Stephen Regenold
Pros pick America's best whitewater rides
Brian Jennings, a 28-year-old professional kayaker and river guide, was raised in the whitewater mecca of Fayetteville, West Virginia. "I learned how to read whitewater while learning to read a book," he said.
Indeed, Jennings grew up in a raft, assisting as a guide from age 12 on, and paddling the explosive New River and Gauley River, two of the country's most renowned whitewater runs. He switched from raft to kayak at age 21, employing his whitewater sense to paddle him to pro-level competitions beginning in 2003...
Pros pick America's best whitewater rides
Brian Jennings, a 28-year-old professional kayaker and river guide, was raised in the whitewater mecca of Fayetteville, West Virginia. "I learned how to read whitewater while learning to read a book," he said.
Indeed, Jennings grew up in a raft, assisting as a guide from age 12 on, and paddling the explosive New River and Gauley River, two of the country's most renowned whitewater runs. He switched from raft to kayak at age 21, employing his whitewater sense to paddle him to pro-level competitions beginning in 2003...
Stephen Regenold
Pros pick America's best whitewater rides
Brian Jennings, a 28-year-old professional kayaker and river guide, was raised in the whitew... more
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1
Gauley Rive
West Virginia
Among the most popular advanced whitewater runs in the east, the Gauley River flows with force year-round, providing a rare all-season river for whitewater kayakers and rafters. Brian Jennings, a 28-year-old professional kayaker who grew up on the Gauley, said the range of rapids—from rock-laden technical drops to big water with large standing waves—makes the river among his personal favorites. "Rapids like Pillow Rock provide spectacular lines and spectacular crashes," he said.
2
Middle Fork, Salmon River
Idaho
Ranked among the Lower 48's premier multi-day whitewater trips, a journey down the Middle Fork of the Salmon includes jaw-dropping mountain scenery, numerous natural hot springs, and premier fly-fishing pools. Oh, and there's also some whitewater. Rafters and kayakers can spend three or more days paddling this northeast-flowing waterway, which goes for more than 100 miles to its junction with the Salmon River proper.
3
Grand Canyon Section, Colorado River
Arizona
Rafting the Grand Canyon is North America's ultimate river trip, a journey that can take up to two weeks, with rock walls towering thousands of feet overhead and whitewater exploding all around. For millions of years, the Colorado River has carved at the Arizona desert to make this canyon.
4
South Fork, American River
California
"Meatgrinder." "Troublemaker." "Satan's Cesspool." These are among the named rapids on the tumultuous American River, which flows from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and through valleys east of Sacramento. Andrew Griffith, a former rafting guide from San Francisco, said the American is one of the best day-trip rivers anywhere. "There are lots of Class III [intermediate] rapids, which is about the highest you want to start any beginner on," he said. "It's good whitewater, but not so scary you can't laugh and have a good time."
5
Kennebec River
Maine
Running from the deep woods of northern Maine 150 miles straight south to the ocean, the Kennebec was used for decades by loggers to ship timber. Today, its whitewater attracts rafters and kayakers alike to sample deep canyons, healthy rapids, and turning leaves in the autumn. Russell Walters, a whitewater guide from Kingfield, Maine, said beginners through advanced paddlers can all find something on the Kennebec.
6
Middle Fork, Feather River
California
With slides and drops through a Sierra granite landscape, California's Middle Fork of the Feather River is a legendary and expert kayak run. Graham Charles, a 25-year veteran of the canoe and kayaking industries, said the river's remoteness and honest hard whitewater in a wilderness setting makes it unique. AmericanWhitewater.org describes a section of this archetypical river as "a giant U-shape granite channel hundreds of feet deep with perfect bedrock ledge drops and green water."
7
Upper Youghiogheny River
Maryland
Dropping at a rate of 115 feet per mile at its max, the Upper Youghiogheny River generates some of the region's most intense whitewater for rafting, including Class V rapids, which are the top of the scale. There are more than 20 named sets of rapids on the Upper Yough (pronounced: Yock). Ian Anderson, a former raft guide in the area, said National Falls, an eight-foot drop with a gnarly hole at the bottom, is one highlight of the trip.
8
Westwater Canyon Section, Colorado River
Utah
If you can't spend the money or the time to run the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River through Westwater Canyon near Moab, Utah, is a fine alternative, according to Ian Anderson, a former rafting guide. Anderson calls Westwater the perfect two-day trip. "It's a 17-mile canyon with spectacular red sandstone walls, idyllic beach camping, cool side hikes, and an exciting stretch of Class IV rapids to punctuate the trip," he said.
9
Mokelumne River
California
AmericanWhitewater.org describes a section of this expert kayaking stream as "rock-dodging, piton-riddled action that eventually gives way to one of California's most treasured gems." Indeed, this steep creek, recommended by Graham Charles, a 25-year veteran of the canoe and kayaking industries, features relentless rapids and amazing scenery for more than 20 mountainous miles.
10
New River
West Virginia
Meandering through its namesake New River Gorge, this archetypal whitewater river provides more than 50 miles of rafting or kayaking potential. The upper New has long pools and relatively easy rapids, up to Class III. The lower sections of the river, often called the Lower Gorge, boasts, according to the National Park Service, "the biggest of the big, with rapids ranging in difficulty from Class III to Class V." Large boulders, powerful currents, crosscurrents, and hydraulics are all part of the adventure.
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