If you are a [...]]]> American Whitewater is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to conserve and restore America’s whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.” For those of us that love to paddle whitewater, they are the key organization to restoring boatable river flows and access to the places we love.

If you are a whitewater rafter, kayaker, catarafter, tuber, stand-up paddleboarder, riverboarder, Paco-pader, Zorber, and/or swimmer you should become a member to support this fine group of people who work to protect the rivers you enjoy. It’s just $35/year to join and your membership includes a subscription to the legendary American Whitewater Journal full of the latest and greatest articles about river conservation, exploration, and safety. You can even opt to download the journal as a PDF and save a few trees!

Our Cover Story for the AW Journal in the May/April 2012 Issue

I’m especially grateful for American Whitewater’s contributions to the removal of the Condit Dam on the White Salmon River in Southern Washington. It’s the second biggest dam removal in history, and once fully removed this fall, will open up a new section of whitewater just a few miles from the NWRC office. This is just one example of the fine work American Whitewater does to support my (and your) insatiable need to go kayaking and rafting. They could be working to restore your next favorite run as we speak!

The White Salmon River after the removal of Condit Dam

American Whitewater is not only working hard here in the Pacific Northwest, but throughout the entire United States. In addition to working to remove dams they participate in negotiations to restore boat-able flows on rivers regulated by dams. They also work to protect free-flowing rivers by keeping an eye on new proposed dams, bringing more rivers into the Wild and Scenic Rivers system, and making sure that rivers already in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System are well managed.

Please take a few moments and join today to support AW’s current and future projects.

Whether you’re brand new to boats and paddles [...]]]> This has been a busy month for rowing instruction near our world headquarters (aka Hood River Center for Whitewater Excellence). Generating an interest in anything river related is our number goal of our custom private instruction and we are eager to help you learn the ropes.

Rowing on the Hood River

Whether you’re brand new to boats and paddles or have some experience under your belt, we’re more than wiling to cater your instruction to fit your needs. From one day to three, you’ll spend your morning and afternoon on one of two beautiful rivers near our office in Hood River, Oregon. The White Salmon flows through a beautiful forested canyon and is filled with both easy and challenging rapids – it’s the perfect playground for boaters looking to enhance their skills. The Hood River is another scenic river in the area and offers unrivaled opportunities to learn the basics.

For more details, check out our private instruction page.

Our day trips are [...]]]> We couldn’t have asked for a better weekend in the end of April. Sunny skies and warm weather, along with blossoming orchards along the drive. We even had the perfect water level for a great run – everything came together for an excellent day to raft the West Fork last Saturday.

Rafting the West Fork in April

Our day trips are in full swing and we’re happy to have people join us on the river. We’ve expanded our offerings considerably and are excited to offer White Salmon trips, Hood River trips as well as custom private instruction. Join one of our guides and learn the basic fundamentals or hone your skills.

One of our private instruction students posing for a picture

We’ll meet at our office in Hood River (aka “Hood River Center of Whitewater Excellence”) [...]]]> On Saturday we’ll be running the West Fork of the Hood River, our favorite Class IV run in the Columbia Gorge. This is an action packed river has many Class IV rapids in a beautiful canyon with 2 basalt gorges.

Low Water (4.5 feet) on the West Fork of the Hood

We’ll meet at our office in Hood River (aka “Hood River Center of Whitewater Excellence”) at 10 AM, put on some warm clothes, and then drive 30 minutes up to put-in. We’ll spend a couple hours on the water and then take part in an “adventurous, athletic” take-out above the scenic Punchbowl Falls.

To reserve a spot, call us at (541) 450-9855 or click here.

Date: April 7th, 2012
What: Double Run of the Upper Wind River
Cost: $125 for both runs or $85 for single run

The Wind is a challenging Class IV – V river and the perfect start [...]]]> We’re starting the rafting season on April 7th with a double run of Washington’s Upper Wind River!

Date: April 7th, 2012
What: Double Run of the Upper Wind River
Cost: $125 for both runs or $85 for single run

The Wind is a challenging Class IV – V river and the perfect start to our river season! We’ve been training all winter on the Wind and competed at the Wind River Festival last weekend in preparation.

