So, you want to take a rafting trip? Choosing the perfect trip should be a breeze, right? You hop on our website, start browsing through trip details, and realize something pretty quickly. There is a LOT of information to consider when choosing the perfect rafting trip! Questions like “What will I do and see on this trip?”, “What time of year is best for rafting?”, and “Are trips family friendly?” are all swirling around in your head with each page click. You want to make a… Read More
The following is an adapted section from Rivers of an Unknown Land: A Whitewater Guide to the Former Soviet Union. The author Vladimir Gavrilov will be leading a trip to these rivers in July of 2016. Rating: Class III-IV (some IV+) Boating season: July to September Put in: Town of Sofiysk Take out: Town of Urgal Put in elevation: Approximately 1600m (5248ft) Trip length: 323km (200mi) Route time: 15-17 days Logistics: From Moscow to Khabarovsk by plane, to Sofiysk by plane or train and truck. From… Read More
When river guides banter around the campfire, conversation usually turns to the biggest rapids and the best river trips in the world. Although everyone has their favorites, the list of legendary rivers is almost always the same. 1. Middle Fork of the Salmon River (Idaho) In my opinion, the “Middle Fork” is the best river trip in the world due to its 100 miles of continuous Class III and IV whitewater, clean water, great camps, world class fishing, hot springs, and abundant wildlife. It ends in… Read More
Length: 52-miles Class: mostly Class II – IV Current Flow: around 4,000 cfs Character: Grassy desert canyon Put-in: Warm Springs Take out: Maupin The Deschutes River flows through one of Oregon’s most beautiful desert canyons. The upper section of the Lower Deschutes is a 52-mile run from Warm Springs to Maupin that offers Class II – IV rapids and provides a wonderful mix of relaxation and adventure for novice and seasoned boaters alike. The first 8 miles of river are pretty flat, perfect for trying out Standup Paddleboarding or… Read More
“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.” – Edward Abbey The Wild & Scenic Chetco River flows through the heart of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. It’s one of the most rugged and yet fragile wild areas I’ve ever experienced. Its fragility lies in the fact that it’s in a state of natural recovery from the 2002 Biscuit Fire and that its refugia for rare plants, wild salmon and steelhead and some… Read More
The Elk River in Oregon is one of the five federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers located in the Siskiyou Mountains (Rogue, Illinois, Chetco, Smith, and Elk). It’s the smallest and least known of the group but has the same “oustandingly remarkable values” of the other four. Difficulty: Class IV Length: 11.5 Miles Put-in: Butler Bar Take-Out: Elk River Fish Hatchery Gradient: 38 fpm Flow: Call (541) 332-0405. Photos below taken at 4 feet. This section of the Elk River has the Grassy Knob Wilderness to… Read More
Kayakers usually opt to run the the Lower Wind in the summer at low-water when the big drops at Shipherd Falls are clean. During winter and spring flows, Shipherd Falls isn’t runnable by most paddlers, and it’s difficult to portage. Dificulty: Class IV+ Length: 5 Miles Gradient: 56 fpm Put-in: High Bridge Take-out: Old Hatchery Road Season: Winter and Spring for Rafting/Kayaking. Kayaks at lower summer flows. The Lower Wind run begins just above High Bridge at the take-out for the classic Upper Wind. Combining the… Read More
Washington’s Upper Wind River is a classic Class IV+ to V (flow dependent) river in the Columbia Gorge. It’s popular with rafters and kayakers for its nearly continuous whitewater, easy shuttle, and beautiful canyon. This is a good place to test your abilities and get some practice if you’re looking to get into Class V boating. Difficulty: Class IV+ to V Length: 6 Miles Gradient: 87 fpm Put-In: Stabler Take-Out: High Bridge Flow: 4.5 to 6.5 feet on the Wind River at Stabler gauge. Class V… Read More
Difficulty: Class III (one IV) Length: 35 miles Flows: 1,000 to 10,000 cfs at Agness Put-in: Grave Creek Take-out: Foster Bar Gradient: 15 ft/mi The Rogue River is one of the great river trips of North America. The U.S. Congress included the Rogue as one of the original eight “charter” rivers to receive protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968. A trip down the Rogue River is memorable for its fun Class II and III rapids, lush green scenery, warm water, and abundant… Read More
The West Fork of the Hood River is the best Class IV run in the Columbia Gorge. It has consistently fun rapids, two beautiful basalt gorges, and is fun at a wide variety of flows. Most people take-out just above Punchbowl Falls, which is a great lower leg work out for kayakers and a rope challenge for rafters. Difficulty: Class IV Length: 5.5 miles Gradient: 82 fpm Put-In: Lake Branch Take-Out: Punchbowl Falls Flow: 4.5 to 7 feet Hood River at Tucker Bridge. Class V at… Read More