[mikesee]

4 of us hiked in from Buck Creek trailhead last July 8. ~11 mile hike IIRC, over Burger Pass, under China Cap. Lots of gorgeous granite up high. Still lots of snowfields to cross when we went.

Diurnal swing was 1000-1100 for us. I wouldn't want more. It was moving really fast, and there was wood everywhere. We did lots of creative ducking and limboing, and probably had to get out to portage 6-7 times.

Above Red's Ranch there was lots of fast III, a fair bit of legit read and run IV, and a few that maybe even pushed into IV+ at these flows. No V.

I would imagine that at ~600cfs everything would feel a grade easier.

There is one bedrock gorge that I cannot imagine it being possible to stumble into. Riverwide ledge/horizon line at the entrance. Easy scout.

Below Red's it was fast, continuous II-II+ all the way into Minam.

Fantastic trip.

 

[mikesee]

I've never floated that stretch, but was lucky enough to be flown into Red's Ranch by chartered plane several years ago on a work trip. That could be a good option if you wanted to avoid hiking a boat all the way in, and the float could also be turned into a much longer trip by continuing down the Grande Ronde and having your car dropped at Troy or even further downriver. An added bonus is that you get a scenic flight over the Wallowas during the flight in.

No argument really -- but my $.06 is that what's special about this trip is what's above Red's.

Comparatively anyone can see what's below there, and literally anyone can see what's below the road crossing.