Exciting Photo Taken During a Winter Training Run on the Wind River

Please call us at (541) 450-9855 with any questions.

The most exciting race was the hardshell kayak mass start with over 25 kayakers starting at the same [...]]]> Last Saturday we competed in the 5th Annual Wind River Festival near Stabler, Washington. This is an annual event to celebrate this river by paddling down in as fast as possible in a raft, kayak, or cataraft!

Whitewater Boaters Gather for the 5th Annual Wind River Festival

The most exciting race was the hardshell kayak mass start with over 25 kayakers starting at the same time!

The Beginning of the Kayak Race

The race course is about 3 miles and passes through many challenging Class IV and V rapids. After the races all the participants and safety boats paddled the remaining 2 miles to the take-out and a wonderful party hosted by Next Adventure and the Oregon Rafting Team.

Rafts Battle For Position

Results

Kayak Long Boat Men: Tyler Houck
Kayak Short Boat Men: Louis Geltman
Kayak Long Boat Women: Christie Glissmeyer
Kayak Short Boat Women: Kim Russell
R-2 Raft: Tim Brink and Matt Lindland (Oregon Rafting Team)
Cataraft: Zach Collier

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” [...]]]> 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 wildlife.

Camping across from Kelsey Creek on the Rogue River

Rogue River Permits are required year-round to raft the Wild section below Grave Creek. You can also book a trip with a professional commercial outfitter.

Most groups meet at the Galice Resort, a general store, restaurant, and place to stay located on the banks of the Rogue River. You can get last minute items, arrange car shuttles, and have breakfast before shoving off. From Galice, it’s about 5 miles West to the Smullin Visitor Center (commonly known as Rand) where your trip leader will pick up the river permit and associated paperwork.

From Rand you’ll drive further West on Galice Road until you cross the Grave Creek bridge and the most popular put-in for the Wild section of the Rogue River. Remember to be respectful of the other boaters and don’t crowd the ramp at Grave Creek. Just below the launch site are the first few rapids of the trip: Upper Grave Creek Falls and Lower Grave Creek Falls.

Kayaking Lower Grave Creek Falls

Next, you’ll travel through a peaceful section of the river that leads up to the famous Rainey Falls, a great spot to watch for leaping salmon or steelhead.

Rainey Falls

At mile 1.8, you should pull over on river left to scout Rainey Falls.There are three very distinct routes at flows up to about 5,000 cfs. The main falls is an abrupt 8 foot drop into a nasty hole that is run by a select few daredevils. Most people run the “fish ladder” which is a channel on the far right bank just big enough for rafts. There is a more challenging, but cleaner “mid chute” that most experienced boaters choose. At flows above 5,000 cfs other options open up and you should scout to pick your line.

Rafting Through the Mid-Chute at Rainey Falls

Soon after Rainey Falls there are many great camps and a few good rapids including Tyee and Wildcat. After Wildcat, the camps thin out, so if you pass it be prepared to cover more ground before nightfall. This section of the Rogue until Black Bar has wonderful Class II and III rapids including Slim Pickens. Big Windy Creek is a great place to stop to swim in a beautiful creek and take in the beauty of the Rogue River.

Lunch at Big Windy Creek

At mile 8.5, you’ll reach the Class III Upper Black Bar Falls and Lower Black Bar Falls. Black Bar Lodge, the first wilderness lodge along the Rogue River, is located just below these rapids on river left. There are a few campgrounds just past the lodge including Horseshoe Bend, which is a popular spot for its size and panoramic views.

Horseshoe Bend on the Rogue River

Soon after Horseshoe Bend, you’ll reach the stunning Kelsey Canyon. This is a narrow, rocky canyon and you should keep your eyes open for Kelsey Creek which enters the river in a dramatic fashion on river right. Just past Kelsey Creek you’ll find many small camps and some larger camps including Battle Bar and Missouri.

At mile 19.5, you’ll reach the Rogue River Ranch and Mule Creek. This is a very popular lunch spot and campsite so please be ready to make friends and be respectful of other groups. There is a museum here (known as the Rogue River Ranch) that is worth visiting and it’s always fun to go for a swim in Mule Creek.

