Familiar with the NorCal Russian River area?

[e9999]

drove through quickly last time on the way back from the PNW. Looked really nice to spend a week or 2 of lazy time camping with the family. Big trees. Floating down the river and all. Am I right? Suggestions on where and what to do?

Also, any nice wheeling area not too far for a bit more excitement?

[Fast Eddy]

Originally Posted by e9999

drove through quickly last time on the way back from the PNW. Looked really nice to spend a week or 2 of lazy time camping with the family. Big trees. Floating down the river and all. Am I right? Suggestions on where and what to do?

Also, any nice wheeling area not too far for a bit more excitement?

As with anywhere in Cali this year there's not much water. Some Boy Scouts I know recently made the trek from Geyserville to Guernville or Duncan's Mills. There was some portage. It would be a good trip if you got out there soon. There's lots to do on the way there and back, being in the wine country. These are the outfitters you want to call:

http://www.riversedgekayakandcanoe.com/

For 4x4 you could hit up Cow Mountain a bit north in Ukiah. It's big and will be hot this time of year.

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ukiah/cowmtn.1.html

[dustin]

I prefer the Healdsburgh part of the river more than the lower half because of all the awesome wine tasting. But the lower part of the river is beautiful as well. It can get a little, umm, less kept toward Guerneville. But theres a bunch of camp sites along the river in that area. Its can be a pretty easy going, grab a six pack and float down the river kinda scene. Nice and relaxing. Theres also a great camp area west of Guernville, like due west. A big state park with camping, which I forget the name of. We've camped there a few times and then done the burkes canoe rental thing. Good times. This camp site is not near the river, but has its own set of awesome features.

cheers!
Dustin

[e9999]

that sounds much more civilized than I remember when I noticed the Russian River while driving back from up North. Is there maybe an area farther up North where the river flows that is more rugged and without all these vineyards. I'm thinking near one of these redwood areas, IIRC.

[dirtfinder]

In my opinion the river is broken into three parts: above Cloverdale is the most rugged with some white water and rocky terrain...also the cleanest water and hottest weather.

Second, you have the main section Healdsburgh to Monte Rio, most of the boating, swimming, and tourism happens in this stretch, most canoe operators are here and do day trips, this is also the stretch with multiple dams.

Lastly, Monte Rio to the ocean, this is my favorite part, the number of people on the river drops dramatically, the river gets wide, although it gets windy and may have fog I believe it to be the most scenic part. Monte Rio to the Rivers End would be my choice trip.

[Fast Eddy]

Originally Posted by dirtfinder

In my opinion the river is broken into three parts: above Cloverdale is the most rugged with some white water and rocky terrain...also the cleanest water and hottest weather.

There's not enough water above Cloverdale to canoe. Certainly not this year, at this time.

Originally Posted by dirtfinder

Second, you have the main section Healdsburgh to Monte Rio, most of the boating, swimming, and tourism happens in this stretch, most canoe operators are here and do day trips, this is also the stretch with multiple dams.

You mean Asti (below Cloverdale) to Healdsburg, I think. There's not enough water between Asti and Geyserville to canoe this year. You can go from Geyserville to Hbg with some portage. There's one dam at Palomar and one at Healdsburg, but none below there until Guernville.

Originally Posted by dirtfinder

Lastly, Monte Rio to the ocean, this is my favorite part, the number of people on the river drops dramatically, the river gets wide, although it gets windy and may have fog I believe it to be the most scenic part. Monte Rio to the Rivers End would be my choice trip.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone canoeing below Duncan's Mills; a few kayakers though. That's probably the furthest the canoe rental shuttle goes. Canoing down at the River's End at Jenner would be really cool. There's a large bird sanctuary island in the river and Sea Lion's at the mouth of the river, and you could pull out in Jenner and eat/buy beer.

[PabloVTA]

Do a brewery tour!

Screw the wineries, that's so 1995.