Middle Fork American River

The Middle Fork is steeped in history, especially from the time of the Gold Rush in the 1800s. Prospectors flooded the region in search of gold, and their efforts have left over 1,500 relics scattered throughout the canyon. One of the most fascinating pieces of history is Tunnel Chute, a man-made rapid created by miners. In their quest for gold, they blasted a tunnel through the mountain and diverted the river, allowing them to mine the horseshoe bend, where large amounts of gold had collected. This effort led to one of the biggest gold discoveries in the California foothills.
Even today, you can find remnants of this era, from old buggy wagons to powerhouses, that hint at the gold-driven frenzy that once consumed the canyon. Tunnel Chute is not only a thrill for rafters but also a living piece of history, reminding visitors of the ingenuity and determination of the miners who shaped the landscape.