By The Mountain Mutt, aka Wendy Lautner, wlautner@TahoeRenoOnline.com
July 10, 2007

Looking to ride a frothier stretch of water than Lake Tahoe's postcard-perfect, placid blue? Consider the Truckee River, which drains the Lake starting at Tahoe City and empties into Pyramid Lake east of Reno. The river (although low this year) contains reasonable recreation opportunities ending with the $1.5 million Wingfield Whitewater Park in Downtown Reno.

The gear

The gear you need depends on where you go. Floaters can rent watercraft from Truckee River Raft Rental (530-583-0123) or Fanny Bridge Raft Rental (530-583-3021), both located in Tahoe City. Folks thinking of taking on a more challenging stretch of river should invest in a helmet, lifejacket and specially designed hard shell or inflatable kayaks, check out Tahoe Whitewater Tours, with locations in both Reno and Tahoe City, for rentals (800-442-7238).

For Floaters

From Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City to River Ranch at the base of Alpine Meadows, the river is littered with floaters on any given summer day. Floaters launch from the bridge in either their own personal craft or a rental and meander the 3-mile, milky blue waters. The section is classified Class I, which means the current is mostly flat and there are very few rapids and hazards. Probably the biggest danger is the amount of alcohol floaters normally consume during their river trips, and the rocky rapid at the River Ranch. Life jackets are encouraged on this stretch, though not required.

Don't go near it

Seventeen miles of rocky, shallow Class II lie between River Ranch and Boca Bridge east of the city of Truckee. Winter rains and spring runoff can often pump enough water into this section to create on-the-fly play waves and fun, challenging Class III rapids. However, in the summer months paddlers and floaters tend to avoid this section due to the lack of water and low angle of gradient.

Splashy fun

Boca Bridge to Floriston is the most popular section of whitewater commercially run in rafts and available for whitewater kayakers as well. Tahoe Whitewater Tours and Tributary Whitewater Tours (530-346-6812) run rafting and inflatable kayak trips. The section begins with a couple of lazy Class II miles before excitement picks up greatly with three back-to-back rapids near the Floriston exit. Bronco, Jaws and Pinball are considered Class III and or IV rapids and paddlers should be wearing lifejackets, helmets and should have some river reading skills before tackling these rapids. Additionally, the riverbed (particularly through the three biggest rapids) is littered with sharp, metal debris in some areas and can be dangerous to swim.

"Don't go down there with an inner tube and six-pack or you might die," said Andrew Laughlin, owner of Tahoe City Kayak. Tahoe City Kayak (530-581-4336) does not guide trips on the Truckee, but does offer kayaking instruction on Lake Tahoe as well as some whitewater accessory gear.

From Floriston to Wingfield Park in Reno, the river character continues to be similar. Access points are available in Verdi and Mayberry Park. The Truckee continues through the town of Reno.

Whitewater Park

In 2003, the City of Reno built a whitewater park consisting of two channels which begins at the intersections of Arlington and First Streets. Paddlers seeking the thrill of playboating, or looking to complete tricks like spins, cartwheels and loops, should navigate the left channel. Five features, consisting of powerful hydraulics like shallow holes to glassy waves, dominate the left channel. Kayakers should have some skill before venturing into this channel and should be comfortable with a river roll (righting the kayak after it has tipped over). The right channel is designed for slalom paddlers who are interested in honing river running skills by completing eddy turns and negotiating boulders in the riverbed. Sierra Adventures, (866-323-8928) located right on the Truckee River on First Street, offers lessons, rentals and adventure packages. Tahoe Whitewater and Tahoe Whitewater Tours also offer guided trips in Wingfield Park.

* Wendy Lautner is a lifelong writer and adventurer. As a college student on that notorious "break," she migrated to the beautiful Lake Tahoe area from Michigan at around the turn of the century. Ever since, her life has revolved around the weather patterns - following the powder when it snows, the rivers when it rains or melts and the trails when everything dries out. If it's active and fun, Wendy's been there or will be there soon!