Originating from the melting snow. The Merced is a free flowing California river that usually runs from April to July. This depends on the amount of snow accumulated during the winter months. Situated in near proximity to the Yosemite National Park, the Merced River flows through a beautiful landscape. These are adorned with brilliantly colored wildflowers.
Rafting in the Merced River, California
Travelling over twenty nine miles to the Bagby reservoir. The Merced River is ideal for those looking for an intermediate level of whitewater rafting with a certain level of prior rafting experience. Divided primarily into the Upper Red Bud and the Lower Briceburg sections. The Merced offers plenty of Class IV whitewaters to those looking for adventurous river rafting experience.
Depending on your time on hand, you can opt for short term 2 day trips when you can experience rafting in both sections of the river. Whereas, the upper Red Bud area is characterized by serious rapids. Such as Nightmare Island, Hawaii 5.0, Ned’s Gulch and Stark Reality. The main rapids featuring in the Lower section include Corner Pocket, Split Rock and four other Class IV rapids forming the Quarter Mile.
With flows above 1000cfs, these rapids can be extremely risky unless one has an advanced level of whitewater rafting experience from before and is adequately geared to raft through the fast flowing waters.