Our family along with two others have been trying to get a permit for the Rogue for 3 years through the lottery system. This year we drew a permit and 17 of us across 3 family (Donaldson, Lovejoy, Starling) journeyed down the coveted Rogue Wild and Scenic for 5 nights and 6 days. Normally the Rogue can be done in 3 nights/4 days but we wanted to travel a little slower and allow for a layover day during the trip and being that this was our first time - give us time to scout some of the more spicy rapids on this river.
The Rogue river is located in southwestern Oregon. (see map below). The wild and scenic section is just northwest of Grants Pass and flows west towards the ocean. On this map we put on just north of Galice (Almeda Campground and Boat Ramp) and took out at Foster Bar. Our total float was 38.4 Miles.
Day 1 - Almeda Boat Ramp to Lower Whiskey Creek Camp (Travel: 7 miles)
We got an early start to drive the 4 hours from Bend to the put in. We got on the river late morning around 11:30am. This day included the famous Rainie Falls (video below) of a raft going through the main drop. We did what’s known as the fish ladder on river right)
Whiskey creek camp didn’t have a great unloading zone but the site itself was very nice and there was a beautiful creek flowing to the river just above camp. Chris cooked his famous steaks with chimichurri sauce, potatoes and wedge salad. (You definitely don’t lose weight on our raft trips)
The boys brought a rope on the trip and rigged up a small rope swing by the creek. You can see Abbie and I playing at the creek entrance.
Day 2 - Lower Whiskey Creek to Lower Kelsey Camp (Travel: 10.6 miles)
Lower Kelsey was I think my favorite camp site on the river. big rocky gravel beach, funny swimming, great views down the river and shade for the hot day.
Day 3 - Lower Kelsey to Upper Half Moon Bar Camp (Travel: 11 miles)
The section of river immediately below lower Kelsey camp was a beautiful winding section through rock. Todays float took us through arguably the most challenging rapids on the trip. Mule creek canyon and coffee pot rapids was a crazy ride that just came up out of nowhere, followed by the class 4 blossom bar. Half moon bar camp would be our layover camp for two nights.
Day 4 - Upper Half Moon Bar Camp Layover (Travel: 0 miles)
Fun layover day, with lounging, hiking, swimming and attempts at fishing. The adults shuttled across the river to half moon bar lodge. Only accessible by boat or by plane. It was an open day so they gave us a tour, and let us eat fresh berries from the garden. Their freezer was already full! It was the best fresh fruit any of us had ever had. The strawberries were to die for. Kelly and I both said we had never tasted strawberries this good in our lives. We decided we would all love to come back here for an adults weekend at some point.
Day 5 - Upper Half Moon Bar to Upper/Middle Tacoma (Travel 4.2 miles)
Another great camp spot to end off our trip. Walking distance to tate creek falls - a natural water slide about mile up from the river. Great fun.
Day 6 - Upper/Middle Tacoma to Foster Bar Boat Ramp (Travel: 5.9 miles)
Uneventful and enjoyable float out the last 6 miles to Foater Bar. Smiles and Chaco tans all around. Stopped in Grants pass for dinner at In and Out. Treated to a nice sunset views of the mountains on the way home.
An amazing trip with perfect weather on the famous Rogue River Oregon.