Cal Salmon Butler Flat & Nordheimer Rafting - Class IV-V

Guided

Duration: 6 hours

Somes Bar

Features

Free Cancellation

On the Water

Instant Book

Shuttle Included

Locally Owned

$150 Person

Description

Cal Salmon & Nordheimer Full-Day Rafting Trip

If you’re an experienced boater, this springtime run — known locally as “the slamming salmon” — should be at the top of your list.

Nordheimer is the classic Class IV-V run of the Cal Salmon and has a general big water Class IV character with two larger Class V rapids sprinkled in. It includes notable rapids like Bloomer Falls (IV), Airplane Turn (IV), Cascade (V), Achilles Heel (IV), Last Chance (IV), and Freight Train (V), to name a few.

Our guides’ favorite is the Butler Ledge run, which starts off fast and furious with the Class III-IV “miracle mile.” Things ease up with more Class III+ pool drop action all the way through the Gapping Maw (IV+) and down to Wooley Creek. With the breathtaking scenery, exciting rapids, and remoteness, you’ll enjoy an experience of a lifetime on this run. You’ll need at least four people in your group to book this trip.

Duration

6 hours

Location / Where to Meet

We’ll meet you at the USFS Butler Ledge river access near Somes Bar, CA to put-in (41.33621441363708, -123.40677847637006). Our take-out will be Oak Bottom or Big Ike.

Ages

17+ for Nordheimer; 14+ for Butler Flat

What’s Included

A delicious organic deli-style lunch with smoked salmon, turkey, farm-fresh veggies, and homemade dessert
A shuttle from the take-out back to your car
All rafting gear, including life jacket, helmet, paddle, and water bottle; splash jacket, wetsuit, and booties will be provided as needed
An experienced, professional river guide to navigate you safely down the river
Dry bags for your personal items

Not Included

Gratuity

What to Bring / Wear

River-appropriate clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt for sun protection
Hat, with a strap to secure it
Old tennis shoes with rubber bottoms, river sandals, or water shoes. No flip flops, please! Flip flops can be dangerous on rafting trips and do not protect your feet.
Sunscreen
Sunglasses, with a strap to secure them
Reusable water bottle

FAQs

Do I need previous experience to do this trip?

To get into the Class V rapids, you’ll need previous paddling experience, and you’ll need to pass a swim/fitness test. Previous paddling experience is recommended but not required for Class IV rapids, as long as you can swim, are fit and adventurous, and ready to paddle hard.

Can I bring my camera or other personal belongings on the trip?

The river has a way of taking items from us, so if it’s not tied down or secured, you could lose it. General rule: don’t bring anything you’d hate to lose. Don’t wear expensive jewelry, don’t bring your only pair of prescription glasses, don’t bring electronics, and we don’t recommend bringing your phone (it doesn’t work in our area anyways). There is a professional photographer on the run, but if you’d like to document the trip and have a GoPro, consider using one of our helmets with a GoPro mount. If you’d like to bring your phone or camera, we’ll supply you with a dry bag.

Is the shuttle back to your car included?

Yes!

Are pets allowed?

We don’t recommend bringing your doggo on this ride. If you’d like to bring your pooch, we’d recommend booking a trip that’s Class III or lower.

What is the guide-to-guest ratio?

Our guide-to-guest ratio is typically 1:6

What is your weather policy?

The only reason a trip would be outright canceled is for wildfires and air quality/safety issues. Rain is normal, and we have all the gear needed to keep people warm and cozy. We have canceled trips due to snow but always check in with guests to see how they’d like to proceed. Some folks are happy rafting in the snow, so it really depends on the guest!

Can we book a private trip?

Any of our trips can be private or joined with another group. Six people fill a boat so if, for example, you’d like to book a private trip for two, the cost would be $900 ($150/pp x 6).

About the Outfitter

Our river guides / safety measures: All of the guides at Six Rivers Rafting are thoroughly trained and have a river or swiftwater rescue cert, an advanced first aid cert (usually of the wilderness variety), and a CPR cert. Guides also have completed a guide training/school and have proved proficient on all sections of the river they are taking clients on. The experience level of our guide team ranges from well over 20 years to first-year rock stars. Our guides tend to come back and work for us for many years, providing a wealth of experience and stability to our operation. All of our guides are also knowledgeable when it comes to river ecology and the surrounding wildlife. They passionately share information about local species, landmarks, and conservation issues in a friendly and interesting way.
Environmental impact: We make many efforts to reduce our waste. Food is packaged in reusable containers and served with real plates and silverware. Reusable water bottles allow us to hydrate without creating waste. Leftover food is turned into compost. All other waste is either recycled or reused at the owner’s house. (Plastic Ziploc bags can be cleaned and used over and over!)
Community impact: We are locally owned. As an active member in our community, we enjoy donating rafting gift certificates to local charities for their fundraising efforts. We love seeing our gift certificates generate income for the local Creekside Charter School and the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka! Plus, we get the added benefit of later enjoying the company of the gift certificate recipients!

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Six Rivers Rafting Inc.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations

Cancellations must be made at least 72 hours in advance of your trip's departure date in order to guarantee a full refund. A cancellation within 72 hours of your trip date may result in a partial refund, depending on if we are able to rebook the seats that we held for you.

If we are able to rebook, we happily do not charge. If we are unable to rebook, we unfortunately may have to collect a cancellation fee to cover our loss. If you fail to show up for your trip without contacting us in advance, you will be charged for the full amount. We understand that last-minute things come up, and we are happy to reschedule a trip at no additional cost for anyone charged the full amount for a canceled trip.

Availability

April 2025

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Reviews

Location

Address

Somes Bar, CA,

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