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Remote Multi-Day Float in OR/WA

5K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  Will Amette 
#1 ·
A friend and I want to take a 2-4 day float trip somewhere in the NW (Portland will be our home base) during the first week in September. We like:
- Pretty
- Remote (or at least fairly quiet, crowd-wise)
- Good camping
- Easy (Class I-II) since neither of us has much technique/knowledge

Any suggestions on rivers or outfitters? We were looking at the Owyhee but it sounds like September is way late to do that.

Thanks!
Adam
 
#6 ·
Thanks for those suggestions TriBri -- I'll look them up. While I waited for replies I landed on the Skagit and John Day as potential options, although I'm told the John Day will be very low flow by that time.

Wade: We're flexible on boats; planning to rent. Canoe or kayak would be preferable. We could do inflatable kayak if that was necessary (which I'm guessing it may be on super low flow rivers? Less to scrape on the bottom?). We are willing to drive anywhere in OR or WA.
 
#7 ·
I vote for the Willamette

Gooz,

One trip that I'd like to do some time is the mainstem Umpqua River. It doesn't quite meet two of your criteria: It isn't really remote, and there are some class III rapids. Check out Tim Palmer's Field Guide to Oregon Rivers for more details. Tim says, "Though virtually unknown as such, the main stem is not just a great Oregon canoe trip, but a great American canoe trip." Tim describes that while there is a road along the river, large back bends give the ~feel~ of being remote. So maybe it really DOES meet that criteria of yours. Tim says it's "too easy" for most kayakers, "too flat and windy" for most rafters, and great for experienced canoeists. He also warns that there can be blooms of cyanobacteria. This is obviously a longer stretch than you're looking for, so you could pore over some maps and pick out a two- to three- day stretch that would meet more of your criteria.

Another interesting trip that doesn't meet all your criteria is the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. It's 51 miles, but camping is not allowed. You would have to do multiple shuttles and camp elsewhere. This is the last free-flowing reach of the Columbia. This one is also on my list for some point in the future.

Finally, the Willamette is often overlooked as a great resource. This trip actually meets all four of your criteria. Many parts of the river can feel quite remote, but you are actually traveling through the most populous part of the state. There is a water trail, and on the river you can find mile markers and some camp markers. There is PLENTY of camping in the summer. Lots of islands. Visit the website to use an interactive map to explore the area. You can also buy waterproof maps. You should note that since the map was published, Norwood Island is no longer private property and makes a great camp. There's a shuttle service you can hire if you like. You can pick a trip of any length. If you are comfortable in class II (more like II-), put in at Armitage Park. There's a parking fee, but you can launch QUICKLY and then leave your vehicle across the road. The shuttle service will pick it up quickly and take it to a secure location and then deliver it the morning of your take-out. Depending how much you want to paddle, you can do the 50 miles to Corvallis in two or three days. The river flattens out below Harrisburg, but gets just a little steeper just upstream of Corvallis. Another ten miles takes you to Albany, also very realistic for three days. I'd recommend going all the way to Independence. That could take four days. I'd recommend NOT going all the way to Salem. The last section below Eloa are right along Highway 22. It's loud, and not so scenic. I vote for the Willamette for your trip. In fact, I'm heading out for a two-day from Coburg to Corvallis in the morning.

You WILL see other boats. Many people do get out to enjoy the river. But you'll mostly have the place to yourself, especially on week days. Plan on lots of tubers in the couple miles upstream of Corvallis. That's the only crowded stretch.

You might also check out the Rogue below the Wild & Scenic section. Tim Palmer says it's a beautiful canyon, but you will see LOTS of jet boats. Huge gravel bars. 32 miles.

Good luck!
 
#8 ·
The john day will be low that time of year, but I have done it in canoes at around 300cfs or less. Kayaks can probably go even lower. You can monitor the flows by googling "john day river flows". You can even look at historic averages at certain. Times of year to help you plan. I highly recommend service creek to Clarno. A few class two rapids, and lots of great camping and hiking.

If you float the willamette, make sure to hit Chatoe Rogue. This is rogue brewerys independence hop farm. They have a private beach you can pull up at and get beers and food.

Pm me if you want any more details on the john day
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
I wanted to clarify about the remoteness of the Willamette. I'm recently back from a Grand Canyon trip, so my "remote meter" is set kind of high. The Willamette can CERTAINLY feel at least somewhat remote, but it's no wilderness canyon.

We did a 36-mile two-day trip from Christensen's to Corvallis the Sunday/Monday after my previous post. We had very hot weather that weekend. On Sunday parts of the river were getting lot of use. Floating past Harrisburg, there were lots of folks cooling off in the water by the boat ramp. Again folks drinking heavily and lounging in chairs at McCartney Landing. Irish Bend was a zoo, too. Maybe 20 vehicles parked on the gravel bar including a travel trailer. One party was blasting music. We rowed by quickly.

The few miles above Harrisburg feel more rural than remote. You pass by several houses.

There were several powered boats and drift boats on Sunday. We saw ZERO boats on Monday.

Scenery is variable. Some places, especially above Peoria, have vertical banks on one side. The other side is usually riparian forest. There are places you see agricultural fields, and places you could be far from anywhere. There was one place where heavy equipment was working near the river, probably fixing a road. We rowed quickly by that noise. There were a few places where agricultural equipment was running, but generally not too much of a disturbance. In irrigation season, you WILL hear pumps running.

We camped at Norwood. The landing isn't the easiest, and you have a carry up to the camp, but the views from camp are great. You COULD be in a remote place from here. Just don't miss the last place to land. Another good option would be DSL Island above Irish Bend. A two-night three-day trip from Armitage Park on the McKenzie River to Corvallis probably would be quite nice, and your three days would be shorter.

Water level was dropping; be careful of shallows. By September, flows should be up again.

We did a 15-mile day trip on the McKenzie on the 4th. While the water is BEAUTIFUL, and the canyon is forested, it actually felt much less remote than the Willamette. This was mostly from the highway right next to the river. Obviously there were also lots of boats out for the lovely holiday weather.

Wherever you go, enjoy!
 

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