Kayak Lower American River

The lower American River appears to be a nice easy run, suitable for an fun trip on a kayak.

Here is a very well done video and article by the Sacramento Bee documenting a paddle down the lower American River:

http://www.sacbee.com/2009/07/02/1993538/the-american-river-kayak-it.html

A good article in the Sacramento Parent Magazine:

http://www.ssparent.com/In_This_Issue/07%2007/Columns/let%27s%20go!%20Kayaks%20Ahoy!.htm

Excellent write up on CA Creeks for the Lower American River:

http://cacreeks.com/amer-low.htm

Nice detailed map of the American River Parkway, with facilities located along Lower American River. Zoom in really big to see the details. Because the map has so much details, I haven't figure out how to print it out on multiple sheets of papers.  The map has too large to see on a single sheet of paper.

http://www.msa2.saccounty.net/parks/Documents/ParkwayMap.pdf

Another descriptive story from the Sacramento Bee:

http://www.sacbee.com/2009/07/02/1993538/the-american-river-kayak-it.html

When I do a new river for the first time, I like to follow the route that rafter take.  I do this for several reasons:

1. It guarantees that there will be plenty of raft traffic so in case of an equipment problem, help easier to get
2. I can read the description of the raft run to judge the level of difficulty
3. There is always a shuttle that takes rafters back to the starting point
4. I may have friends who don't own a kayak and would like to rent a raft to do the trip together

The River Rat offers all of the above benefits. The shuttle service is $4, but I haven't verified whether they will take someone who did not rent a raft from them:

http://www.river-rat.com/raft_rentals.htm

There's even a map showing the trip. It's quite fuzzy, but it appears that:

Put-in: Sunrise Blvd
Take-out: William B. Pond Recreation Area at the end of Harrington Drive/Kingsford Road
Distance: about 8 miles

http://www.river-rat.com/find_us.htm

Kevin