A trip through the Chetco’s lower gorges provides guests the opportunity to experience some of the river’s most impressive rapids as well as a coastal forest. This trip is an opportunity to paddle a wild section of the Chetco River without the arduous hike required for the Upper Chetco.
Day 1
Trips begin at the end of the Wilderness section of the Chetco at Tolman Ranch (the take-out for the Upper Chetco River Trip and proceed through many Class III and IV rapids that are perfect for inflatable kayaks. Unlike the upper section, we can access this part of the river by road and will drive to the put-in.
Days 2 & 3
The Lower Gorges of the Chetco River are only runnable at low water when it is possible to portage around two of the biggest rapids: Candycane and Conehead. Many of the other rapids also require scouting and at times there will be additional portages. Guests must be physically fit and have experience with inflatable or hardshell kayaks. Each member of the expedition will carry their own gear in their kayak for the length of the trip.
This trip meets in Brookings, Oregon which happens to be near Agness, the take-out of our Rogue River trips. Guests could easily combined a 4-day trip down the Rogue with this incredible opportunity to kayak the Lower Gorges of the Chetco River.