Klamath
Location: Northern California (about 280 miles north of San Francisco; about 260 miles south of Portland.
Length of trips: 13 to 29 miles in one or two days.
Season: Year-round but busiest from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. The water flow usually peaks in winter.
Weather: Rainfall is heavy from late autumn through winter, when temperatures range from 15° to 50°F. Late spring often sees temperatures in the mid- to upper 70s, with clear skies and gentle breezes. Summer temperatures range from 75° to 105°, then drop into the 80s in early autumn.
Lodging: Camping on sandy riverside beaches when the water is low. Also area lodges and campgrounds, as well as hotels and motels in nearby Yreka.
Boats: Kayaks, oar boats, paddle rafts.
Rapids: Class II to V. The clear water warms up to about 70° in summer.
Special features:
- As the Klamath approaches the Pacific, the forest gets thicker and more coniferous.
- Wildflowers from April through August.
- Swimming in summer.
- Breathtaking fall colors.
- River otters, muskrats, beavers, raccoon, ringtails, gray foxes, striped skunks, spotted skunks, black-tailed deer, black bears, Roosevelt elk, bats, ospreys, great blue herons, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, kingfishers, red-tailed hawks, hummingbirds.
- Suitable for rafters of all levels, families, seniors in good physical condition, and the physically challenged who are comfortable in and around the water.
Nearby excursions:
- Marble Mountain Wilderness.
- Pacific Coast Trail.
- Kelsey National Recreation Trail.
- Clear Creek National Recreation Trail.
For a list of outfitters and more information:
- USDA Forest Service, Klamath National Forest, Happy Camp Ranger District, P.O. Box 377, Happy Camp, California 96039-0377; +1 916 493 2243, fax +1 916 493 2212. Try to book at least two weeks in advance.
- USDA Forest Service, Klamath National Forest, Ukonom Ranger District, P.O. Box 410, Orleans, California 95556-0410; +1 916 627 3291, fax +1 916 627 3401. Try to book at least two weeks in advance.
For more information:
- California Division of Tourism, 801 K Street, Sacramento, California 95814; +1 916 322 2881 or 800 862 2543, fax +1 916 322 3402.
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