death is certain. It is for this reason most locals will not willingly even try to ride it before June. American River Carson River Cosumnes River Eel River Feather River Kaweah River Kern River Kings River- Cuts through a very deep canyon. Overall class I-V rapids, depending on section as this river is quite large with many tributaries. Portions of the river are part of Kings Canyon National Park and also flow through Sierra National Forest which abuts the national park directly; the most challenging whitewater is normally not accessible except by hiking or horseback. Portions of the river and its tributaries were used for the 1972 Slalom Olympic Trials. Was designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1987. North Fork Kings River, class V. South Fork Kings River, including Garlic Falls, Class V. Middle Fork Kings River III-V+ Dinkey Creek-Class V. Merced River Klamath River Mokelumne River Napa River Russian River Sacramento River-This river is one of the most important rivers of Northern California. It begins in the Klamath Mountains and cuts right through downtown Sacramento, the state capital of California. It then turns west where it empties out near Oakland, a distance of over 400 miles. Although it has several sections that are heavily dammed for agriculture nearer the San Joaquin River Delta, others like the Upper Sacramento near Mount Shasta range class II-IV. Smith River Stanislaus River Trinity River Truckee River Tuolumne River This river partially enters Yosemite National Park and once played a role in the now-gone Hetch Hetchy Valley. Its classification is I-V+. One section was not considered navigable until as late as 1983, and requires multiple portages of waterfalls that are too dangerous for kayakers in particular. This river requires overall that a rafter or kayaker knows how to swim, and many sections are in areas that are remote. Cherry Creek Class V-VI. For advanced kayakers and canoes only. Clavey River, Class V+. Clavey can only be accessed by hiking to the put in, and it is a wild 20.8 mile ride. Colorado and Utah Animas River Arkansas River - a big river, with many sections ranging from Class I to V, popular with kayakers and with commercial rafting companies. Numerous runs of all difficulty. Probably the most frequently run and one of the best rivers in Colorado. Boulder Creek Cache La Poudre River - Colorado's only federally designated Wild and Scenic River