Wednesday, 21. January 2009, 19:49:20
Today I did something that I have never done before. A road trip on my Scooter. For those of you how don't know I have a 25o Lance scooter that I ride instead of a car.
I met my buddy Dave at his house around 10am in the morning. He was supposed to go but he had two kids home sick and had thrown his back out so he couldn't go. I talked with him for a couple of hours and then decided to go ahead and ride at least up to Salmon falls. So I hopped on my bike and off I went. Some of you how know me know that I used to go to Coloma and Salmon Falls all the time in the 10 or so years that I spent white water rafting on the Southfork. It has been at least 10 years since I have been up there. I was really surprised at all the homes that are now on Salmon Falls road. Wow. The road is the same but it now seems like you are riding in town instead of being in the country. My Scooter did really well on hills and turns. I was really pleased. I may be able to take other road trips.
After being out at Folsom Lake last Saturday I new the river would be low, but I have never seen it this low.
This is Salmon Falls Bridge. Normally the water level is about 50 feet higher than you see now. I have been here when the water was high enough that you could almost touch the bride from the boat. The area that I am walking in should be under about 25 to 50 ft of water.
After hanging around here and taking some pictures I decided that I would go ahead and ride on up to Coloma. It was really a fun ride. Like I said before I had only driven this road in a car. Never on a bike. I stopped at some of the new park areas that have been constructed since I been here last. Nice areas on Hwy 49 to stop for a picnic. Coloma has not changed much except for the number of rafting companies that are there. Even along Hwy 49 there are at least 10 new rafting companies. I will have to come back up here during the spring and summer runs. You will probably be able to walk across the river on the rafts.
As I was going along Hyw 49 I saw a couple of deer I was able to shoot this one. This is the only way that I can get a deer anymore.
Entering Coloma I drove down Lotus Road which runs along the river and got to see some of the rapids along this stretch of the river at low water. It is really different to see the rocks and boulders out of the water. I stopped at the Lotus campground but it was closed for the winter.
Went on to Coloma Park this was the put in for the gorge run.
This picture is looking down river and at what used to be the first class two rapid of the trip. Now it is maybe a class 1/4 you would have to carry the raft to get buy this rapid. They have really done a lot of work at this park. It is much nicer. They don't let you take out here anymore. They have built a new take out area further down river off Lotus rd.
I went on down the road to Troublemaker. Normally a class 4 rapid and a lot of fun. I have some great memories of this Rapid.
I have never seen this rapid at this low water before. I was interesting to me to see the rock formations that make up this rapid. If you look closely you can see the rock that is named gunsite. It sits right in the middle of the river channel and you have to go either left or right of it to make it thru. It is one of the reasons that this rapid is so challenging. We have see a lot of rafts get hung up here. And unfortunatley several people have lost their lives in this rapid. It is not one to take lightly. I have been on it at over 10,000 CFS and as little as 1200 CFS a big difference. This is what they call and S turn rapid as it make two major turns in about 100 feet and a drop of about 10 feet.
After hanging around for awhile I went on back home. Over all a really good road trip.
Just as a note for those of you who don't know your California history. Coloma is the site of Sutter's Mill. Where gold was discovered and the start of the California gold rush. There is a very nice park that has parts of the old mill and out buildings. A nice day trip is you live in this area.
WIDGETIZE