Whitewater

Lower Salmon River
(“River of No Return”)

“Natsoh Koos, “  is what the indigenous people traditionally called the Salmon River. It means “Big Fish Water” and refers  to  the large chinook salmon that was once a major life force of the waterway and central icon to their culture. We still fish for these magnificent fish, in these same waters, today. 

It is also the same river that earned the reputation as “The River of No Return” from the Lewis and Clark Expedition.   They were turned back from this potential route to the west, by the fearsome rapids that halted their progress by canoe.   Of course, the river is a routine run now, enjoyed by modern floater explorers. 

The Salmon River courses through a pristine corridor and is the longest free-flowing river in the lower U.S. It cuts through a canyon more than a thousand feet deeper than Arizona's Grand Canyon. Over 180 miles of river corridor is more than a mile deep.

The sandy beaches, whiter than snow, are great places to camp and soothing to run in with your bare feet.  Shore side pools of emerald green water, warmed to 73 degrees mid summer, make for a relaxing and exquisite swim, too.

The canyons 200 million year old geology is also mighty interesting, but if you want to learn more about that, we will share that with you on the river.  The science is fascinating, but the beauty is overwhelming.

We offer over 100 miles of river, with assorted access points which enables us to offer you trip lengths of anywhere from ½ to 6 days.  Within the precipitous side slopes of the main canyon are four major gorges. Each one is uniquely beautiful and contains a distinctive character. This is also where most of the great rapids occur.

Most rapids are class III, with some IV. However, during high flows the whitewater is as spectacular as any in the world, rivaling even the most famed Grand Canyon rapids.

Yet, most of the time, moderate rapids are still exciting, but safe enough for families and first time river runners.

We offer anywhere from ½ to multiple day trips, based on your time constraints and interests. Except for our theme trips, we have no rigid schedules. Dates of our trips are determined by you and are designated on a first come, first serve basis. So, you must contact us to sign up for your own dates or a trip already established, if open.

Prices for 2010

1/2 Day  $ 69

1    Day  $ 97

2    Day  $ 359

3    Day  $ 849

4    Day  $ 1009

5    Day  $1299

OREGON RIVER TRIPS
Lower Owyhee – SE Oregon
Grande Ronde –   NE Oregon         

OWYHEE RIVER - saturday launches
America's Outback

So remote, even an aborigine could get lost in this high desert canyon lands. Google Earth almost can't find it. Now that's isolation.  We call it the "outback and land down under of America."   The canyon landscape is more like another planet, than our own. It is a magnificent  place to lose, yet find yourself. 

The river drains the high desert plateau of the Steens Mountains and Juniper Mahogany Mountain complex. A deeply furrowed plateau creates a treacherous chasm, similar to Arizona 's Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.  In some places you have to look straight up to see the sky, so steep are the colorful canyon walls.

Rapids range from mild to wild, with two sections to choose from to accommodate either interest. Allow your adrenalin meter to be your guide. The upper section is class V and for serious thrill seekers, while the lower canyon is more friendly to families and moderate adventure seekers.

The Owyhee can also be compared to Bryce and Zion, with formations that rival these outstanding places, too.  Numerous hot springs, great side hikes, picturesque viewpoints, birds of prey, waterfowl, and early wildflowers make this a nature photographers paradise.  It is like stepping into a real life fantasyland. You be the judge.
                                      
A Time Sensitive Watershed

There is a very limited window of time that the Owyhee River system can be comfortably run. Spring arrives early and snow packs diminish flows before early summer, in most years. We run trips from mid March to mid May. Some years we can extend that time into June.

We have specific launch dates designated by the BLM to float the Rome to Lesile Gulch section. Call us for our 2010 launches and availability.

Prices for 2010

4    Day  $ 1099

5    Day  $ 1299

6    Day  $ 1499

10  Day  $ 2308 (both canyons)

Note: we only run 4 day trips on the class V section from Three Forks to Rome. This trip is only for serious adventurers and higher risk takers.

We all had a great time down the Owyhee with you. Of course, I knew we would, but I was a little nervous about bringing my parents along, especially since my brother, the doctor said that my dad should be especially careful about badlybruising or cutting himself due to taking blood thinners. Anyway, you took extra good care of them both and they had a super time." - Chris Lynds

GRANDE RONDE RIVER
Forested Mountain Country

“River that flows into the far beyond”, is how Chief Josephs band of Nez Perce referred to this Northeastern Oregon  river.  It surges out of the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area of the Wallowa Mountains , and the Elkhorn Mountains of the Blue Mountain Province . The canyon corridor is heavily forested with mixed conifers and a lush green feel to it in the spring. But, a full spectrum  of the rainbow comes out in the fall, when the tamarack, willows, aspen, and dogbane turn color.

With sky soaring peaks and silhouettes as jagged as a cross cut saw, this canyon contains some of the pretties mountains in Oregon.  It is also home to a plethora of wildlife, that rival even Alaska in its diversity. In season, there are bald eagles, bighorn sheep, elk, deer, turkey, and a host of predators, waterfowl and other riparian oriented birds.

Rapids are only moderately difficult, mostly class II and III.  This is a good family adventure, and watermelon run.  For people who enjoy leisure, low key excitement, increased opportunities to view wildlife, catch fish, go on nature hikes,  or photograph wild flowers, this is a wonderful trip.

A tremendous resident trout and anadromous steelhead fishery also make this river a true sportsmen’s paradise.  Some of the finest fly fishing to be found anywhere in North America can be experienced in this incredible salmonidae watershed.

You may not have heard much about this river, which is fine with us.  Secret places lose their charm if everyone knows about it. If you enjoy finding a place where the answer to your echo, is your own voice, and not someone else’s, this is where you need to be.

3    Day  $ 849

4    Day  $ 1009

5    Day  $ 1299

6    Day  $ 1499 

"The trip was educational, thanks to the patience you showed in responding to the continuous questions asked by staff and the children. It was a perfect first experience for the kids. It was exciting, but the kids felt safe. Thanks again for a fun-filled day."
Karla Gamaehlich

"Once again I want to thank you for providing what was for me an awesome 6 days in nature. I truly loved every aspect of the trip ...the water, land, history, nature, remoteness. But most of all the people. You brought it all together in a most admirable way. I have a great deal of respect for your love of nature and share your belief that how we treat the environment reflects the future of our existence. It is in that context that the trip took on a certain spirituality for me."
Rich Wilken