A Paddle & Wine Touring Adventure on the American River
Trip Overview
One day touring local, El Dorado County Wineries with chauffeured transportation
Snacks and lovely lunch on wineries Tour
Wine tasting during hors d'oeuvres back at camp
Barbeque Dinner
One night of camping (the night during)
One day rafting, 10 miles of river, either Chili Bar or Gorge
Four great meals included (lunch & dinner Day 1; breakfast & lunch Day 2)
We rate the California’s South Fork of the American River as the best river in California for both first-time and more experienced rafters. As the most popular river in California, California’s South Fork of the American River is a consistent Class II-III+, beginning-level whitewater river. California’s South Fork of the American River has become the most popular river in California for individuals, families, groups of friends and company recreation trips, available daily from April through September.
Spend one day sampling the wines from 3-5 of El Dorado County's finest wineries! The scenery is beautiful, many of the wines are award-winning, and the service from the wineries is top quality, and you don't have the crowds of Napa or Sonoma counties.
Our riverside campground is private (no other rafting companies share it), has a well-equipment camp store which provides last-minute items you may have forgotten, flush toilets, and hot-water showers.
Back at camp, during hors d'oeuvres, our Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday trips all have a small amount of wine tasting available during hors d'oeuvres, though the special wine-tasting presentation by the staff is only during our Saturday-Sunday trips.
Camping at the Mariah’s South Fork of the American River Campground this night is not included in the price of your trip. However, we invite you to join us for a small additional fee. If you camp with us the night prior to your trip, we request that you come anytime after 5 PM. Our Camp Host/ess will greet you, give you any rentals you have reserved, and show you where you may camp. There are several nice restaurants nearby where you may enjoy a lovely dinner. Our Camp Host/ess will be on duty from 5 PM - 9 PM; however, you may come after 9 PM, just have your flashlight handy. A lantern will be lit next to our large campground map so you can see where you are. Also, if you have not arrived by the time the host/ess goes off duty, they will write you a welcome note which will be posted on the big white board next to the big camp map. The note to you will give you appropriate instructions regarding camping and any rentals you have. You may also join us for breakfast the first morning for a small additional fee.
I just spent the weekend at your camp with the TableforSix group. Just wanted to mention that I had a fantastic time! Great hospitality from the moment I arrived and walked to my tent, which was all set up and ready to go (too easy)!!! Also, I wanted to say that the meals were all excellent!
"I rate Mariah in the top 5% of all the companies I have dealt with in my life, not just rafting but all companies, and I am a customer expert who teaches customer service to companies who need it. Your staff are professional in every way; they make you feel like you are rafting with friends instead of a company. The food is very good, and the portions are.....well....if you leave the table hungry, it is your fault. The campground is well-maintained and functional, while keeping the rustic setting. Please feel free to use this in all of your promotional materials.
D.H., South Fork American River, 2-Days, 5/23-24/09
I wanted to send you a thank you note. My weekend at Mariah was phenomenal! I cannot tell you how much fun we had! Everything turned out perfect! All the food was good (banana pancakes, lobster, fresh fruit!), our guides were awesome! The first day we were on Mike's raft; he was knowledgeable about the area and told us a bit about the history of the area we were rafting through. The next day we were with Julie. She was fun, and explained how the water works and how to read it. Both guides were grade "A"! I still can't stop thinking about it, I didn't want to come home. I would say that this was an experience I will never forget; I just fell in love with everything and everyone.
We will greet you in the Mariah Wilderness Campground Kitchen where you will meet your driver-guide for the day of Winery Touring. After a 30-minute orientation you will board our Mariah vehicle and head out for this day of wine-tasting. We should be on our way between 9:30 - 10:00AM.
We will visit between three and five wineries, depending on things such as how much fun we are having at one or more of the wineries, the activities the wineries have planned for us, your wishes, and other circumstances which may influence which wineries we visit.
SNACKS: It is our desire to have you enjoy the unique tastes of the different wines so we will be providing small, appropriate snacks once we arrive at each winery.
12 NOON We will have prepared a lovely picnic lunch for your enjoyment; your driver-guide will serve it and you will have plenty of time to enjoy it.
MID-AFTERNOON We plan on returning to the Mariah Campground around 3-4PM. So, from whichever winery we find ourselves at, we will board Mariah's vehicle for a relaxing drive back to camp.
You will have time to shower, rest, play a game of volleyball, pingpong or horseshoes.
BACK AT CAMP
You may choose to shower, play volleyball, horseshoes, ping-pong; walk our unique Nature Trail, sit by the river, read, relax, socialize with old and new friends or shop in the Mariah camp store for a souvenir t-shirt. Around 5-5:30 P.M., hors d’oeuvres are prepared and presented by your guides.
BEVERAGE GARDEN Every Saturday evening during this time, we have a special wine-tasting presentation by our staff in our Beverage Garden. There is plenty of fruit juice for the kids, and water for everyone. During the middle of the week there is always a sampling of local wines, though not necessarily presented by the staff. Feel free to bring your own favorite beverage to enjoy.
