Paddle Party

[June 25th, 2008]

The definitions:

Class I: Small waves, few obstacles.

Class II: You may need to do some maneuvering, but you can still run it without spilling your beer.

Class III: Whitewater experience necessary.

Class IV: Difficult whitewater.

Class V: Extremely difficult, with big waves, drops and rocks.

Class VI: Geronimo!

Klickitat River

Class: III
Flow: 1,400-3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs)
Season: any
Put-in/Take-out: Yakama Reservation (six miles north of Glenwood, Wash.)/Fish Hatchery Road—8 miles start to finish.
Distance from Portland: 100 miles.

The Klickitat River seems a world away from the old-growth forests of the west side of the Cascades, running through Eastern Washington’s beautiful scrub oak woodland with stunning basalt walls that rise straight out of the river. This is a good moderate stretch of Class III whitewater, perfect for beginning to intermediate kayakers and rafters. Keep an eye out for logs washed down in winter storms and spring runoff.

Clackamas River

Class: II-III
Flow: 700-3,000 cfs
Season: any
Put-in/take-out: Three Lynx/Bob’s Hole (Estacada)—8 miles.
Distance from Portland: 50 miles.

Most of this popular section of the Clackamas runs along Highway 224, which makes scouting on the way to the put-in easy. Rapids such as Hole-in-the-Wall, Carter Bridge and the popular kayak playboating spot Bob’s Hole are visible from the road, so pull over and enjoy the show while you scout your line. The lower section, from Bob’s Hole to Memaloose Bridge, is a great Class II section for beginning kayakers and rafters. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including osprey, great blue herons and coyotes.

Rogue River

Class: IV
Flow: 1,200-6,000 cfs
Season: any, peak season May to October
Put-in/take-out: Grave Creek (Galice) to Foster Bar (Agness)—34 miles.
Distance from Portland: 250 miles.

The Rogue River was one of the original rivers to receive Wild and Scenic designation in 1968, and for good reason. This is a beautiful stretch of river in a wilderness setting with continuous whitewater action. Highlights include the rarely run Rainie Falls (most folks portage) and Blossom Bar Rapid—Class V and IV, respectively—and the continuous Class III section through Mule Creek Canyon. This trip is usually done in three or four days, so grab your buddies, pack your Dutch oven and your guitar, and take a vacation.

White Salmon River

Class: III+/IV
Flow: 500-2000 cfs
Season: any
Put-in/take-out: BZ Corner, Wash./Northwestern Lake (Husum, Wash.)—8 miles.
Distance from Portland: 75 miles.

The White Salmon River from BZ Corner to Northwestern Lake is one of the most beautiful and entertaining stretches of continuous Class III+ whitewater in the Northwest. The action starts as soon as you launch—the put-in is in the middle of the Class IV Top Drop rapid—and doesn’t let up until you reach the mellow Class II section above Northwestern Lake. Husum Falls, a Class IV+ waterfall, is the main highlight of this stretch.

Wind River

Class: IV/V
Flow: 300-2,500 cfs, though this has been run up to 15,000 cfs
Season: any
Put-in/take-out: Stabler, Wash./Columbia River (Carson, Wash.)—11 miles.
Distance from Portland: 60 miles.

The Wind River provides 11 miles of continuous, technical and enjoyable (though stressful) rapids. Highlights include Initiation, Ram’s Horn, Climax, High Bridge and the Flume—a big drop into fun waves, and one of my all-time favorite rapids. Beyond Limits, Shipherd Falls and a low head dam are all portaged via the fish ladder on the left bank. After the portage, be sure to take the 20-foot cliff jump instead of the hike-around—it’s faster and much more fun.

Deschutes River

Class: III+
Flow: 3,000-8,000 cfs
Season: any, summer is very popular
Put-in/take-out: Warm Springs/Sandy Beach (Maupin)—53 miles.
Distance from Portland: 130 miles.

The Deschutes River is a popular escape for saturated Portlanders: the reward for a trip to the dry side of the mountains is a stretch of moderate Class III+ whitewater. Highlights include Whitehorse, Boxcar, Oak Springs and Buckskin Mary rapids. This section can be done as a two- to three-day trip, or the lower section near Maupin can be run as a day trip. It can be very popular (read: busy) in the summer, so look out for the drunken yahoos and be sure to have at least some whitewater experience under your belt, or go with a guide company.

Sandy River

Class: II+/III
Flow: 1,200-4,000 cfs
Season: any
Put-in/take-out: Dodge Park/Oxbow Park (Troutdale)—7 miles.
Distance from Portland: 26 miles.

This section of the Sandy River is a scenic float through moderate to easy whitewater. Its proximity to Portland makes this a short day trip. Pipeline, the one Class III rapid, is about a half mile downstream from the put-in, and should be scouted or portaged. Oxbow Park to the Columbia River is an easy Class I/II, making this a great introduction for the beginning kayaker.

Hood River

Class: III/IV
Flow: 700-3,000 cfs
Season: any
Put-in/take-out: Dee/Tucker Bridge (Hood River)—7 miles.
Distance from Portland: 75 miles.

Dee to Tucker Bridge on the Hood River is a beautiful stretch that runs alternately through narrow canyons and around gravelly islands. This is a mostly Class III run with a couple of Class IV drops. One of the major hazards on this river is logs washed down in winter storms; last season one rapid required a duck-and-cover-in-the-bottom-of-the-boat move to avoid a low log fallen across the river.

Owyhee River

Class: IV/V
Flow: 1,200-8,000 cfs
Season: April-May
Put-in/take-out: Three Forks/Rome—48 miles.
Distance from Portland: 500 miles, 9 hours

This stretch of whitewater is set in a deep desert canyon. The Owyhee River flows northwest from southern Idaho into one of the most out-of-the-way corners of the state. Boaters on this stretch should have the skills necessary for a multiday wilderness expedition with technical Class IV+ boating. Highlights include several Class IV rapids, riverside hot springs, a giant cave (the Bombshelter) to camp in and Widowmaker, a Class V drop that is usually portaged on river right.

Willamette River

Class: flatwater
Flow: any
Season: any
Put-in/take-out: Willamette Park is a public boat ramp off Macadam Avenue, and Oaks Bottom provides access from Sellwood.

It runs through the middle of our fair city, but have you ever been on it? Rent a sea kayak with friends, or take a tour around Ross Island with an outfitter such as Portland Kayak Company (459-4050, portlandrivercompany.com) and explore the city from water level.

For complete directions, check out oregonkayaking.net or Pete Giordano’s Soggy Sneakers: A Paddler’s Guide to Oregon Rivers.