Calendar

Past Activity

Rogue River Kayaking

  • Start date: 08/12/2011

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 08/14/2011

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Spend a hot August weekend kayaking the Rogue, in southern Oregon, with a small group of Obsidians. We’ll be in the Hellgate Recreation Area of the Rogue River near Galice. The river is beautiful and the rapids are fun, but nothing above class II. We’ll pull out before the beginning of the Wild Rogue so no permit is necessary. If you are not familiar with this stretch of water, you are welcome to follow the leader, but be aware that this is not a guided river trip. Life jackets must be worn at all times while on the river. We’ll camp both nights at Almeda campground group site and float the same stretch of river both days. Almeda Campground (Josephine County Parks) is located on the Rogue River, 18 miles west of Merlin.

After setting up camp Friday, participants can do a short float (3-5 miles), hike down to Rainie Falls, or hang out by camp. There may even be a live band Friday night at Galice Store and Restaurant, located 3.5 miles back up the road. Saturday, we can do a longer float (10 miles). For those who still want more time on the water before heading home Sunday, there will be time for an optional short float after we pack up camp.

This trip is limited to 10 participants. All participants must be over age 21 and must be experienced kayakers. The cost of the trip is $33 for members, $38 for nonmembers. A pre-trip meeting will be held in early August.

To secure a place on this trip, sign up online, then send your full payment (payable to Obsidians) within 5 days to Valerie Metcalfe, 62 E. 23rd St., Eugene, OR 97405. Please include your phone number and email address.

Questons: Contact Valerie Metcalfe at 541-521-7539 or metcalfev@gmail.com

  • Event Leader: Metcalfe Valerie

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Extended Trips

  • Area Type:

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 302

  • Season: 2011

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Personal kayak. If you do not have your own boat, inflatable kayaks can be rented from the University of Oregon Outdoor Program (the package includes a boat, life jacket, paddle and helmet) or kayaks can be rented down in Merlin upon arrival. Rafts are not appropriate for this trip. Camping gear, tent, sleeping bag, lawn chair, cooler, personal gear, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses. No wet suits necessary. Campers will be responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches. Two dinners are included in the cost of the trip and will be prepared and shared by the group.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance:

  • Member Fees: 33

  • Elevation Gain:

  • Non-Member Fees: 38

  • Committee: Extended Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Two days of sun drenched, rapid running was had by 7 white water enthusiasts Aug. 12-14 on a popular stretch of the Rogue River in southern Oregon. The group met at Almeda campground Fri afternoon and set up camp. That evening the group was entertained while coordinator, Valerie Metcalfe, prepared dutch oven chicken and dumplings over a bed of coals. Particpants played cards and enjoyed the campfire, awaiting our big day on the river. Sat. after breakfast, we shuttled our inflatable kayaks upriver to the Hog Creek put in. We jockied for position on the boat ramp amongst the many boaters to inflate our kayaks, apply suncreen and strap down our coolers in the backs of our boats. We floated from Hog Creek, through Hellgate Canyon and continued our 10 mile float through class 1 and 2+ rapids including Galice Chute, Chair, and Widow Maker. The river was uniquely high for this time of year and we encountered many rolling wave trains that gave us a fun ride. At times we had to wait our turn to get through the big rapids due to the floatillas of people out enjoying the water or the arrival of a jetboat carrying 50+ tourists upriver. We were successful at spotting some wildlife while eating our packed lunches along the shore; 4 otters were spotted swimming across the river. The same day a bald eagle was seen perched high above the river. Sun. the group repeated the same float of the day before, but this time we had a better idea of what to expect. The group looks forward to more river trips in the future.

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 10
  • Number of spots available: 2
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Metcalfe, Valerie 541-221-5702 N 33
2 Signed-Up Dorland, Julie 541-968-2447 N 38
3 Signed-Up Roy, Beth 541-687-0128 N 38
4 Signed-Up King, Ellen 541-222-0237 N 38
5 Signed-Up Schechter, Diane 541-206-7723 N 33
6 Signed-Up Cleall, Wayne 541-687-0128 N 38
7 Signed-Up Gates, Devin 541-510-0381 N 38
8 Signed-Up Krusoe, Sana 541-686-2583 N 38