Photo: Daniel Leighton Family Raft on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River, Oregon Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08251A Adult Price: $875 Child Price: $775 Adult Deposit: $100 Child Deposit: $100 Min. Age: 7 Capacity: 20 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Daniel Leighton Combining beautiful scenery, exciting whitewater, wildlife, and sunny Oregon weather, this float on one of the West's finest rivers is suitable for river novices and children. The Rogue River flows through the forested Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon to the Pacific Ocean. Our trip is mostly along the 40-mile, federally designated wild and scenic section, which is home to black bears, river otters, deer, osprey, blue herons, and bald eagles. We'll stop to visit fern grottos, splash in waterfalls, and play on sandy beaches. Have you wanted to share an unhurried vacation with your children without television, video games, or long lines? Are you and your children curious about the natural world and the Pacific Northwest? If so, this may be the trip for you
Our trip will begin in Grants Pass, Oregon. On the evening before the trip starts, there will be a mandatory orientation meeting with your trip leader. At this meeting, you will receive your waterproof bag, learn how to pack it, review the first day's itinerary, and get answers to any questions you may have. The leader will send specific information regarding the time and location of the meeting to registered trip participants. Day 1: On the first day, we'll gather at a meeting point and travel by van a few miles downriver to our put-in. We will board oar-powered rafts guided by knowledgeable and skilled boatmen. For the more adventurous, a paddle raft and inflatable kayaks will also be available. We will run Upper and Lower Graves Creek Rapids on our first day and "scout" Rainee Falls -- a rapid so big that we must go around rather than through it. Later in the afternoon, we will camp along the river's edge, playing or just relaxing while the river guides prepare our dinner. Day 2: Following a hearty breakfast in the morning, we will break camp and re-board our rafts. We will run the rapids of Tyee, Wildcat, and Upper and Lower Black Bar Falls. By now many of you will be asking to try the inflatable kayaks. We'll eat lunch in a pretty spot along the river (not hard to find around here!), and continue our floating exploration of this wonderful wilderness area. As our second river day ends, the routine of setting up camp and preparing for dinner will be familiar. After dark, the Milky Way shines brightly, and it is easy to fall asleep to the sounds of the river rushing by. Day 3: Today's highlights will include a short hike to the historic Rogue River Ranch and an exciting run through the deep and narrow Mule Creek Canyon section of the river. We will also scout and run Blossom Bar rapid and, later, enjoy dinner, evening conversations, and our final night of camping along the Rogue. Day 4: Our last day will keep us on the lookout for the bald eagles that inhabit this section of the river canyon. After lunch, we'll continue on to the take-out at Foster Bar, where we can help de-rig the rafts. We normally arrive back at Grants Pass around 6 p.m. after a scenic two-hour shuttle ride. To ease the transition from life along the river, you are invited to a no-host farewell dinner in Grants Pass.
 Photo: Daniel Leighton All meals, from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day, will be provided. Plan to eat breakfast and bring a snack before you arrive at the meeting spot on the first day. Please indicate any dietary issues for each member of your family on the personal questionnaire; it is usually possible to accommodate special dietary requests, but the leaders need to know in advance. The farewell dinner in Grants Pass is not included in the trip price. Beverages will include water, juice, cocoa, tea, and coffee. You may wish to bring your own sodas or other favorite beverages in plastic bottles, cans, or wine boxes. No glass is allowed on the river and no drinking is allowed outside of camp. This is for your safety and the safety and enjoyment of others. You need to bring your own tent, sleeping bags, and pads. On the night before and the night after the trip, you'll need to provide your own accommodations at a hotel or campground in Grants Pass. The leader will provide a list of potential places to stay.
 Photo: Daniel Leighton The minimum age on this trip is seven years old. It is a great trip for first-time river runners and for experienced paddlers alike. The Rogue River has some very fine rapids to keep the trip interesting and everyone alert, but you should not be intimidated if you've never done a rafting trip before. You are expected to assist in loading and unloading drybags and other equipment on and off the rafts, and in carrying equipment to and from the campsites. We will work with parents and children to optimize the wilderness camping experience, but each family must be able to take care of its needs and attend to its own campsite. The pace of the trip will be leisurely, allowing plenty of time for swimming, hiking, bird watching, photography, and exploring.
Daytime temperatures are usually between 65-95 degrees, with low humidity. Nighttime lows are typically in the 50s-60s. Rain is possible, though late summer is typically dry. Our day-to-day itinerary on the river is flexible and will depend on water levels, weather conditions, and the inclinations of participants. Water safety is a priority. Lifejackets will be provided for everyone, in both adult and children's sizes. A parent or guardian must accompany children on the trip. Parents and guardians will be primarily responsible for looking after the safety of their children, especially when on rafts or near the river.
Lifejackets, waterproof river bags, and ammo cans for your daily raft gear will be provided. Registered participants will receive a detailed list of necessary equipment. You'll want to bring a self-supporting, backpack-type tent with a removable rainfly, as well as sleeping bags and pads. You'll also need both cool-weather and rain gear (just in case!).
An overview of this area's natural and human history will enhance your experience. The following sources are recommended (though not all are readily available):
Conservation This trip takes place on one of the first rivers to receive the federal designation of wild and scenic. As such, we'll discuss the importance of wilderness areas and the protection of salmon and steelhead fisheries. We may also discuss issues such as the proposed wilderness designation for the Klamath-Siskiyou Forest, logging in the Takilma Forest, and western rivers and dams - all at a level the entire family can appreciate.
Love of wilderness is an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only home we will ever know, the only paradise we ever need -- if only we had the eyes to see it.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Raylene Collins and her daughter Glenn have run numerous rivers in the West. With her background in urban planning, open-space management, and family river trip leadership, Ray brings to her trips a broad perspective on urban and wilderness conservation and experience leading diverse groups of clients. Ray and Glenn look forward to sharing this experience with you.