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Ocoee’s Sunburst Rafting Inc. is predicting a white-hot whitewater season this spring and summer - as long as things don’t get too hot. “It looks like this will be one of the best summers ever for Ocoee rafting with all the rain we have had in the last couple of months,” said Josh White, a river guide with Sunburst Rafting. “We’d like to see a nice gradual warm-up so we can preserve water and get the longest season possible,” White said. “I don’t want to get too excited but I have never seem the river running this fast in the nine years I have been here.”

As of June 1, 2010, several of the Ocoee’s river drainages had average or above average snow-pack levels, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Although there are several companies that are allowed to send rafts down the river with river guides, it is Sunburst Rafting that gets the highest marks year after year. Sunburst Adventures pioneered the first commercial whitewater rafting trips on the Ocoee River. “While we set the standard for quality ocoee whitewater rafting trips, we don’t dare rest on our laurels!” said Josh White. After 32 years, we continue to offer superior service, quality facilities, and what we consider to be the best whitewater rafting guide staff on the Ocoee River! Our hand-picked, enthusiastic staff loves whitewater. Season after season, our expert guides deliver rafting trips full of wet, wild, and zany fun, balanced with tidbits of knowledge about the Ocoee River. Every aspect of your whitewater rafting journey is guaranteed to be filled with attention to detail, and a sizable dose of raft guide humor.

Located in the Cherokee National Forest, in Southeast Tennessee, the Ocoee River is a veritable hot bed of challenging whitewater rafting action. The Upper Ocoee River was even chosen as the course for the 1996 Olympic Summer Games! The Middle Ocoee River section is no slouch either, as it offers 5 miles of non-stop Class III and Class IV raging rapids. Nervous? Don’t be! While we can’t hold your hand on your whitewater rafting trip, our friendly office staff will walk you through the reservation process to ensure your experience with us runs smoothly, start to finish. Trip dates fill up quickly, so be sure to call 1-800-247-8388 to set up your whitewater rafting adventure on the Ocoee River!

Sunburst Adventures is THE ORIGINAL ocoee rafting outfitter on the Ocoee River. We are proud of the fact that we are still going strong after 32 years. Of course, we feel that we offer the best whitewater rafting trips on the Ocoee River. Other outfitters make the same claim, and in fact, there are some that are very good. If we are absolutely filled to capacity, we’ll be glad to refer you to another high quality outfitter.

“Our guides love whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River.” said White. “Any of our guides will tell you that, while they obviously have fun doing their job, it is far more rewarding to hear someone new to the Ocoee River experience rave about the great time they had with their friends. We constantly strive to make sure the Ocoee River impresses our guests the same way the river has made lifelong impressions on our staff.”

The Ocoee River offers the most exciting Tennessee whitewater rafting in the state. The Middle Ocoee River offers a bit of a thrill among nearly continuous whitewater. Notable Class III and IV rapids include:
Grumpy (Grumpy attempts to boot members off the raft right from the beginning. The abrupt start will challenge even the seasoned whitewater enthusiast. Grumpy rapid is a Class IV Rapid that quickly indicates the wild journey that lies ahead. ), Tablesaw: (The entire river is channeled into a narrow chute creating turbulence. The rapid, named for a large rock that bisected the current creating a rooster tail, no longer features the rock or roster tail due to flooding. Eddies adorn both sides of the chute making for great eddy hopping conditions.), Hell’s Hole: (Sights of the Powerhouse and bridge identify the beginning of the decent on Ocoee River’s most famous rapid. Rafters are encouraged to approach the hole from the left following eddies. It is not uncommon to see many paddlers surrounding Hell Hole. )

The Upper Ocoee River offers riders a more invigorating 5-mile ride with fewer, tougher rapids to overcome. The Class III and IV rapids along the Upper are sparse, but powerful. The distance between Mickey’s and Roach Motel makes up the Olympic challenge course.

Mickey’s: (Mickey’s is known as the largest rapid above the Olympics course, and is visible from the island in the middle of the river. To the right of the island is a chute that will fork, forcing riders to choose between a 5 foot ledge drop into a deep hole to the right, or a rocky descent down a four foot ledge. )

Humongous: (Humongous is the largest rapid on the Upper Ocoee’s Olympic course. The constricting river creates a large wave train which bisects at a large rock. Each side of the rock offers rafters a challenge. The left side will showcase eddies leading up to the riverbanks. The right side proves to be more challenging, as its eddies matched with large waves create a water plunging hydraulic. )

Roach Motel: (You will find Roach Motel shortly after passing through Humongous. The river will narrow and will drop three times into large offset holes. It is encouraged to stay right, as to avoid the largest center hole.
The Lower Ocoee is ideal for rafters looking for a calmer, family-friendly ride, and features mostly Class I and II rapids. Contact Sunburst today to reserve your spot on the water. )

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Some of the most spectacular fly fishing in the United States can be found in the state of Colorado. In fact, when many people think of fly fishing, they automatically think of Colorado before anyplace else. It is true that Colorado has some amazing fly fishing places that have some trophy-sized fish in them.

