Since 1972, Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions has been offering the best of California's Rivers to those lucky ones who are willing to take the challenge...And the lucky ones have been many... from the seven year old who will forever have great memories of her family's whitewater outing to the 75 year old grandfather who claimed that his rafting trip was one of the highlights of his life.

Something magical happens both during and after a river trip. In many cases the memories of a particular trip are even more special than the trip itself...feelings to draw upon and relive for a lifetime.

Zephyr has changed a lot since 1972. We now use state of the art self-bailing rafts designed for whitewater rafting instead of military surplus "bucket boats" our guides wear Teva river sandals and hi-tech river shorts instead of cut-off Levi's (which never seemed to dry) and bare feet; our busses are painted, inspected annually by the California Highway Patrol and our food is "river gourmet"!

Our philosophy, however, has not changed at all. Our reason for being in this business is the same as it has always been...we get great joy in seeing our guests experience magic. We also take great pleasure in being able to experience that magic ourselves.

So join us, open yourself to adventure. For those of you who have been before, we invite you to reaffirm that special feeling which you know so well. For first timers, get out of that old routine, if only for a day, and experience the extraordinary.

Sincerely,

Bob, Jane, Nathan & Adam Ferguson and the Zephyr Staff

American River
The South Fork of the American River is a great introduction to the sport of whitewater rafting. This river is ideal for first-timers and families. A good solid Class 3 run with over 20 major rapids, its course will take you through the small mining town of Coloma, where James Marshall first discoverd gold at Sutters Mill and changed the course of California history. Calm sections are interspersed with wonderfully fun rapids and the excitement comes to a head in the last 3 miles of river known as "The Gorge". This river is excellent for either the veteran or novice.

Our trips are run in cooperation with our associate outfitter, Mariah Wilderness Expeditions, and utilize a private campsite right on the river with all facilities including hot showers and flush toilets. So come join us on the American River in the heart of California's historical Motherlode.

Kings River (Summer Trips)
Originating high in the Central Sierra Nevadas near Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park, the Kings River is the largest river in the region. Undammed and unspoiled, the Kings truly is one of the most scenic rivers in the West. A big water river without the technical difficulty of the Tuolumne or Merced, the Kings is suitable for both the first timer and the advanced rafter. Later in the season, when the water level slows down, the Kings is great for families and kids. Located due east of Fresno, the Kings is an easy drive from either Northern or Southern California.

Trips are run out of our beautiful 5 acre base camp right on the banks of the river. Arrive the evening before your trip, set up your campsite and relax on the banks of the Kings River. Two-day trips include 2 nights of camping, 2 full days of rafting (20 miles), and 5 meals. One-day trips include one night camping, one full day of rafting, and 2 meals.

1/2 DAY VALUE TRIPS meet at 11:30.a.m., the day of your trip, and include lunch, the full afternoon of rafting the full 10 miles of river, and snacks and beverages at trip's end. These special Value Trips are designed specifically for our guests in the Fresno/Visalia area, and provide a low cost full river experience for those with time and budget constraints. Sorry, no camping is available at our base camp for 1/2 day Value Trips. There are other campgrounds in the area that can be used... please call our office for information on other campgrounds.

The Kings river is also relatively close to the Los Angeles area. The round trip drive is about 6 hours shorter than going up to the American River. We are convinced that our Kings River programs are the finest rafting-camping value to be found anywhere.

Note: During Spring runoff, the Kings is one of the most powerful rivers in the state. Waves can reach heights of 10 feet and more, with very fast current and intense hydraulics. We recommend that people who book during this period be in good physical condition. Wetsuits are required on all trips through June 15 (July 1 in high water years). Wetsuits and paddle jackets are provided by ZEPHYR at no extra charge.

Get ready for a wet and wild ride! These 3 awesome rivers offer some of the best whitewater in the world, and are just a few hours drive from both Los Angeles and San Francisco. First time rafters are welcome, (except on the North Fork Stanislaus where previous paddle experience is required), but must be in good physical condition and able to swim.
NOTE: The Tuolumne River has limited starting dates.

Tuolumne River
Our finest wilderness rafting experience, this shining jewel of a waterway was designated by Congress as a national Wild and Scenic River in 1984. Whenever our clients on other rivers ask our guides which river to do next, the Tuolumne is usually the river mentioned.

The Tuolumne River (pronounced too-all-o-me) is a magical 18 mile corridor, boasting long, tantalizing class IV rapids, wondrous side creeks and wide, sandy beaches for camping. Unlike most of our other rivers, the Tuolumne is not accessible by road during the entire trip. Thus, all necessary gear is taken with us on the rafts. Rapids such as Rams Head, Steamboat, Cabin, Hells Kitchen and the granddaddy of them all, Clavey Falls, will stir the blood of any rafter, veteran or novice.

