life he loves to ski, garden, and spend time with people.<\/p>\r\n\t    <\/div>\r\n        <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>  \n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When the words Cherry Creek come up in conversation with seasoned rafters, all ears are open and all emotions are heightened. Read the 4 reasons why this iconic run creates&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":9620,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-california-rivers"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why Cherry Creek Is the Most Difficult Rafting Trip in the US<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/why-cherry-creek-is-the-most-difficult-rafting-trip-in-the-us\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Cherry Creek Is the Most Difficult Rafting Trip in the US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When the words Cherry Creek come up in conversation with seasoned rafters, all ears are open and all emotions are heightened. Read the 4 reasons why this iconic run creates...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/why-cherry-creek-is-the-most-difficult-rafting-trip-in-the-us\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The AO Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/alloutdoors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-07-21T18:09:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-16T22:06:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/cherry-creek-feature.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1100\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Gregg Armstrong, Co-Founder\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta 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