The Frying Pan River is well-known as one of the best fly fishing rivers in the entire state. This is a beautiful river with easy access. Located just outside of Aspen, the Frying Pan is host to a variety of trout including rainbow, brown and cutthroat. There are year-round hatches making fly fishing in any season possible for the avid fisherman.

Another great river in the Aspen area is the Roaring Fork. This diverse river varies from small and calm to large and mighty in places. The river is classified as wild trout waters and is easily accessible down the Rio Grande Trail. As with the “Pan”, year-round fishing is available. You will find mostly wild rainbow trout in the Fork with an occasional wild brook trout.

The North Platte River was once used by pioneers to traverse portions of the West. Indians hunted buffalo along its shores, and its fish population has made it a legend among fly fishers. It is located in Northwestern Colorado and has been rated a gold medal river by experts. You will find many trout in the waters of the Platte and be able to enjoy some beautiful scenery at the same time!

In the Vail area, you can fish the Colorado River which is located in the Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a river that is mostly wide and deep with a gently moving current. Cottonwood trees line the shore providing many hiding spaces for the brown trout that are abundant in this water.

The Arkansas River is located in the southwestern portion of the state and provides some great trout fishing for anglers. Mid-winter is a great time to fish the Arkansas for trout as is the spring time. Around Mother’s Day every year, many fishermen descend on the Arkansas for the annual caddis hatch which is huge. Brown trout feed on caddis and they come “out of the woodwork” for this hatch.

These are only a few of the places where fly fishing in Colorado is plentiful. The countryside is gorgeous and the fish plentiful. There are also lots of great lodges that accommodate fly fishermen on a year-round basis. Mother’s Day every year, many fishermen descend on the Arkansas for the annual caddis hatch which is huge. Brown trout feed on caddis and they come “out of the woodwork” for this hatch.
Fly fishing in Colorado might be the piece de resistance for many fishermen. Check out this great state and enjoy your adventure!

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Red River, New Mexico is home to one of the most
popular ski resorts in the United States, and has
been for many decades. The resort offers six chair
lifts and one surface lift, and the trails are equally
divided for beginners, intermediates, and experts.

Top elevation at Red River is 10354 feet, and the
vertical drop down the face of the mountain is 1601
feet. Unfortunately, it doesn’t snow much, and about
85% of the powder is man made. There are 58 trails
scattered over 247 acres. Red River is called the ‘ski
town of the Southwest.’

The resort has three restaurants, all of which offer
fabulous fare. Lodging can be obtained in cabins,
chalets, inns, or private condominiums in the area,
and many lodging packages, as well as ski packages
are available through Red River Central Reservations.
Red River also offers snow pass rates which allow
children to ski for free, and teens to ski at reduced
rates. This is a great way to save money on your
family ski vacation.

Red River also has a ski school, and group lessons
and private lessons are available. Even if you’ve never
skied before, you will quickly be on the slopes after
your lessons. There are even lessons for
snowboarders, who are welcome on the Red River
slopes. You can also rent all of your ski and
snowboarding equipment for very reasonable rates.

The nightlife in Red River is also great. After a day
on the slopes, you can kick back and relax at the
lodge, or visit one of the taverns in the area. For the
younger crowd, there is a great game room located
right in the center of the town. One of the great things
about Red River is that everything is within walking
distance of the lodging areas, and shuttles are
provided for transportation to and from the slopes.

You can also enjoy taking scenic chairlift rides,
hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping,
snow-mobiling, and hunting. You can even take one
of the jeep tours to go see the abandoned gold mines
in the area. So, even if you don’t ski, there is still
plenty of fun to be had at Red River Ski Resort.

Childcare is available while you spend your day on
the slopes. Your child will be well tended at the Li’l
Buckaroos Child Care Facility, and the center
provides lunch for your child as well. At Red River,
everything has been thought of and taken care of to
ensure that your ski vacation is as enjoyable as
possible.

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