"There isn't much that is finer than sleeping on a
sandy beach, hearing the gentle lap of the water and all under an extravagant
bouquet of stars."
Linda Kahn
"The coffee
was as good as I ever had. Thank you for going out of your way to keep
me supplied."
Paul Sherrill
" Your care of your guests is unsurpassed. Great food, beautiful
river, wonderful company."
Kate Chaitin,
software designer
|
|
|
Wild & Scenic Klamath River
Scenic River Trips with River Dancers
The Klamath is California's longest river and
second largest. The average flow at its mouth is higher than the
Colorado in the Grand Canyon.
The Klamath watershed starts east of Crater Lake in
southern Oregon. It flows southwesterly into California and then
west to the ocean. It slices through the very rugged Siskiyou mountains
and Coastal Range. The large wilderness area between Happy Camp and
the coastal town of Crescent City is a remote paradise, supporting a
rich and lush vegetation and a wide variety of wildlife.
The Klamath and its tributaries and the diverse vegetation
provide excellent habitat for ospreys, bald eagles, great blue herons,
Canada geese....This region of California lies on the migratory route
of many tropical birds. These birds make the journey to the forests
around Hwy 96 to nest after spending the winter in the rain forests
of Central America and the Caribbean.
The Klamath region remains largely unpopulated. Before
white settlement, the Klamath was home to several groups of Indians,
including a tribe of Modocs known as the Klamath, after whom the river
was named. Other tribes living along the river and its tributaries
included the Shasta, Karuk (whose name means upstream) and the Yurok
(downstream). The subsistence of these Indians depended mostly on the
river's abundant salmon and steelhead and it was profoundly disturbed,
first by mining operations in the fever of the gold rush, then later
by dam building and other dredging operations that cut the fish off some
of their best spawning grounds. Fisheries have been protected since then,
and, in 1980, the California section of the Klamath was added to the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, thus being saved from dam building.
Every summer, the Yurok and their neighbors share the
World Renewal Ceremony that brings good fortune from the spirits
to prevent disasters and provide abundant food.
Bigfoot legends abound around the world. Native Americans
called him Sasquatch. To this day, the area along Hwy 96, between
Happy Camp and Willow Creek reports more sightings of Bigfoot than anywhere
else in the world. Cryptozoologists, people who investigate unknown animal
species, have compiled huge amounts of evidence proving Bigfoot's evidence.
Tree of Heaven campground is the meeting place for our
very popular class 2/3 run. It is easily accessible from I-5,
10 minutes only from the Oregon border and close to the small town
of Yreka. Mellow rapids, warm waters great for swimming and an easy
pace make for a relaxing day, ideal for families with small children
or first time rafters.
Happy Camp, halfway between I-5 and the Pacific Coast,
is the meeting place for our class 2/3 Klamath run and most of our
overnight adventures. It was so named in 1851 by a group of gold miners
after they found what they were looking for. Playful rapids, superb
scenery and wildlife combined with secluded camping
make the Klamath one of the State's best summer destinations. We
offer 2 to 5 day wilderness camping trips. A raft carries all our equipment,
kitchen, food, sleeping gear and personal baggage. We travel down river
unemcumbered by the strappings of modern urban life. No cars, no phones,
no computers... just the quiet and peace of the river environment. Our
guides take care of all your needs. They are expert at river navigation,
excellent cooks, storytellers, yoga instructors and musicians...Mostly
they are wonderful human beings who love what they do and take your welfare
to heart. Ukonom Creek, named after a Karok chief, enters the Klamath
river, clear and cool. A rugged 3/4 mile trail leads from the river
to the Ukonom Twin Falls and a nice deep pool great for swimming and
cooling off. This is a place of awesome beauty, the highlight of any trip.
Camping information
We offer the use of inflatable
kayaks on all our Klamath trips. Our self-bailing kayaks are
one-person rafts, very stable, easy to paddle and immense fun. They
allow for a very intimate river experience, the extra thrill to challenge
your senses and spririt of adventure. Teenagers love them...
We take care of you. We teach you the basic skills and
safety procedures, we lead you down the river and provide support
and assistance to ensure the best experience possible.
|
|