Considering doing a multi-day Yosemite white water rafting trip? Wondering what it entails and what you should plan on bringing? Here are a few packing tips and tricks to help make your rafting adventure rock.Multi-day trips are a unique way to enter and experience the Yosemite back country. … [Read more...]
Fresh Delicious Meals Served on the River
Nothing builds a hearty appetite like a day of paddling whitewater. The shared excitement and adrenaline demand quality calories. We have learned to prepare for large appetites. Enjoying a meal on the shore of a sparkling river is an integral part of all our trips, and is the perfect way to … [Read more...]
Yosemite Rafting Trip Videos
Capture Some Memories Bring your rafting trip home with you - or share it online! Demand bragging rights on social media! Show it to your grand kids!Sierra Mac now offers video of your rafting trip on the Main Tuolumne or Cherry Creek. $100-140 per boat buys a 4-5 minute edited video or raw … [Read more...]
Tuolumne River Campground Guide
Where to Camp near our Main Tuolumne and Cherry Creek Rafting TripsMany of our Main Tuolumne and Upper Tuolumne/Cherry Creek rafting guests ask about the location of campgrounds where they might stay before or after their trip. We now offer camping at our meeting location, please inquire! This … [Read more...]
Merced River Rafting Camping Guide
Looking for a good campsite on your Merced River rafting trip? There are several excellent options for camping along the Merced as it flows downstream outside Yosemite National Park. Guests on spring and summer rafting trips often choose to overnight at nearby campgrounds before or after their … [Read more...]
Yosemite Waterfall Season
Springtime is waterfall season in Yosemite National Park. The snow pack and warming temperatures create a spectacular display of flowing water. Yosemite's waterfalls usually reach their fullest capacity in May of each year as snow in the high country is melting, this can vary depending on each … [Read more...]
Make Mine a Schlitz
Beer and rafting go way back. In the 1970's, Schlitz Beer commissioned some local talent for a commercial highlighting the exciting world of whitewater rafting. It features Sierra Mac founder Marty McDonnell, as well as Joe Daly and Dick Linford of Echo River Trips. Still looks like a lot of fun. So … [Read more...]
Tuolumne River Rafting History
Sierra Mac River Trips was the first commercial outfitter to lead rafting trips on both the Main Tuolumne (1969) and Merced rivers. In 1973 owner Marty McDonnell pioneered rafting on the Cherry Creek/Upper Tuolumne section, upping the bar for class V rafting in California.Rivers have always … [Read more...]
California River Photography
Most of the rafting photos that you see on our website were shot by the photographers of Picture This/Rapid Shooters. Owner Mark Leder-Adams has been shooting California rivers since the 1980's, first on the American River and its forks, then later focusing his lens on the Kern, Merced, Tuolumne, … [Read more...]
Yosemite Lodging Options
The meeting spots for Sierra Mac's Tuolumne and Cherry Creek rafting trips are located about halfway between the town of Groveland, California and Yosemite's Big Oak Flat Entrance Station on State Hwy 120. In addition to lodging located within Yosemite National Park, which can be very busy during … [Read more...]