NORTH LAKE TAHOE, California/Nevada July 14, 2010 – The dam gates are open and the river is flowing, and rafting along North Lake Tahoe's scenic Truckee River is now open.
Both Tahoe City-based Mountain Air Sports and the Truckee River Raft Company opened today, Wednesday, July 14, and are in full operation. The companies offer self-guided, leisurely five-mile floats down the Truckee River.
"Rafting the Truckee River is an absolute must-do every summer," said Director of Tourism Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. "It's also one of Lake Tahoe's most popular families activities because its gets all ages out on the water, introduces rafting to the kids, and, of course, gets all parties wet on a warm, sunny day."
Most trips take two to three hours to complete, with patrons exiting at River Ranch Lodge near Alpine Meadows Road along Highway 89. Guests can park in Tahoe City and take free shuttles back to their vehicles after the float anytime before 6 p.m. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily (weather permitting) and footwear is mandatory. Trips include parking, shuttle, paddles, life jackets and commercial rafts for 2-20 people. Group rates are available.
"We've got a place for the tourists to go," said Owner Aaron Rudnick of Truckee River Raft Company. "We've also got more than 80 employees that can now start working their summer jobs full time. Everything is right with the universe and we are where we need to be. We look forward to getting people floating down the river."
According Chad Blanchard, chief deputy water master, currently 200 cubic feet per second is being released from the Tahoe City Dam, Lake Tahoe's only water outlet, which may increase due to the drops in the natural flow and snowmelt.
One of the best ways to end a day on the river is dining alfresco at one of North Lake Tahoe's premier restaurants. River Ranch Lodge is always a favorite, especially with its outdoor patio that gives guests a front row seat to rafters exiting the Truckee River. Locals rave about the pulled pork sandwich served on a ciabatta with bleu cheese coleslaw and Southern barbeque sauce. River Grill in Tahoe City is also a hotspot and has one of Lake Tahoe's best happy hours. Definitely try the macaroni and cheese with applewood smoked bacon, tomato and New York sharp white cheddar. And for some of the best margaritas in town, head to the historic Blue Agave in Tahoe City and take a load off where Baby Face Nelson hid out from the authorities back in Tahoe's heyday.
After dinner, North Lake Tahoe pulls out all the stops with free live music outdoors every night of the week, except Mondays, all part of the destination's new High Notes – North Tahoe's Summerlong Music Series, running now through August. Ticketed events are also plentiful and include headliner performances as part of the Lake Tahoe Music Festival and the Sand Harbor Music Series, which is located at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival's picturesque venue along the East Shore.
For more information about rafting, dining and lodging in North Lake Tahoe, click to www.GoTahoeNorth.com, and www.TahoeHighNotes.com for a complete list of free and ticketed musical performances, festivals and headliners.
North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations, recreation and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3296 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, work together to promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.
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