The South Fork is one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the west. It's class 2 & 3 rapids are exciting yet tame enough for people off all ages when accompanied by an experienced guide. The Chilli Bar and Gorge sections are class 3 but the middle section, where it flows through the Coloma Valley, is class 2; suitable for river trainees looking for a good place to learn. During the summer, flows are dependent on hydro power releases from Chili Bar Dam. This water reaches Coloma at about 11:00AM. Then at 2:00PM (or 3:00 on a lucky day) it's turned down to fish flow.
Coloma to Greenwood Creek - Middle Section: About 6 miles of class 1-2. Quiet sections interspersed with moderate rapids. Put in at Marshal Gold Discovery Park and continue to Greenwood Creek which enters on right. Hwy 49 is 1/8 mile away. From the highway, look for the "River Access" signs. There is now a paved parking lot there I highly recommend that you walk in and look at the take out so you can recognize it when you get there. If you miss this take out you will be committed to running the class 3 Gorge section. You can also take out earlier at the county Park or Camp Lotus and do it twice; avoiding the more difficult lower 3 miles of this run. Click here for slide show of middle section.
Gorge Run: Class 3. Ten miles. Put in at Sutter's Mill, Lotus Park or Greenwood Creek. Much of the land along the river is private so look for the signs designating public land if you want to stop for lunch. The first 2/3 of this section are easy but watch out for the first class 3 as you get into the "Gorge" section. Just around a cabin sized rock is Fowler's Rock, a well known wrap rock. There are many rapids from here on. At Satan's Cesspool you'll have your picture taken so look cool. After rockin through Haystack Canyon, Bouncing Rock, Hospital Bar and Recovery Room you'll probably hit Folsom Lake if it's early season. If the lake is full you'll want to bring $15 (price varies) for the tow boat or paddle for 1 mile or less toward the end of season. Takeout is just before Salmon Falls bridge to the right. Click here for Gorge run slide show.
Chili Bar Run: Class 3+. This run is for more experienced guides as it can be more troublesome than the Gorge Run. About 8 to 11 miles depending on take-out point. Put in at Chili Bar at the Hwy 193 crossing. After one half mile you're into Meatgrinder, the longest rapid on the river. Towards the lower part of the run there's Troublemaker Rapid where you'll have your picture taken - hopefully in the boat! The rest of the trip is easy. Take out at Hwy 49, Lotus Park, Camp Lotus or Greenwood Creek. If you are doing the whole river you can pass the creek and continue on to the Gorge section.