After you go on a Rogue River rafting trip, you might want to take an extra day or two to explore this beautiful part of Oregon. In my previous blog, I suggested an itinerary that included a trip to Crater Lake and visits to waterfalls. This time I’m suggesting spending a couple of days along the Oregon Coast. Day 1 – Drive to Galice + Arrange a Car Shuttle It’s about a 4-hour drive from Portland to the meeting place for the trip, Galice Resort. We… Read More
This week I got to know former raft guide and current co-owner of Serenade, Kaela Fox. She and her partner (& fiancé!) Austin organize beautiful events in and around Portland, combining their two passions: local food and local music. Once a year they bring those two lovely elements to our Serenade Rogue River trip, making for an incredible feast of the senses. 1. When did you start working as a river guide? I started working for ECHO River Trips in 2011. As the child of former… Read More
I’m often asked by guests about what type of footwear they should bring on their river trip. It’s a good idea to have river shoes that stay on your feet and separate camp shoes that are comfortable for hiking or wearing around camp. While technically any shoe that will stay strapped to your foot will work, here are my top picks. River Shoes: Astral Footwear Astral Shoes are our guide’s favorite do-it-all shoe. You can easily go from rafting to hiking with these river shoes. My… Read More
Our 4-day Rogue River overnight trip packs in plenty of excitement, relaxation, nature’s beauty, and quality time with family and friends for one vacation. If you would like to extend your trip, I have a great road-trip itinerary suggestion below. This route follows along the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway. Crater Lake National Park After leaving Galice Resort and saying goodbye to your guides, it’s time to head towards the iconic Crater Lake National Park. The only National Park in the state of Oregon, this beautiful park… Read More
The Rogue River is one of the best multi-day river trips in the world. Here are the top 5 reasons we love paddling it in the spring. 1. Incredibly Green & Lush The canyon surrounding the Rogue River is always green, but in the spring it is so incredibly lush! The Rogue River is a wonderful river for day hikes and the vegetation in the spring makes it even more lovely. 2. Waterfalls The many side creeks that flow into the Rogue are gushing with rainwater… Read More
We offer three different types of rafts: oar boats, paddle boats, and inflatable kayaks (aka “duckies”). On your trip registration you will be asked about what percentage of the trip you would like to be in each type of boat. This is just an estimation for us that allows us to make informed decisions about which boats to bring. It’s typical to switch boats each day as you make new friends and get more comfortable on the river. The Oar Raft These large rafts carry all… Read More
Dressing comfortably and fashionably for overnight river trips requires a little advance planning. You will want clothes to wear on the river and in camp. On the River 2+ Shorts or Swimsuits 2+ Shirts Lightweight Wool or Polypro Shirt River Shoes or River Sandals Hat for Sun Protection Sunscreen & Lip Balm Water Bottle with Locking Carabiner Sunglasses with Strap River Clothes: For your daytime river outfit, you’ll want quick-drying clothes so that you don’t feel soggy all day. Wearing shorts with a lightweight long or… Read More
It’s almost rafting season again! I’m back in the office this week after being away for the winter, and as I start to answer the phones again, I realize I’m often asked the same questions. Here is a list of the most common ones! What should I wear? For most of our trips in the summer, the weather is typically warm and sunny. We recommend wearing synthetic-fabric shorts, sandals, and either a short-sleeve or long-sleeved quick-drying shirt. I personally like long-sleeves, as they keep my fair… Read More
Wearing comfortable, functional clothing is important in a wild environment, but dressing fashionably (AKA, looking “steezy”) is also important. stee·zy adj. 1. a combination of style and ease 2. wearing appropriate clothing for a frolic in the woods and looking proper 3. dressing fashionably for a wilderness adventure without much effort v. steezing, -ify [example: “Ryan looks steezy wearing that pataguch hoody”] On the River: Base Layers First we’ll start with the functional part of your wardrobe. Your very first layer could be a swimsuit or… Read More
At the end of August, I was able to join the last Middle Fork of the Salmon trip of the year. It was my first time down this river that I have heard so much about. It was an incredible trip that I will never forget. I left my house near Hood River, Oregon early on Tuesday morning. I headed East towards the Boise Airport to pick up ECHO co-founder and Idaho Whitewater-legend, Joe Daly. We slowly wound up the steep mountain roads, straight into the… Read More