We are asked quite often if the Rogue River will have enough water in August. The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Due to its large watershed and the winter rain and snow stored in Lost Creek Reservoir the Rogue River has consistent and fun river levels all summer, every summer. Most rivers peak in May and June after the spring rains stop and the snow stops melting and river flows steadily drop after that. The Rogue River, however, maintains consistent flows all spring and summer due… Read More
Author: Zachary Collier
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Out of all the incredible, world-class river outfitters across the United States we have been officially voted the #1 Best Whitewater Rafting Tour in America for 2026 by USA Today! Thank you to our guests, friends, families, guides, and our conservation partners who showed up and voted for us every single day. We know how much love you have for river trips and seeing that love reflected back in a national spotlight like this is incredibly meaningful. Seven Years of Recognition This isn’t our first time… Read More
One of the best things about our Class III Rowing School is that you can row your own raft the entire trip. You can bring your personal raft or you can rent a 13- or 14-foot raft or cataraft from us. If you decide to bring your own raft there are a two things you legally need to have: Whistle (can be on or in your PFD) Oregon Waterway Access Permit Dropping Off Your Raft at the Almeda Boat Ramp You’ll need to drop your fully… Read More
This article recaps the “Guide Training & Global Best Practices” presentation I shared at this year’s IOGA Annual Meeting and America Outdoors Conference. Quick Links 👉 Guide Training and Global Best Practices Slide Deck (PDF) 👉 CPR and Drowning Lesson Plan (PDF) 👉 Beneficial Risks by Steve Smith 👉 Results of Best Practices Survey The goal of this presentation is to share some things I’ve learned about guide, rescue, and first aid courses used to train river guides. Since the content of these courses can vary… Read More
When I travel and guide in Bhutan, one figure I encounter again and again in temples and monasteries is Vajrakilaya (in Sanskrit, वज्रकीलाय). His paintings and sculptures are everywhere, and once you know what to look for, you start to recognize him immediately—fierce expression, multiple arms, surrounded by flames, and holding or embodying the ritual dagger known as the phurba. Vajrakilaya is a wrathful form of Vajrasattva, the deity of purity. While Vajrasattva is peaceful, Vajrakilaya shows compassion in a more forceful way—using power and intensity… Read More
Northwest Rafting Company was founded by the two owners of ECHO River Trips, Dick and Joe, along with one of their guides Zach in 2009. The goal was to create an outfitting business for Zach while Dick and Joe slowly sold ECHO and retired. ECHO History ECHO was founded in 1972 with a whopping investment of $5,000, a GMC Suburban and the adventurous spirits of two high school teachers, Joe Daly and Dick Linford. What began as weekend dashes from Berkeley to the American or Stanislaus… Read More
One of my favorite parts of a river trip is the side hikes we take during the day or from camp. These hikes can be up tributary creeks, along the river, or to a stunning viewpoint. This is a list of my favorite hikes on each trip. Aparejo Point | Middle Fork of the Salmon River This hike starts at Trail Camp (mile 64) and goes up the Old Aparejo Trail to a viewpoint at Aparejo Point. To find the trail from Trail Camp, head upstream… Read More
On the evening of August 2nd, 2023 heavy rains near the Boundary Creek Launch Site on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River triggered several landslides (aka “debris flows” or “blowouts”) that blocked the river. These landslides brought trees down to the river which floated down and created several river wide logjams. Debris flows are the result of intense microburst storms that occur over previous fire scars in steep terrain. Last August several of these landslides occurred at Ramshorn Creek and Spike Creek blocking the river… Read More
This article contains terms we use in our whitewater rowing schools. Although some of this is specific to rowing oar rafts, the terminology is consistent with paddle rafts and kayaks. Ferries Ferry (or “ferrying”) is a general term that describes moving laterally across the current. This occurs when being positioned at an angle (“ferry angle”) to the current and moving at a different speed than the current. A Ferry Angle is the angle between your boat and the current that causes lateral movement across the… Read More
I look back at the 2022 season with so much pride. This was our 14th season, and I’m so proud that we were able to continue running authentic, professional, and memorable trips. This was our busiest year yet, with 62 trips on 10 different rivers. Here are some of the highlights: Rowing Classes in Hood River Our season began in February with private rowing courses here in Hood River. We ran these courses on the Hood, White Salmon, Klickitat, Wind, and Washougal rivers. One of the… Read More