With some changes in my plans, late May became wide
open, and all that was on the agenda was some potential multi-day raft
time with Brian. To make the most of his days, we aimed to get something going over the Memorial Day weekend.
With some close attention to canceled and last minute permit postings, we were able to get four spots to put-on, on The Rogue. So we loaded Silvia up with all the raft gear and the ladies, and b-lined it for Southern Oregon. Both Brian and I have floated the 40+ mile, Wild and Scenic section of The Rogue before when we, separately, had taken a rowing clinic up that way. It’s the river where we got the base for our whitewater skills so were both excited to get back up there and see it through slightly more experienced eyes.
The weather was pretty questionable, but with some last minute scurrying in Medford we got enough clothes for a small winter-army to make sure Kate didn’t die from a mild chill. We all managed, warm and upright, after four days and three nights on the river. We saw some weather, but had a pretty spectacular time on the river.
With some close attention to canceled and last minute permit postings, we were able to get four spots to put-on, on The Rogue. So we loaded Silvia up with all the raft gear and the ladies, and b-lined it for Southern Oregon. Both Brian and I have floated the 40+ mile, Wild and Scenic section of The Rogue before when we, separately, had taken a rowing clinic up that way. It’s the river where we got the base for our whitewater skills so were both excited to get back up there and see it through slightly more experienced eyes.
The weather was pretty questionable, but with some last minute scurrying in Medford we got enough clothes for a small winter-army to make sure Kate didn’t die from a mild chill. We all managed, warm and upright, after four days and three nights on the river. We saw some weather, but had a pretty spectacular time on the river.
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| The forecast for the four days was not looking so hot as we departed SF |
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| Loaded up and headed North |
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| Gorgeous views of Mt Shasta on our Northern drive up I5 |
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| We crossed the state boarder in daylight |
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| And made it to the river the next day |
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| After some serious time unloading the truck 'n trailer, then loading the rafts we are ready to push off from Alameda Bar |
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| Me, scouting two of the three possibilities at our first big rapid, Raine Falls |
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| We opt for the Class III Fish Ladder, over the more serious lines – Brian and Kate go first |
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| Brian entering the top of the Fish Ladder |
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| And has an overall good run through it, just spinning once – much cleaner than my disaster that shortly followed |
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| Kristin gets her first try on the sticks, pushing Magnum down river |
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| Me rowing into Black Bar Rapid |
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| Gets a little tight at the bottom, where I make some contact with a rock, but make it out more or less cleanly |
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| Nice weather on day two – floating the gorgeous canyons |
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| Brian at the helm of his ship |
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| Stayed nice even into the evening – more flat water on the trip than either Brian or I could recall |
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| So nice, that I even ditched the spray gear before we made it to camp – Kate was still wearing 5 layers of clothes BTW |
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| Brian heading into one of the final bends before we made it to our camp for the night |
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| Some beautiful evening views on a calm stretch of The Rogue |
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| All set up at camp on night two at Missouri Creek |
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| One of the best ones we found |
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| Brian cranking his classic rock playlist by the fire |
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| Special adult bev's all around – for Kate, it was Champagne in a can |
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| Lots of little wildlife on the river but no bear sightings – mostly tons of baby ducks & geese |
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| Was able to throw a few flies with my Spey rod in the AM before breaky |
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| After a serious nights downpour, Kate gets seriously suited up for our coldest day on the river |
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| A much more dramatic day with fog and rain on our third day |
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| Kate is particularly happy about this all |
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| Kristin and me working our way through some crazy water in the narrows around Coffee Pot |
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| The full group at Stair Creek Falls |
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| Some crazy evidence of a previous high water event |
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| Kate doing her best to get warm by hauling on the sticks |
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| The view down river as we scout our biggest rapid, Blossom Bar – which I absolutely greased |
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| Kate takes some more serious measures to stay warm |
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| The weather lifts a bit as we pull into our final camping spot for the trip at Lower Tate |
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| Dinner is served – Kristin & me with a good looking Tamale Pie on the Dutch Oven |
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| By our final day Kristin is much more comfortable on the sticks and rowing splashy II+ rapids |
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| Lined up to get wet |
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| The group on our last day, under the sun and in front of Flora Dell Creek Falls |
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| All smiles as the trip winds down – Kristin & me looking sporty |
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| Safe and loaded back up to head home |
