PREPARE TO GET WET LATE SNOW IN SIERRAS STIRS UP THE WHITEWATER RAPIDS.

Byline: BILL BECHER

KINGS RIVER, Sequoia National Forest - Whitewater enthusiasts received an extra blessing from Mother Nature in the form of runoff from late-season snowstorms that is making for an outstanding rafting season.

I joined 26 rafters on a one-day trip with Kings River Expeditions from their base camp in the Sequoia National Forest east of Fresno.

River rafting is a way even non-outdoors people safely can experience an adventure with only a few minutes of training. Company outings, family trips, church groups and Boy and Girl Scout troops make up a lot of the business, said Tim Wedemeyer, a guide with Kings River Expeditions.

Many people come for a two-day trip and spend the weekend camping and rafting. A favorite feature of the weekend trips is the evening campfire program with songs and skits presented by the guides with help from customers.

But today, the guides are talking about the water. The guides might be more excited than the customers about the great conditions, said Justin Butchert, who bought the company in 1978 at the age of 21.

``Today, you're going rafting on the highest water in all California,'' Butchert said. ``It's going to be fast. And fun.''

It should be safe, too. None of the three commercial rafting companies on the Kings River has had a customer drown, according to Butchert.

Most of the guides are college students from Fresno State with four years or more of river-guiding experience. Rivers are rated from flat Class I water to wild, unrunnable Class VI. The section of the Kings River we're on is rated Class III, meaning it's suitable for families but provides lots of thrills.

The trip starts with a safety talk and introduction to paddling by Wedemeyer. He asks how many have been on the trip before; half raise their hands. Repeat customers are a big part of the business, Butchert said.

After a lunch prepared by the guides, we board a bus for the 45-minute drive to the starting point of our 10 1/2-mile river run. At the launch spot, we don personal flotation devices, grab a paddle and are ready to push off. Almost immediately we're in the first of more than 20 rapids with names like Wild Wolf Chute, Banzai Hole, Bump City and Coyote Joe's.

Wedemeyer has taken rafters as young as 6 and as old as 85 down river. Each boat can carry six paddlers and a guide. This is definitely a hands-on experience. The rafters tug hard on paddles as the guides shout instructions to paddle forward, back-paddle or rest as we negotiate the rocks and runs.

Getting wet is definitely part of the experience as the rafts smash into haystacks of water created by the roaring river. Judging by the smiles and yells, everyone's having major fun.

Splash fights are common. A few paddlers jump into the river in a calmer section but are soon back in the rafts. Most paddlers are wearing wet suits. The chilly water was snow yesterday.

The Kings River in the Sierra foothills above Pine Flat Reservoir is one of the last sections of wild, undammed river available to rafters. It's also undeveloped, as it passes through the Sierra and Sequoia national forests. The late snows mean the hills are green and brilliant with wild flowers. Feisty wild rainbow trout inhabit the river, so anglers should bring tackle for some after-rafting fishing.

The rafting season on the Kings River begins in late March, but it can be cold and rainy then. High season starts on Mother's Day, when conditions often are ideal: hot and sunny with cold water and not many people on the river.

This year, rafting could continue with good water until mid-July because of the late-season snowfalls, Wedemeyer said.

Our adventure ends with a big finish. A rapid called Rooster Tail is a wave train that pitches the rafts in a bucking bronco ride that will be part of future family memories.

Tom Griffin, his wife, Suzan, and their two daughters, Julie and Katie, loved the experience despite some initial reluctance from Suzan.

``Mom only gets wet in the shower,'' Katie said.

``Even though I'm a scaredy cat, I enjoyed it,'' Suzan said.

Julie said: ``It's like bonding, and you don't have to talk to each other.''

IF YOU GO

Kings River Expeditions can accommodate individuals and groups up to 72. There are openings on this season's trips. One-day trips cost $90 to $225 depending on season, day and start time and include one or two meals. Two-day trips cost from $175 to $355 and include lunches, dinner and breakfast. A video of your two-day adventure is available for purchase, as are photos on all trips.

Senior, group and youth discounts are available. Tents, wet suits, paddle jacket and booties are available for rent.

Call [phone] for information and reservations or visit www.kingsriver.com

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Photo:

(1) Kings River Expeditions has taken rafters as young as 6 and as old as 85 down the Kings River in the Sequoia National Forest east of Fresno.

(2) From left, Suzan Griffin and daughter Julie enjoy some quality family time rafting down a Kings River swelled by snow runoff.

Bill Becher/Special to the Daily News

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IF YOU GO (see text)