You probably have heard of the Siskiyou Land Trust’s annual rafting day on the Klamath River. Here’s the scoop for our 2023 plans!
We’ll meet at 9AM on Friday, June 2nd at Sluice Box River Access just downstream from the community of Seiad Valley. It’s 90 miles from Mt. Shasta, so your drive will begin a couple hours earlier. Click for a google map.
(In case of unexpected changes with river conditions, the Tree of Heaven section will be our alternative option. If this substitution is made, we will meet at the Tree of Heaven Campground on Highway 96. Click here for a google map.)
In either location, it will be a very full day. After checking in, distributing life jackets (PFDs) and organizing personal gear, we’ll arrange a shuttle to take several cars down river where the rafting day will end. Once the shuttle drivers return, introductions and a safety talk will lead us to the rafts and onto the day’s adventure!
Participants will bring their own lunch packed in sturdy plastic or metal containers to avoid being crushed in drybags and their personal river clothing (swimwear, sunglasses with strap, sun hats, river shoes or sandals with straps, and something warm for changeable spring weather–no back packs please). We will supply PFD’s and the rafting equipment for paddling the 10-12 mile stretch of class II-III whitewater (with experienced volunteer guides donating their time and rafting gear). We are asking for at least a $85/person donation. Children aged 9 and above accompanied by parents are welcome.
We’ll raft through the morning on a fun and absolutely lovely class II-III (“easy”) section of the Klamath River 8 miles down to Thompson Creek. Lunchtime will be in the shade along the banks of Thompson Creek. We have been welcomed, once again, to visit the 66 acre Thompson Creek property, about a quarter mile walk from our riverside picnic spot. This beautiful land is a Siskiyou Land Trust conservation easement where the pure cold waters of Thompson Creek are permanently protected.
We hope to see Glenn and Tina, owners of the 66 acre Thompson Creek property. If available, they will meet us for a tour of their property after our lunch break. The work they have done there is truly remarkable, and gets better every year! The hike up the creek is gorgeous, highlighted by a swimming hole for the polar bears amongst us! For details about this holding visit our Thompson Creek Project page.
We’ll then return to the rafts for the afternoon conclusion of our float down to Seattle Creek River Access, with take-out around 4PM.
This rafting day will be a wonderful opportunity to see an SLT conservation project in action. It will build community relationships and offer future opportunities to help in stewardship and the restoration of natural habitat. The requested minimum donation of $85 for each participant is a fundraiser for the work of SLT.
To reserve your spot, Click here for our Donation portal. The limited places on the rafts sell out quickly, so don’t hesitate.
- On the form, click Other Amount and specify $85 (or more if you wish) for each participant as your donation.
- Along with your credit card and contact details, please provide the height and weight of each participand you are registering (for PFD sizing) and let us know your vehicle capacity (number of seatbelts) for shuttle purposes.
Once you complete your donation, we’ll send you an email confirming your place on the trip, along with a map to get to the put-in (plan on 2 hours driving time from Mt. Shasta to this beautiful corner of Siskiyou County) and further suggestions on what to wear and bring for personal gear during the day.
If you have any questions about this rafting adventure, please contact SLT Board member and trip organizer Steve Bollock at 530-859-2884 (phone or text) or email siskiyoulandtrust@gmail.com. Thanks, and see you on the river!