EVENING AT MARIAH CAMP
On Saturday evenings Mariah usually features a local bluegrass and mountain-music musician that entertains during hors d’oeuvres. If you are joining us on a Thursday-Friday trip, from the end of June through August, you will be able to enjoy the goldpanning demonstrations of our resident goldpanner, Rodney.
We receive rave reviews for the quality and quantity of food we serve for dinner. You may be able to enjoy barbequed steak, chicken, colorful salad with veggies to add to it, baked or mashed potato, garlic bread, water, and a small amount of wine. Feel free to bring your own favorite beverage.
SECOND DAY
8:00 A.M. The day begins with a delicious breakfast, usually pancakes and sausage, fresh fruit, cereal, juice, fresh coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Or, we may serve a build-your-own egg burrito. Let us know if you have a special diet.
9:00 A.M. BOARD MARIAH VEHICLES AND HEAD FOR CHILI BAR PUT-IN You will receive a thorough 30-minute presentation given by your Head Guide to discuss the safety features of the trip and demonstrate paddle techniques. After, you'll meet your own guides, then launch boats from the top part of the river, Chili Bar, and raft the 10.5 miles down to the Mariah Campground.
The river starts out with exciting rapids so be prepared for a thrill from the beginning. During the first 5.5 miles we will raft through fun and challenging rapids like Meatgrinder, Race Horse Bend, and the Triple Threats. At mile 5.5 we enter Troublemaker Rapid, the largest rapid on the South Fork; hold on to your hat!! After this fun rapid we'll drift and paddle through gorgeous scenery, enjoying the scenic river and calmer rapids. At one point, we float past a replica of Sutter's Mill, the site where that first gold nugget was discovered in 1848 that started the California Gold Rush of 1849.
LUNCH ON THE RIVER OR BACK AT MARIAH CAMPGROUND: Arriving back at Mariah's campground we enjoy a hearty barbeque lunch. You will have time to shop for souvenir t-shirts in our walk-in store, say goodbye to your guides and exchange email addresses with the other participants. OR, we may decide to enjoy a hearty picnic lunch on the river.
DEPART BY ABOUT 2:30 - 3:00 P.M. You will be ready to depart exhilerated and refreshed for your next destination by about 3PM.
Mariah's campground is outdoor living in style with many of the same comforts you have at home. Rent one of Mariah's CabinTents and enjoy the riverfront view while sitting on your own private veranda. Wake up to a steaming hot cup of java at the Coffee Corner, or wind down after rafting at the Wine & Beverage Garden. For the ultimate peaceful moments, take a walk on our Sierra Nature Trail or find a private bench near the river that invites leisure activites.
Want some more excitement after rafting? Play a fun game of volleyball, ping pong, or horseshoes. On most Saturday evenings the crickets join in on live bluegrass music, soft guitar music, a jazz trio, or mandolin playing for your entertainment. On Thursdays Rodney, our resident goldpanner will demonstrate the art of goldpanning. And don't forget about all of the delicious fresh food that the Mariah Guides prepare outdoors just for you.
Our Camp Store is stocked with last minute items you may need for your American River rafting trip. We also have Mariah Gear for sale so you can take something home to remember your whitewater rafting trip. To keep informed about local events or the gold history of Coloma head over to the Guest Information Kiosk.
Eagle's Nest and Falcon's Nest are each on a raised-platform. They are cabin-style tents each with 5 deluxe sleeping cots, 5 deluxe pads, and 5 deck chairs. These airy tents have lovely views of the tree-lined river and there's plenty of room on large verandas to enjoy visiting, morning coffee, an evening glass of wine, a peaceful bird calls.
Hawk's Nest
This is our cabin-style tent with 4 deluxe sleeping cots, 4 deluxe pads, and 4 deck chairs. Hawk's Nest rests on the ground and has a nice canvas awning under which you can relax in your deck chair and listen to the sounds of the river.
Sparrow, Kingfisher, and Hummingbird
Sparrow, Kingfisher, and Hummingbird are each on a raised-platform. They are cabin-style tents each with 2 deluxe sleeping cots, 2 deluxe pads, and 2 deck chhttp://www.mariahrafting.com/resources/tab-sample.htmlairs. These airy tents have lovely views of the tree-lined river. Their verandas are perfect spots for enjoying the river views.
Mulberry, Acorn, Poppy, and Berry
Mulberry, Acorn, Poppy, and Berry are each on a raised-platform with a small veranda. They are large family-style tents each with 4 deluxe pads, and lovely view of the river.
2 Person Dome Tents
2-person Dome Tents are comfortable and have enough space for 2 people, 2 of our deluxe pads (which are included in the rental price of the dome tent), and all of your personal gear.
9 A.M.
12 NOON
BEVERAGE GARDEN
8:00 A.M.
Eagle's Nest & Falcon's Nest
Hawk's Nest
2 Person Dome Tents