Camping at the Mouth of Mule Creek

Soon after Mule Creek the whitewater picks up as you enter Mule Creek Canyon, a mile long channel with narrow walls and swirling cauldrons of water. The entrance (known as Jaws) has a few big rocks on the right that you must go left of, and then maneuver back right to avoid the wall and a decent sized hole.

Kayaking Mule Creek Canyon on the Rogue River

The canyon is nearly impossible to describe in words, so I won’t even bother trying but you should have Class III skills to make it through and make sure your PFD is cinched tight. A swim here can be long and unpleasant, as there isn’t much room to maneuver large rafts in order to pick up swimmers. The crux of Mule Creek Canyon is known as Coffee Pot, a narrow spot in the canyon with a powerful, boily rapid.

The Coffee Pot in Mule Creek Canyon

The rapids end soon after Coffee Pot when you reach Stair Creek Falls, which cascades into the river on the left. This is a great place to stop, celebrate life, and take a few photos. More excitement is not far away.

Stair Creek

At mile 22.7 you’ll reach Blossom Bar, a ferocious Class IV rapid. You should pull over on the right side and walk down to scout.

The Calm Water Before Blossom Bar

Most people run the left side by making a tricky ferry into a narrow chute. The consequences of a mistake are big here as you can end up in a jumble of rocks known as the Picket Fence where there are plenty of places to wrap. The rocks are dangerous and undercut, this is definitely not a place to take a swim. After the tricky move, there are more rocks to avoid including the famous Volkswagen Rock.

Making the Maneuver Through the Entrance of Blossom Bar Rapid

There is a nice big eddy on the left after Blossom Bar where you can recover and celebrate before running Devil’s Stair, a challenging Class III rapid. Below here you’ll start seeing jet boats that come from Gold Beach for tours of the Rogue River.

At mile 23.5 you’ll pass the famous Paradise Lodge. This is probably the most popular lodge on the Rogue River and open to rafters for a comfortable night at a lodge instead of camping. Visit the Paradise Lodge website for more information about reservations. The recently closed Half Moon Bar Lodge is just past Paradise Lodge on river left. Below here is the beautiful and peaceful Huggins Canyon.

Enjoying the Serenity of Huggins Canyon on the Rogue River

The next few miles have some fun rapids as well as many camps and small lodges typically used for the last night of river trips. Solitude and Tacoma Camps are among the most popular large sites, but there are many wonderful smaller campsites in this section of the Rogue.

Lower Solitude is a Popular Camp for the Last Night

At mile 30.5 you’ll see Flora Dell Creek on river right, a popular stop for lunch on the last day because of a beautiful waterfall a quick hike from the river. This section of the river is also commonly known as the Flora Dell Flats because it’s a long section of flat water through a beautiful canyon.

Flora Dell Creek

At mile 35 you’ll reach the end of your Rogue River trip at Foster Bar. The ramp here can get quite crowded so please work quickly, take a small space, and work well with others. There are dumpsters you can use to throw your trash away and a Scat Machine for cleaning river toilets. Please be respectful of the Scat Machine by only putting human waste and toilet paper in your river toilet.

Logistics: From Foster Bar you’ll head back to Galice via Bear Camp Road if it has been cleared of snow. If not, you’ll need to drive to Gold Beach and then south along the Oregon Coast to Highway 199. Shuttle services can be arranged with Galice Resort or Affordable Shuttles.

The Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival is a gathering of rafters and kayakers from around the Northwest for races, clinics, and good times. The festival features vendors such as SOTAR, Maravia, AIRE, River Connection and NRS showing off their latest and greatest river gear. This is a great chance to demo the boat and/or raft [...]]]>

The Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival is a gathering of rafters and kayakers from around the Northwest for races, clinics, and good times. The festival features vendors such as SOTAR, Maravia, AIRE, River Connection and NRS showing off their latest and greatest river gear. This is a great chance to demo the boat and/or raft frame you’ve had your eye on.

The Northwest Rafting Company crew will be there to defend their 2011 titles and hopefully take a few more home. We hope see you there!