C-Forum

Hey all,

We're thinking about travelling to Oregon next year, there seem to be a lot of good rivers there. Which time of the year would you suggest for good water levels?
But it's all woolgathering so far....

Thanks for some hints

Florian

Spring time AFAIK. But I have not paddled there extensively.
It's pretty easy to go to Cali or north to BC if you don't find water there.
All, Cali, OR, WA, and BC have outstanding whitewater paddling.

Cheers, Jan

May and June are great for Idaho and Montana also. Come over and do the Lochsa its great fun.
Cheers
B

During the winter season (Dec-Feb), the weather is crummy but storms are frequent. The coast range and west slope of the cascade rivers are often really cranking at that time. Snow melt season for the cascades and eastern Oregon run Apr- June. Snowmelt and erratic weather means being prepared for very cold paddling (We once put in on the Owyhee R. in a near whiteout in May. Next day sunny and in the 60's). Have fun!

Winter and spring are the rainy seasons, and are the best times to catch all of the coast range rivers and lower elevation cascade creeks, and also to catch some crazy floodstage runs (Lake Creek down by eugene at 10,000-20,000cfs is one of the funnest runs anywhere, and it hits those levels every winter). however, the camping can be soaking wet and lousy during those seasons. in the summer, the classic columbia river gorge runs are the places to be - white salmon, little white salmon, hood and klickitat (early in summer), etc. There aren't too many dam-controlled summer runs that are worth traveling for - the Mackenzie near eugene and the North and Middle Santiam near Salem run most of the summer and are entertaining, but aren't in and of themselves worth the trip. Also, the Rogue is a great 3-4 day trip, but you need a permit during the warm months. There are some good summer runs high in the rogue drainage, but i'm not familiar with them. i guess all things considered, i'd recommend visiting in early-to-mid may for the greatest variety, but some of the runs in the gorge can be a bit high.

Oregon is a great boating state, especially for class IV+ and down. For true class V, head to washington or california, both an easy drive away. check out www.oregonkayaking.net for more info on the tougher runs. i can give you more info on some of the better runs in the area if you'd like.

Matt