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Reno River Festival: Whitewater on the Truckee |
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Written by Tahoe World staff
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Tuesday, 06 May 2008 |
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Drive north on Highway 89 from Lake Tahoe in the summer and you’re bound to see hundreds if not thousands of brightly colored rafts and other inflatable devices on the river, but the four-mile stretch of the Truckee form Tahoe to River Ranch is more of a leisurely float than a whitewater adventure.
But make the trip downstream to where the pent-up waters of Stampede and Boca reservoirs flow into the river and you’ll see another side of the Truckee — the side that whitewater rafters and kayakers love.
The exciting Boca to Floriston run includes seven miles of class II to class III whitewater, with a section of class III+ rapids in the last mile. Though the river parallels Interstate 80, the highway is far enough away that it’s easy to forget you are not in the middle of the wilderness on this stretch of the Truckee.
Further downstream, some rafting companies put in at Verdi, Nev., for a stretch of the Truckee that includes plenty of class II whitewater including the “Gorilla Falls” and “Powerhouse” rapids.
 And there’s always the Truckee River Whitewater Park in downtown Reno, built in the midst of Reno’s casinos and emerging downtown scene, which offers a series of man-made rapids and pools suitable for beginners but fun for more experienced river rats as well.
Whitewater tour companies
Tahoe Whitewater Tours
(800) 442-7238 or (530) 581-2441
www.gowhitewater.com
All Tahoe Whitewater adventures begin at the Tahoe Whitewater Boathouse just outside of Tahoe City at the bottom of Alpine Meadows Road, where we will start a scenic drive downstream to begin your adventure. Half-day whitewater trips depart two times daily at 8:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. from the Boathouse.
TRUCKEE RIVER
(four trips to choose from)
The Boca Run — TWT’s most popular run is a half-day, Class III tour from Boca to Floriston. This tour starts gently, then the rapids build to an exciting finish in the Floriston Gorge. Just 25 minutes north of Lake Tahoe makes this river easily accessible.
The Verdi Run — Just 20 minutes west of Reno, the half-day Verdi run offers Class II white water excitement with such rapids as “Gorilla Falls” and “Powerhouse.” You pass by the site of the Great Train Robbery on this river run. Its closeness to Reno makes it an easy outing for those vacationing there. Run in the spring only.
The Reno Run — A milder recreational half-day tour can be taken into and right through downtown Reno. TWT runs occasional diversion dams, which add excitement to this Class II stretch of white water. Run in the spring only.
 The Farad Run — During higher water in the spring and early summer, a full day of Class III-IV water can be taken in the Lower Truckee Canyon below Floriston. This is a trip for adrenaline junkies who really want to go for it.
Tributary Whitewater Tours
(800) 672-3846 or (530) 346-6812
www.whitewatertours.com
TRUCKEE RIVER
(Boca to Floriston)
Class II-III+
7 mi. (1/2 day)
Run from Memorial Weekend through September
Reservations are required (especially for July 4 weekend)
Meeting Locations/Times: The meeting location is off Hwy. 267, just south of Truckee. During the peak season, 2 trips a day are scheduled, at 9:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Before mid-June and after Labor Day weekend, there is just 1 trip a day at 12:30 p.m.
Photos by Keith Sheffield/Tahoe World
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