Our Yosemite Rafting Blog features true tales of Tuolumne River rafting, Merced River rafting, and Cherry Creek rafting; the rivers of Yosemite National Park.
What to Pack for Multi-day Yosemite Rafting Trips
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...]
Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite
All New Yosemite Resort Looking for deluxe lodging or an outstanding restaurant before or after your rafting trip? The new Rush Creek Lodge has it all. This brand new contemporary resort is located on Hwy 120 just minutes from both Yosemite National Park and Sierra Mac River Trips' meeting spots … [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...]
Sierra storms bring peak flows to Yosemite Rivers
The storm systems that have been impacting the Sierra continue to bring record-breaking precipitation, with some areas seeing as much as 14 feet of snow in the last 2 weeks. Yosemite issued a mandatory evacuation on the 7th, the Merced River in Yosemite Valley reached flood stage, above ten feet on … [Read more...]