White Water Summer (1987)

Sean Astin stars in this epic outdoor adventure as Alan, a slightly nerdy city boy whose parents see fit to sign him up for a guided hiking trip led by the seemingly-cool Vic (Kevin Bacon). Joined by three other boys, Vic leads Alan into the wilderness to teach them survival skills and how to rely on themselves. However, Vic pushes Alan too far and he pushes back - which leads to a deadly predicament. This little-known film (with an awesome soundtrack) was mostly shot in northeastern California, around the town of Quincy. Oddly enough, the filmmakers traveled all the way to New Zealand to film some of the wilderness and rafting scenes. By the way, the majority of the film was shot in 1985 but scenes of Astin narrating the film from New York were shot and added just prior to its release in 1987.

Vic is seen walking across Brooklyn Bridge toward Manhattan.

GPS Coordinates:

40.706075,-73.996847

We also see him crossing Columbus Avenue toward Lincoln Center.

GPS Coordinates:

40.771794,-73.982892

The driving montage as they head out into the backcountry was filmed along the Feather Creek Highway (Highway 70). Here, they emerge from the tunnel at Cresta Dam.

GPS Coordinates:

39.876244,-121.372592

This bridge is on the Feather Creek Highway (Highway 70).

GPS Coordinates:

39.899825,-121.359293

They pass under a railroad bridge on the Feather Creek Highway.

GPS Coordinates:

39.936568,-121.315761

The gas station where they stock up for supplies is along Highway 89 in Cromberg, CA. Now it is a private residence and bears little resemblance to the film.

GPS Coordinates:

39.860472,-120.690184

The swing bridge was built specifically for the film somewhere in New Zealand.

The lake campground where Alan rows out to the island was Gold Lake Campground in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area.

Vic teaches Alan and the other boys how to rock climb on the foreboding "Devil's Tooth" - actually the Sierra Buttes off Highway 49 north of Sierra City, CA. What they carefully disguise in the film is that there is a road going to the top, which also has a fire lookout. The Sardine Lakes are seen behind them in many shots.

GPS Coordinates:

39.593484,-120.645983

River canoeing scenes took place in New Zealand, including this shot going over Aniwhenua Falls on the Rangitaiki River. Skippers Canyon on the Shotover River was also used.

The final shot of the film as it goes to credits is Alan walking across the NW corner of Central Park near the Great Hill.

GPS Coordinates:

40.797738,-73.958523

Google Map

(See attachment below)

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