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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