Whitewater Rafting Trips in California

03/29/2026

03/29/2026

🚨 The Anatomy of Grand Canyon Rapids: A Deep Dive 🌊
Sockdolager Rapid (Mile 79/19' Drop)

🧭 Overview
➡️ Class 5-7 rapid
➡️ Named for the large waves and hydraulics that define its character
➡️ Medium-length rapid with strong waves and hydraulics
➡️ Straight shot not really technical. T- up to entry waves and hit head on and at lower flows watch for sharp holes downstream

📜 History & Significance
➡️ Naming: Major Powell gave the name Sockdolager which was a boxing term in that era which meant "knock out blow" or "defining punch"
➡️ River Lore: This was the first large rapid that the Powell expedition was unable to portage due to impassable cliffs and lack of trespass to portage boats on the shores
➡️ Rafts are sure to take on one or more large waves here no matter what the level

🪨 Geology & Exploration
➡️ Cuts through Vishnu Schist and Zoroaster Granite deep in the inner gorge
➡️ Like most all major rapids in Grand Canyon, the rapid is formed by debris from the drainage called Hance Creek (river right). However while many rapids are named after the side canyon that creates them this rapid does not take its name from the canyon that created it.
➡️ Nearly sheer cliffs along most of this rapid right to river level on both sides.

🚣 Boating the Rapid
➡️ Lines: Two large waves in center at top of rapid combine to form a "V" shaped entry. There is a choice to hit the left wave the right wave at an angle or head right into the center of the V. There is a cheat run far far left missing these entry waves
➡️ Water Matters:
➡️ Low flows = entry waves are still big, steep and sharp, watch for rocks near surface or sharp holes in middle or bottom of rapid
➡️ High flows = waves smooth out some but still huge, hitting them square on remains essential

📷: Jeanne Eickhoff Sockdolager rapid two entry waves at top clearly visualized.

03/02/2026

IT'S TIME TO BYPASS THIS DAM and DRAIN POWELL RESERVOIR

OUR COMMENT ON THE COLORADO RIVER EIS:

(You can comment here: https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/Public-Review-Comment-Process.html)

Dear U.S. Bureau of Reclamation,

Please accept this letter as public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the "Post-2026 Operational Guidelines and Strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead."

In the Final EIS: 1) the ecological health of the river must be placed at the center of management, 2) Reclamation must adopt solutions that are long-term, equitable, sustainable, and actually solve the problems on the Colorado River rather than kick the can down the road, and 3) the river needs to be “fixed” using Nature-Based Solutions that are also “climate action” to mitigate, and allow adaptation to, climate change that scientists argue will further decrease flows in the future.

Long-term, equitable, sustainable solutions in the EIS should include:

1. Creating a "Grand Canyon Restoration Alternative" that is a "one dam solution" that includes bypassing and decommissioning Glen Canyon Dam, and storing all of the Colorado River's water in Mead Reservoir instead of Powell.

2. Stopping all proposed new dams, diversions and pipelines in the entire basin that will further deplete the river.

3. Enacting conservation programs to save Mead Reservoir.

4. Letting 10% of the river’s total water flow into and through its Delta to the Sea of Cortez in Mexico to sequester carbon in Delta wetlands and mangroves and restore the wildlife habitat.

5. Allocating Native American water rights by subtracting that water from current diversions, or, by paying tribes to keep their water in the river.

6. Distributing water allocations to all users based on the percentage of total flow available each year, not a fixed amount.

Thank you for your work. Please contact me for any questions or comments.

--
Gary Wockner, PhD, Director
Save the Colorado: http://savethecolorado.org
2525 Arapahoe Ave., E4, #260, Boulder, CO 80302

03/02/2026

Demand a smarter future for the Colorado River.

03/02/2026

🌊 Mokelumne River – Sierra to Delta Lifeline

The Mokelumne River flows from the high Sierra Nevada into California’s fertile Central Valley and Delta region.

📍 Source to Mouth

Begins in Alpine County in the Sierra Nevada

Flows west through foothills and wine country

Empties into the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta

🏔️ Scenic Highlights

Granite peaks and alpine forests in the upper river

Historic Gold Rush towns along its banks

Rolling vineyards in the Lodi region

💧 Why It’s Important

Major drinking water source for parts of the East Bay

Supports agriculture and hydroelectric power

Sections designated as Wild and Scenic River

🚣 Recreation

Rafting and kayaking

Fishing for trout and bass

Hiking and camping in forested canyons

The Mokelumne River connects mountain wilderness, Gold Rush history, and California’s modern water system — a true Sierra-to-Delta river story.

03/02/2026

🌊 Pit River – Northern California’s Lava-Carved River

The Pit River is one of the longest rivers entirely in California, flowing through volcanic plateaus and deep canyons of the state’s northeast.

📍 Source to Mouth

Begins in Modoc County near the Oregon border

Flows southwest through rugged terrain

Joins the Sacramento River at Shasta Lake

🌋 Landscape

Passes through lava fields and high desert

Dramatic basalt canyons

Scenic waterfalls and remote wilderness

💧 Why It’s Important

Major tributary of the Sacramento River system

Supports hydroelectric dams and reservoirs

Important habitat for native fish and wildlife

🚣 Recreation

Trout fishing

Kayaking in select stretches

Hiking and exploring volcanic scenery

The Pit River blends volcanic geology with wild Northern California landscapes — powerful, remote, and scenic.

03/02/2026

🌊 Cosumnes River – California’s Free-Flowing River

The Cosumnes River flows through the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada into California’s Central Valley. It is one of the few major rivers in the state without large dams on its main stem.

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📍 Geography & Course

Originates in the Sierra Nevada

Flows west through El Dorado County and Sacramento County

Empties into the Mokelumne River before reaching the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta

Length: approximately 81 miles.

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🌿 Natural Importance

One of the last undammed rivers flowing from the Sierra to the Central Valley

Supports seasonal floodplains and wetlands

Important habitat for migratory birds and native fish

The river corridor includes the Cosumnes River Preserve, a protected wildlife area.

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🐟 Ecology

Steelhead trout and Chinook salmon runs

Rich riparian forests

Vital groundwater recharge during winter floods

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🚣 Recreation

Fishing and wildlife watching

Kayaking during higher winter and spring flows

Hiking and nature photography

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The Cosumnes River is a rare and valuable free-flowing river in California — preserving natural flood cycles and vital wildlife habitats.

11/23/2025