Permaculture Paddle (and cycle) through the Redwoods on the Smith River

Would you like to take a permaculture themed tour on the largest undammed river in the continental US, and through the grandest forest Earth? Undammed rivers, old growth forests, and the cultures that have stewarded them for millennia can demonstrate permaculture principles and the patterns of nature in uniquely powerful ways. I am very fortunate to get to guide such trips through my good friend Adam’s company, Redwood Rides. I would love to share this amazing area of NW California with fellow permies, and Adam is open to offering these permaculture themed trips at a discount. Ask for Ben Zumeta and a permaculture paddle, cycling tour, or
a combined “multi-sport” trip when booking at:

https://www.redwoodrides.com/

Redwood rides can rent out all the gear you need for kayaking and cycling based trips, which are my specialties. The “Redwood Run” is an 8-mi stretch with class 1-2 rapids (doable for beginners and fun for all) that starts in the diverse and dramatic Siskiyou serpentine ecosystem, then runs through the world’s highest biomass forest in the old growth redwoods. This run can also be broken into two 4mi half day trips (upper and lower). I can also row a raft through this section if that is preferred.

One of my favorite kind of days to lead are “multi-sport”. On multi-sport trips we cycle through the old growth forest on an old stage coach road surrounded by an old growth redwood forest with 18 of the 30 tallest trees on Earth in the morning. We then eat a nice lunch by the river before setting out on the upper Redwood Run by boat. I rarely feel more fortunate than when sharing these amazing places from a bike and a boat in the same day.

For those looking for a more challenging paddle, I also lead trips on the Middle Fork of the Smith with class 3 rapids amidst where the diverse Siskiyou serpentine and redwood ecosystems converge. This is a beautiful run with epic swimming holes and unbelievably clear water.

Redwood Rides also provides gear and guides for big water rafting, which gets up to class 5 on upper stretches of the Smith. We have other guides who are world class big water river runners, and excellent naturalists in their own right. I can generally hang in up to class 4, but only like to guide class 3 and below. We also offer coastal trail rides (which I also lead), and shuttling for self guided trips. I hope to get to share this beautiful place with you sometime!