California Salmon Rafting Safari

One Of The Most Spectacular Class V River Trips In The Country & Pop-Up Glamping

TRIP LENGTH

3 Days / 3 nights or 4 Days / 4 nights

WHEN TO GO

April - June

WHO IT'S FOR

Class IV/ V:
For the experienced and adventurous beginner in good physical condition. Minimum age 16
(Milder class III/IV options for charter trips)

TRIP COST

$1150 - $1490

ACTIVITIES

High Adventure Rafting, Luxury Camping

GATEWAY CITY

Medford, OR (MFR)

MEETING LOCATION

Ashland, OR or Near Somes Bar, CA
 

The Wild and Scenic California Salmon River, although still somewhat unknown even in its home state of California, is one of the most incredible class V whitewater rafting trips in the country. This is one of Momentums original and most loved spring trips, and, for many of us, the “Cal Salmon” is our favorite class V river in the U.S. It combines beautiful, lush coastal scenery, an intimate, marble-smooth, granite inner gorge, a seemingly endless number of waterfalls cascading in from above, emerald-green waters, a very comfortable pop-up base camp with hot showers and a wood-fired sauna (think ‘glamping’ or luxury camping), and unequaled class IV-V pool-drop whitewater. This is truly a world-class, high-adventure whitewater run. Our trip combines the Salmon with the Class V Scott River and/or the spectacularly beautiful Clear Creak to become one of the ultimate (and most comfortable) class V adventures in the country.

Momentum ‘Cal’ Salmon Trips

The Momentu Sauna Trailer - the bar at nightThe Salmon has become our signature spring trip and we run more people down this river than all other companies combined. It is our “back yard” big water spring river. The area is a whitewater playground and our itineraries allow for the time and flexibility to truly see the best this incredibly wild and remote river system has to offer.

And we access it all from our unique and comfortable safari-style pop-up base camp (now with a sauna trailer, hot showers, and an outdoor bar) – combining high adventure and comfortable glamping style camping. We have built a reputation for innovative and comfortable camping in wilderness places and our Cal Salmon Camp takes that to another level.

Please call if you have any questions about this amazing adventure.

Remote and internationally recognized for its biodiversity and wild rivers, California’s far northwest corner is hidden about halfway between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon – many miles from any cities. The river is a major tributary of the Klamath, cuts a deep and rugged canyon between the Marble Mountains and the Trinity Alps, and drains moderate-elevation, high-precipitation areas. Included in the drainage is the Sawtooth Glacier, the only glacier in California’s coastal range. The California Salmon River is also dam-free from its source to its confluence with the Klamath. It is a truly ‘out there’ place and every spring small groups of guides, “whitewater junkies”, and adventurous new river runners make the pilgrimage to the Salmon.

The lushness of the canyon is a refreshing change from the drier, more desert-like landscape of many California rivers. Also outstanding is the abundance of wildlife; it is not uncommon to see black bear or the occasional mountain lion, and meeting up with deer and a wide range of birds is almost a given. The combination of stunning scenery and remote location lends itself to creating a feeling of being set down in a different part of the world. You quickly become immersed in the area and the experience.

Each afternoon we will head back to our comfortable and extremely unique riverside ‘pop-up’ base camp set deep in the Salmon River canyon. There are walk-in tents with cots set among the trees, a tented eating and hang out area, hot showers, a sauna, an outdoor bar, and a big fire burning.  The late afternoon can be spent hiking, biking, and playing games in the sun. For those who like road and mountain biking (and have the energy after a hard day of paddling) the narrow and remote roads in the area offer beautiful riding. Or, for those looking to unwind, grab a towel and head over to our sauna trailer, rinse off in the shower, and grab a drink at the bar and relax by the campfire. The evening will start with appetizers, a big dinner, and desert, and be followed by a comfortable night under a sky far away from any city lights.

We have built a reputation for innovative and comfortable camping in wilderness places, for creative menus featuring local and organic produce & products, our attention to detail, & our overall hospitality.  Our Cal Salmon camp is a unique, comfortable, and fun example of this.

Even if you took away the scenery, the location, and our camp, the whitewater would still make the river more than worthwhile. The rapids are an amazing combination of crashing waves, big holes and boulders, and clean, steep drops over smooth granite. Best of all, there are a ton of them.

The California Salmon’s whitewater lends itself to paddlers of all experience levels. For adventurous beginners and intermediates in good physical condition, the various river stretches allow you to start with a day of class IV before moving on to the class V. For experienced rafters – even those who have boated all over the world – the rapids are more than challenging enough to keep the adrenaline going. Most importantly, they are incredibly fun.

For charter groups we have the option of creating an itinerary that immerses you in the beauty of the Salmon River canyon but that keeps the whitewater class 4 and below. As well as a wilderness lodge-based option. The area is truly a river playground and there are lots of options

So join us for the “pilgrimage” that many of our guests take year after year to the wildlands of the far northwest corner of California. Join us for some of the most classic and incredible advanced whitewater in the world, comfortable nights under huge coastal mountains, time with old and new friends around the campfire, and a chance to get away from wifi, cell phone chatter, and hectic daily schedules.

Please note:
For those doing the class V stretches – Depending on water levels you may be asked to participate in a class-V paddler’s test. These tests are not competitive in any way. They are done to emphasize teamwork, confidence, and to help you judge your ability to tackle this incredible stretch of river. Please call if you have any questions or concerns.


Options and Info

 
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• The Salmon has become our signature spring trip and we run it more than all other companies combined.
• A small company committed to amazing trips & our wild places.
• Safety: all our guides have a minimum of 5 years of experience leading trips around the world.
• An itinerary that allows for the time and flexibility to truly see the best of this whitewater playground
• Deluxe camping at our unique 'pop-up' base camp with walk-in tents, hot showers & a wood-fired sauna. It makes a wild, high adventure place comfortable as well.
• Excellent meals featuring local and organic produce & products.
• All inclusive: all camping and river gear included.
• Most importantly - we are friendly, we love what we do, and it shows!

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Recent Testimonials

  • "It far exceeded my expectations, I don't think I can ever take another river trip with another company. You made Zach's 40th celebration absolutely amazing... blew all expectations out of the water. Will definitely return again!" - Melanie
  • "The guys are still buzzing about the trip, and I think I speak for everyone when I say it was the finest whitewater river that we’ve ever done" - John
  • "Exceptional guides in a beautiful place – camped at a beautiful and remote spot on the California Salmon River. Our guides had comfortable tents and great home cooked meals for us each day. The guide in our boat had 20 plus years experience guiding around the world and took us down awesome Class 5 rapids with skill and care. She gave us as much excitement as possible while keeping us safe. I could not recommend this outfit more highly."
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