This enchanting whitewater river flows out from the western entrance of Yosemite National Park. Centuries of glacial and volcanic action and erosion have created a fascinating deep river canyon for our raft trips. The Merced River descends from the waterfalls of Yosemite Valley in successive leaps, producing stretches of exhilarating whitewater wave trains, technical challenges and steep gradient drops. Yet this river also offers many opportunities for just laying back in the boat, relaxing and enjoying the forest scenery while the current takes us down the river.
Offering abundant whitewater confined by a narrow corridor, this river is a must for the whitewater enthusiast. Indeed, the Merced river offers one of the best whitewater rafting paddle-boat trips in California.
For part of its course, the Merced follows the old Yosemite railroad bed, passing abandoned gold mines and water flumes. Just below the town of El Portal is where our trips begin. Our lower water 1-day Merced river trips (at low water level) include the famed "Quarter Mile Rapid"- over 500 yards of exceptional white water. Just below this intense section is a 20 foot waterfall which we must portage (a portage necessitates lining or carrying the rafts around the obstacle. Full passenger participation is required). Click here for more information on the Merced River.
- The 1-Day trip offers a full day of fun, relaxation, and the excitement of many Class II, III, and IV rapids.
- This Sierra canyon, located just a short drive from Yosemite, is filled with springtime wildflowers, green rolling hills, and lush pine groves.
View our Merced River Video
Special Camping the night before your trip: For all of our Merced River trips we meet you at our Indian Flat Campground office just outside Yosemite Park on highway 140 and only 3 miles downriver from the small hamlet of El Portal. Indian Flat Campground offers camping, and motels are nearby. There are nice restaurants nearby where you may enjoy a lovely dinner.
ITINERARY
The day begins at 10 A.M. (meet at Indian Flat Campground) when you meet your river guides.
We gather for the Trip Orientation, a thorough, 30-minute presentation given by your Head Guide. He/she will go over the safety features of the trip, and demonstrate paddle techniques. You will be introduced to your guides, launch your boats and begin rafting. The entire morning until lunch, we have the opportunity to raft through lots of rapids. The Merced is intense and challenging from the start, with many Class III and IV rapids in the first nine miles. At mile seven we reach Ned's Gulch, a pure-fun Class IV rapid which begins with a series of standing waves, each coming toward you at an angle and building in size, and culminating in one big wave and a deep drop.
About noon we stop for a hearty and nutritious picnic lunch. Lunch includes a variety of deli meats, cheeses, breads, condiments, vegetables, fruit, chips, cookies, lemonade, ice tea, and water. The next nine miles offer enjoyable Class II-III rapids until we reach Split Rock and Corner Pocket, both exciting solid Class IV rapids. We reach our take-out at Railroad Flat, take the boats out of the water, board our river shuttle vehicles, and head back to your cars.
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