6th Annual Owyhee Rendezvous
Here's a way to get outdoors, meet some good people, and explore
one of the great places on earth: join us at the Rendezvous, June 17-20!
We'll meet for a long weekend at a remote and beautiful semi-primitive
site near Three Forks, where the North and Middle Forks join with the
main Owyhee River. There'll be guided hikes for adults and families,
warm springs soaks and evening campfire discussions about the area's
wildlife and natural history, and about wilderness activism. The Sierra
Club Idaho, Nevada and Oregon state chapters are jointly sponsoring the
Rendezvous.
This rugged wide river canyon down below the high desert rim could
likely be hot during the day (you can cool off in the river), and
cool at night, so dress in layers. There are restrooms provided, but no
improved campsites or picnic tables for our semi-primitive car camping
experience. The nearest stores are 40 miles away in Rome or Jordan
Valley, so bring plenty of water and food with you.
Schedule
Thursday, 17 June
Travel to Three Forks, sign in, sign up for activities, go for a hike on
your own (advice offered). Evening campfire talk with introductions of
organizers and overview of the weekend.
Friday, 18 June
Hikes and excursions, including nature walks, strenuous hikes, warm springs
visits, children's hikes, and car excursions. Dinner on your own,
evening program with speakers.
Saturday 19 June
Similar day activities, based on your interests. Group dinner and
evening program with speakers. (Registration deadline to ensure
your Saturday meal is June 7th.)
Sunday 20 June
Breakfast on your own. Closing comments and suggestions from
participants. Clean up of camp site and farewells; break camp
by noon.
What to Bring
A high clearance vehicle is recommended; 4WD is useful but not necessary;
should your vehicle be unable to negotiate the steep one mile road into
the canyon campsite, a shuttle will be available. Participants should
plan to bring their own food, cooking, and camping equipment. A tent
and a summer sleeping bag are recommended. Insect repellent and
sunscreen should be brought. Campers are responsible for
their own drinking water; there is no potable water at the site; the
river water can be treated for drinking; it is suggested that each
participant have at least one gallon of water per day for drinking
and
cooking; water for washing may be taken from the river. Toilet
facilities will be provided. Local maps and field guides would be
useful. Vehicles should be in good mechanical condition and a good spare
tire should be available.
Local Dangers and Regulations
Ticks, rattlesnakes, stinging insects,and poison oak are common. There
are plants in the area which are quite poisonous if ingested. The rock
cliffs are very fragile and climbing is not suggested. There will
likely not be cattle in the immediate area; however, there are cattle
on the rim; this area is open range, and should you hit a cow with your
vehicle, you are responsible for damages to your vehicle and the animal.
Although there are some vehicle fords over the rivers, crossing these
streams in a vehicle is not recommended; towing from the area costs
about $800. Vehicles should not be driven off designated roads.
Artifacts such as arrowheads may not be taken from the site where found.
Indian paintings on rock walls should not be touched. There are a few small
private parcels of land in this area, and trespassing is not allowed if
the areas are posted. Vegetation may not be cut. Each campsite should
have a shovel and bucket for fire control. Fires will be restricted to
an evening campfire using a fire pan at the common meeting area. In
keeping with wilderness goals, no individual campfires or radios except
personal portable devices.
Driving Instructions
From Jordan Valley: Take Juniper Mountain Road (a.k.a. Mud Flat
Road)
east from the sharp corner of US 95 in the center of town. The road
curves and turns to the south and the pavement ends after about 7 miles.
Bear right and continue on unpaved Juniper Mountain Road for 14 more
miles to Three Forks Junction. Turn right and travel 10 miles to Three
Forks Road. Turn left and travel three miles to the rim of the canyon.
Follow the steep road down to the river one and a half miles and 800
feet elevation drop.
From Rome: Travel east 17 miles on highway 95 to
Three Forks Road on the right. Follow the road about 30 miles to
the rim and then down to the campsite as described above.
(Note: the turnoff is about 15 miles west of Jordan Valley.)
Car Pooling:
For legal reasons the Sierra Club can not organize car pools We can,
however, provide lists of participants from various areas with contact
information so that drivers and riders can negotiate transportation
among themselves.
Registration and Contact Information
There are a limited number of camping sites available so register
now to ensure your spot! Cost for the entire four days is $15
for singles, $25 for families. For registrations received by
June 7th, Saturday night dinner is included.
You can use this
PDF registration form
to fill out and send in.
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