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California
Come April, the melting snow in the high California Sierra begins feeding the world-famous rafting rivers of the lower Sierra. The South Fork of the American is a raging beacon, one of those rivers that you just have to run some time in your life. Expect fun Class III and III+ whitewater—challenging, but not heart-stopping, so a good first river. According to Eric Grathwol of OARS, an outfit that runs regular trips down the river, "The South Fork of the American is exciting enough to entertain and enthuse even the most seasoned boaters." The American River flows through California's historic gold country, which these days offers an enticing range of food, lodging, and wines with big personalities.