Q-Tip: Rafting the East Carson

This week's "Q-Tip" is about traveling down the East Carson River on a white-water, raft trip.

This is the time of the year that water enthusiasts are attracted to traveling down the highly-popular East Fork of the Carson River, also known as the East Carson.

The East Carson begins in the high country of California and then joins the West Carson in Carson Valley to become the main Carson River.

That small river is very popular with commercial rafters, private rafters, kayakers, canoers, etc., particularly the very scenic, 20-mile section between Hangman's Bridge, just out of Bridgeport, Calif. and the old broken dam, just out Gardnerville.

If you are interested in that river, the Carson Ranger District Office of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has a special publication for sale at $2.50 per copy.

That publication is called "The East Fork of The Carson River".

It contains detailed information about traveling on the East Carson River including: The history of the river, access information, known hazards, camping locations, building fires, drinking the river water, etc.

Steve Hale of the Carson office advises, "The river is not flowing that high at the present time, as the run-off has not started, and the commercial rafters have not yet begun operations, however, they are boking trips."

Any early-season, private rafters are strongly advised to scout the river first, to remember to check in with the U. S. Forest Service and to always use caution whenever rafting that section of the river.

For those individuals who are interested in booking a white water trip with a commercial guide, the following is the 2003 list of U.S.F.S. authorized commercial river rafting outfitters for the East Carson River:

-- American River Recreation, P.O. Box 465, Lotus, Calif., 95651 - (800) 333-7238.

-- ARTA River Trips, 24000 Casa Loma Road, Groveland, Calif., 95321 - (800) 323-2782.

-- Current Adventures, P.O. Box 828, Lotus, Calif., 95651 - (888) 4-KAYAKING.

-- Get Outfitters, Inc., 4338 S. Carson St., Carson City, 89701 -- 885-7773.

-- Tahoe Whitewater Tours, P.O. Box 7466, Tahoe City, Calif., 96415 - (530) 581-2441.

-- Tributary Whitewater Tours, 20480 Woodbury Drive, Grass Valley Calif., 95949 - (800) 672-3846.

For information, call the Carson Ranger District Office at 882-2766 during regular business hours.