During the summer, employees and their families took advantage of Landmark Construction’s close proximity to some of the best white water rafting in the country. The company hosted the trip on the South Fork on the American River from Chili Bar Dam to Folsom Lake.
This trip was chock-full of adventure when you look at the numbers:
- 30 Rafters
- 21 Miles
- 7 Hours on the river
- II & III Class/level rapids
According to Ellen Kelton, Preconstruction Manager, Landmark Construction, participants quickly learned to work together as they battled through rapids aptly named Meat Grinder, Triple Threat and Troublemaker. “Under the supervision of an experienced guide, each raft of approximately six employees and their families learned quickly to work in harmony or suffer immediate (very wet) consequences,” said Kelton. “The all-day rafting trip was full of thrills and terrors, with conditions ranging from tranquil to Class III rapids.”
At mid-day the group stopped for lunch on shore where they could admire the scenery and do some exploring on foot. As they moved downstream, they encountered other challenging rapids known as Satan’s Cesspool, Bouncing Rock and Hospital Bar.
The American River Canyon is where gold was first discovered in California and started the explosive growth of the state fueled by gold-fever. There are still some signs of mining operations along the river. In addition to the historical significance, many of the canyons are only accessible by water so the rafters enjoyed rare views of pristine nature as they paddled through deep ravines.
The company trip started out with camping overnight in Coloma, explained Kelton. “We camped the previous night along the American River, made s’mores and relaxed around the campfire,” said Kelton.
The trip was offered to all team members who wanted to participate, and Landmark Construction covered all the fees for employees and families.
“Everyone had a great time and enjoyed sharing the experience,” said Kelton. “It was the experience of a lifetime, packed into 21 miles.”