I recently received word that Middle Fork American River rafting season recently got extended.

Due to the ongoing re-licensing studies that have been taking place on the Middle Fork American River as well as some other factors, PG&E will continue to release 3 hours of flow on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 12 noon through at least October 19th. It is possible they will go one weekend beyond that to the 25th and 26th.

Read more…

By this time of year most of California Rivers are about finished when it comes to whitewater, with the exception of the American Rivers (South Fork & Middle Fork). Fall rafting on these two rivers is a real treat… there are very few other folks out there rafting and kayaking… no more summer crowds. Fall colors begin to set in a bit and there is a quiet peace throughout.

The Middle Fork American River will run until September 27, 2008.. so this is your last chance to catch some great Class III-IV whitewater. The South Fork American (Class III) will run through October.

Read more…

The Tuolumne River and Cherry Creek rafting runs have about a week left to their season. The final day for whitewater rafting flows on these two incredible runs is Monday, September 1 (Labor Day).

If you feel yourself getting a little green with envy as you think of everyone else hiking up Clavey Falls and swimming away the afternoon, rafting the Tuolumne’s class IV rapids, or jumping in for swim practice before an epic day on Cherry Creek, there is an antidote to your pain.

The Tuolumne River is by far my favorite river in California. The sheer beauty of the land scape and magnitude of the rapids.. just stunning. There’s no question why the Tuolumne is a California classic.

Happy Rafting

So where has summer gone? I know it’s not over but the back to school sales are on, the college kids are heading back to campus and before you know.. winter will be here. With this in mind… it’s time to start thinking about that 2008 / 2009 Ski & Snowboard Season Pass.

Prices listed are for adult season pass rate unless otherwise noted

Mammoth Mountain

• Adult 19 – 64: $1675
• Youth 13 – 18: $1256
• Child 7 – 12: $838
• Senior 65 – 79: $838

Northstar at Tahoe & Sierra at Tahoe
- Visit Double Whammy Pass.

Double Whammy Pass (Both Mountains)

• Value: $379
• College: $299
• Limited: $499
• Unlimited: $749

Northstar at Tahoe Season Pass: $299

Sierra at Tahoe Season Pass:

• Sun – Fri: $199
• 7-Day: $299

Boreal

• Night Pass: $129
• Super Saver (Sun-Fri): $199
• College: $129
• Anytime: $329

Heavenly Lake Tahoe

• Heavenly (Sun – Fri): $369
• Epic (unlimited): $579

Squaw Valley USA

• Night Pass: $199
• Midweek Pass: $949 (before Sept 1)
• Full Pass: $1549 (before Sept 1)

Bear Valley

• Restricted: $319
• Unlimited: $419
• Mtn / Meadow (dh and xc): $499

Alpine Meadows

• Midweek: $399
• Full Pass: $899

Sugar Bowl

• Pricing not yet available

Kirkwood

• 6 Wood: $239
• 7 Wood: $389
• Unlimited: $529
• Premium: $1,169

Bear Mountain

• Midweek: $299
• Midweek + Sunday: $339
• Anytime Non Holiday: $429
• Anytime: $499

Mountain High

• $299 sale starts August 30.

Sad but true, the 2008 Merced River rafting season is pretty much done. Rafters & kayakers may be able to sqeek another couple of days out of the Quarter Mile section but flows probably won’t hold out through the July 4th weekend.

The Western States 100 Endurance Race, scheduled for Saturday June 28, 2008 has been cancelled because of poor air quality due to the overwhelming amount of wildfires in Northern California. For complete details on the cancellation please visit:
http://www.ws100.com/latestnews.htm

Catch Johnny Lang when he performs at the Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza – the best blues acts with over 50 microbreweries takes place August 1-2, 2008.

Packages are available starting at $105 per person for lodging and admission to the Grand Tasting and the Bluesapalooza Festival.

For complete details visit Mammoth Mountain Events.

Today is June 20th.. the day of the Summer Soltice in the North Hemisphere. It is officially summer and temperatures are beginning to heat up. With that said many spring rivers will be petering out in the coming weeks.

According to the All-Outdoors Blog.. this will be the last weekend for rafting and kayaking on the Kaweah River near Three Rivers, CA. We also got word that the Merced River is still holding on and is expected to flow until July 4th. It also appears the Upper Kern and the Kings River will be around for another couple of weeks.

Once our beloved California Spring rafting rivers run out it will be time to move onto the reliable dam controlled rivers like the South Fork and Middle Fork American Rivers as well as the Tuolumne, Cherry Creek and Lower Kern.

And remember even though Schwarzenegger declared a state wide drought.. California Rivers have plenty of water for rafting in 2008.

Originally posted in the Mammoth Mountain Weekly Trail Report – Friday June 20

Kick off the summer season tomorrow with the opening of Mammoth Mountain Bike Park! Check out over 24 miles of trails with options for every ability level.

Mammoth had a great winter season and that means there’s still snow on the upper mountain trails. The Bike Park crew is working to get the upper trails open as soon as possible, but until then, enjoy the open lower mountain trails starting at Main Lodge with shuttle service between the Village and the Adventure Center. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes from 9am to 5:30pm.

For a limited-time, discounted Trail Pass pricing is in effect: $34 adults (13+), $17 kids (12 and under). Trail Passes are also good for Scenic Gondola Rides, however bikes are not permitted on the gondola at this time.

The Bike Park will be open from 9am to 6pm daily beginning June 21. Park passes and Kona bike rentals will be available at the Adventure Center across the street from Main Lodge or at the Mountain Center in the Village at Mammoth.

The Bike Park will offer guided tours, private lessons and two camps: Freeride Camp, August 1-3, and Women’s Camp, August 15-17. Lessons are available daily from 10am to noon and 2-4pm.

For updates on trail conditions, call our Summer Adventure Report at 888.SNOW.RPT or visit MammothMountain.com

Don’t forget Monday June 9th is the fifth annual Trailfest on the South Fork American River. Always a great celebration with bbq, live music, raffle, live auction and more. All proceeds go toward the construction and maintenance of a vast system of trails stretching from the Coloma-Lotus Valley down to Salmon Falls.