🧠PACKRAFTING TRAININGS NEAR YOSEMITE
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Packrafting Training on the Tuolumne & Cherry Creek
Learn the art of backcountry river travel in Yosemite’s wild canyons. Guided skill-building courses for paddlers and explorers.
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Discover the newest frontier in Sierra adventure.
Packrafting combines lightweight hiking with whitewater navigation — allowing access to places traditional rafts and kayaks can’t reach.
Our packrafting trainings are hands-on, wilderness-based experiences designed to teach river safety, paddling technique, and expedition planning in the spectacular Tuolumne and Cherry Creek watersheds.
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What You’ll Learn
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Our courses balance instruction, exploration, and real-time decision-making. You’ll gain experience in:
•    Reading moving water and river hazards
•    Packraft setup and repair
•    Swiftwater safety and self-rescue
•    Backcountry navigation and gear management
•    Expedition planning and environmental stewardship
These aren’t classroom sessions — they’re immersive backcountry adventures led by Sierra Mac’s veteran river guides.
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Course Options
Training Trip
Duration
Skill Level
Season
Intro to Packrafting – Tuolumne Canyon
1/2 Day
Beginner–Intermediate
July-October
Cherry Creek Whitewater Intensive
1 Day
Advanced
July-October
Private & Custom Trainings (Please Inquire)
1–3 Days
Tailored
All training trips include packrafts, paddles, helmets, and safety gear, plus meals and shuttle logistics. Group sizes are small for personalized instruction and a strong focus on safety.
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Where We Train
Tuolumne River — The Perfect Learning Ground
The upper Tuolumne offers a mix of calm stretches and moderate rapids, making it ideal for building confidence and technique.
Cherry Creek — Technical Wilderness Challenge
Known as one of the most intense commercial whitewater runs in the U.S., Cherry Creek provides advanced students the opportunity to apply refined skills in a spectacular granite canyon environment.
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Why Train With Sierra Mac
For over four decades, Sierra Mac River Trips has led professional whitewater expeditions in Yosemite’s backyard. Our guides bring deep local knowledge, safety expertise, and a love for teaching on the river.
Each training trip blends education and adventure, helping participants develop the confidence and competence to safely explore wild rivers on their own.
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Join a Training Trip
Ready to learn, paddle, and explore?
We’re now accepting 2025 packrafting training applications. Contact us to find the right program for your experience level and goals.