Trips range in length from one to three days. All trips cover the full 18 miles of river, but the more time spent in the canyon, the better. Our three-day trips allow time to enjoy two enchanting side creeks (we normally camp at both on the three day trip) where deep pool swimming holes are interconnected with jacuzzi pools. Three-day trips also let you test the extended culinary talents of our guides.

At trip's end, our boom truck will arrive to winch up all the boats and gear from the river to Wards Ferry Bridge, allowing you time to enjoy a cold beverage before you depart for civilization.

The Forest Service limits commercial launches to 2 starts per day to assure trip quality on this National Wild and Scenic River. Zephyr has many launch dates available for the 1999 season. Please call our office for exact start dates.

Merced River
The Merced River tumbles and twists out of Yosemite Valley, gradually mellowing into a runnable river just below the town of El Portal. It is here that our trips begin. Offering abundant whitewater confined by a narrow corridor, this river is a must for the whitewater enthusiast. Indeed, the Merced offers one of the best paddle-boat trips in California.

For part of its course, the river follows the old Yosemite railroad bed, passing abandoned gold mines and water flumes. Our overnight trips included the famed "Quarter Mile Rapid"... over 500 yards of exceptional white water. Just below this intense section is a 20 foot waterfall which we must portage (a portage necessitates lining or carrying the rafts around the obstacle. Full passenger participation is required).

Note: In high water years, the lower section of the river (including quarter mile rapid and North Fork Falls) is too dangerous to run from May into Mid-June. During those periods, after breakfast the second day, we shuttle up-river and begin our second day one mile above our first day put-in. This "Redbud" section offers excellent class IV whitewater. We then continue downstream to Briceburg where our trip ends around 5:00 PM.
Special Camping: Our meeting spot for all Merced trips is Bear Creek Trading Post, located 45 minutes from the Highway 140 entrance to Yosemite Valley, and only 8 miles from the quaint town of Mariposa. Behind the trading post is our private campground, which is for the exclusive use of ZEPHYR clients. You are welcome to camp here the night before and/or the night after your river trip. The fee is $5.00 per person per night, and one hot shower and serviced toilets are provided. Because camping in this area close to Yosemite is very hard to find, we feel fortunate to be able to provide our guests with the only guaranteed camping in the area. We are the only whitewater outfitter that can offer you this amenity.
For reservations, call the ZEPHYR office at 1-800-431-3636.
Note... if you are on one of our 2-day river trips, camping the night of the trip is on-river at our wilderness campsite and is included in trip price.

Trips on the Merced River begin and end close to the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite Valley, and a visit to this national treasure can easily be incorporated with your rafting trip. Our staff has spent a lot of time in Yosemite, and we would be happy to help you with lodging information, hiking trails, things not to miss, good restaurants, etc.
Just give us a call, or e-mail us!!

Kings River (Spring Trips)
Note that during Spring runoff, the Kings is one of the most powerful rivers in the state. Waves can reach heights of 10 feet and more, with very fast current and intense hydraulics. We recommend that people who book during this period be in good physical condition. See the description above for more information about the Kings River.

While we consider all of our trips "special", the special trip listed below takes advantage of one of the most scenic spots in the entire world... Yosemite Valley. This extended trip combines the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers, and allows you extra time to shed the stresses of everyday life, and to eat really well!!!! Starting dates on these trips are limited; please call our office for exact trip dates.

Yosemite Special
Our launching point for trips on both the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers are just outside Yosemite National Park, and a trip down either of these rivers can easily be combined with a visit to Yosemite.

With this in mind, we offer our Yosemite Whitewater Special. Raft the Merced River, follow that with a night and a day in Yosemite Valley, follow that with two days rafting on the Tuolumne River and you have an unforgetable whitewater vacation package.

Options range from a minimum of one day on the Merced and two on the Tuolumne for a total of three days; or you can do two days on the Merced, spend one or two days exploring the wonders of Yosemite, followed by two days on the Tuolumne for a five or six day vacation. Build your own vacation package!

Our two river schools are taught by our staff of trained professionals in a supportive and inclusive environment. Our whitewater school is geared for those who wish to become commercial river guides, and also for those who just want to gain knowledge for personal river trips. Our Kayak school is an excellent "hands on" experience in your own personal water craft.

Whitewater School
Our 6 day whitewater school takes place on the Kings river in early spring. Our staff of trained professionals will teach you all the basics, including techniques for guiding both paddle and oar-powered rafts, various knots used in the sport, rigging, and camp cookery. River appreciation, interpretation, safety, and river etiquette are also emphasized.

Our school is for both men and women of all ages (minimum age 18) who are interested in either gaining knowledge for independent river touring, or who have a desire to become a commercial white-water river guide. Each year, depending on staff needs, Zephyr hires quite a few of its new guides directly from this school. We maintain a 4:1 trainer/trainee ratio which allows plenty of time for individual attention and precise instruction. Feel free to call our office for a white-water school information packet.