McKenzie River – Jewel of the Cascades
East of Eugene and west of Sisters lays the McKenzie River Valley. From the headwaters at Clear Lake to its confluence with the Willamette River, the McKenzie offers 70 miles of rafting, fishing, mountain biking, hiking and rustic lodging. Swift and exciting, but moderate and manageable, the upper McKenzie River’s crystal clear waters, deep turquoise pools and continuous whitewater offer an exhilarating getaway for seasoned rafters and active beginners alike. The section of the McKenzie from Paradise Campground to Blue River offers 15 miles of active and splashy class II rafting and beautiful forest scenery. You can extend your rafting trip with a visit to Sisters or take advantage of the many rustic lodges along the river.

Deschutes River – Sunshine, Splashes & Smiles
The Deschutes River is the recreation life-blood of central Oregon, running for over half the length of the Oregon Cascades from Little Lava Lake south of Bend to the Columbia River near The Dalles. The last 100 miles of the river are an extremely popular destination for rafting and fishing with the centrally-located town of Maupin rightly holding the title of Oregon’s Rafting Mecca. The “Maupin Run” is Oregon’s most popular one-day rafting trip delivering big (but not too big) class III excitement at Wapanitia, Box Car and Oak Springs Rapids. Numerous other rapids and the opportunity for an adventure swim at Elevator Rapid provide the perfect active day-trip getaway. This high-desert rafting venue offers dependable sunshine, beautiful desert canyon scenery and professional photographers at the major rapids to capture your mile-wide smile. You can extend your rafting trip with a visit to the Columbia River Gorge or Mt. Hood.

North Umpqua River – Paddle Rafting Challenge
The post-card-perfect North Umpqua River is one of Oregon’s most scenic and exciting river trips. Off the beaten path, the North Umpqua sees far fewer rafters than the McKenzie & Deschutes, but the extra time it takes to get there is well worth it. Tucked away in the Cascade Mountains east of Roseburg, the North Umpqua offers plenty of class III rapids with a class IV climax at Pinball Rapid. Adventurous beginners and veteran rafters alike enjoy the active paddling, old-growth scenery and wilderness feel of the river canyon. The section of the river from Boulder Flat Campground to the Gravel Bin boat launch provides the best concentration of exciting rapids and stunning scenery. The North Umpqua River is a “one-tank-getaway” from Eugene, Bend or Grants Pass. You can also extend your trip with great local options for camping, hiking and fishing, a visit to nearby Crater Lake National Park or a night at historic Steamboat Inn.

Brian Sykes is the General Manager at Ouzel Outfitters in Central Oregon. The day trips listed above can be booked at http://www.OregonRafting.com

The weather’s warming up. Soon it’ll be downright toasty, and you’ll be wishing yourself into the Oregon outdoors for a little water adventure. In Oregon, you can hang ten at the Pacific Ocean, get splashed on board a fast-maneuvering jet boat or take a kayak tour through wildlife-filled estuaries and wetlands. Basically, whatever suits your water fancy.

Rafting
Imagine floating on an Oregon river through peaceful stretches of calm water, under towering trees with abundant wildlife and no sign of civilization in sight. Then – BAM! — your raft shoots you through a pocket of Class III white water that leaves you giggling like a kid, and soaking wet. Sound like fun? Oregon’s mighty rivers—Rogue, Deschutes, Umpqua, McKenzie, Clackamas—and their many designated Wild & Scenic sections make our state one of the country’s most popular destinations for rafting. Why not get out and get soaked?

Find a Guide or a River

Kayaking
Oregon has a great range of kayaking opportunities, from estuaries and bays at the coast to the wetlands of Scappoose Bay near Portland to the white-water rivers of the Columbia Gorge. You can even paddle the Willamette River along the shores of downtown Portland.

Find a Guide or a Kayak Trip

Windsurfing & Kite Boarding
Some call Hood River the windsurfing capital of the U.S. thanks to the incredible Columbia Gorge winds. On an average breezy day, it’s typical to see dozens of colorful sails dance across the wide river. Both windsurfing and kite boarding lessons and equipment are available in and around Hood River and The Dalles.
Inland lakes at the southern Oregon coast offer other great spots for riding the wind. Pistol River State Park near Gold Beach has held at least three national windsurfing championships. Fifty miles north, Floras Lake is another popular windsurfing spot for both beginners and experts thanks to its sandy bottom and fresh, shallow, warm (68 degrees) water. Here, lessons and rentals are available April through September.

Find a Lesson/Rental Equipment

Surfing
There are surf shops all along the Oregon coast, from Seaside to Pacific City and farther south. Many of them offer lessons from certified instructors, as well as rental equipment for both surfing and body boarding. In Oregon, the Pacific Ocean waters are chilly so you’ll need a wet suit. And make sure to check conditions with local surf shops before paddling out.

Find a Lesson/Rental Equipment

Boat Tours
This summer, sit back and let others navigate you around Oregon’s scenic waterways. Hop aboard a jet boat to see Oregon at rip-roaring speed. Or, if you’re looking for a slower pace—or just want to avoid that windblown look—take a calmer ride aboard a bigger boat. Whatever your speed, Oregon has plenty of options.

Jet Boat Tours
Hells Canyon Adventures Jet Boat Tours
Hellgate Jetboats
Rogue River Mail Boats
Jerry’s Rogue Jets
The Outrageous, Willamette River

Other Boat Tours
Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler
Portland Spirit
Crater Lake boat tours
Marine Discovery Tours

By Brian Sykes of Ouzel Outfitters

Hidden away in the southeastern corner of Oregon is a little known natural wonder. A place where golden eagles soar alongside massive cliffs tinged pink and red with the rising sun. Where Indian paintbrush and desert primrose provide a colorful contrast to the stark landscape. Where a long-deserted pioneer home stands lonely and neglected, defying the harsh elements – a testament to the hardy folk who carved out a life here. Where the deep quiet provides the perfect atmosphere for pondering the meaning of ancient petroglyphs carved in the living rock. These are the canyons of the Owyhee River – Oregon’s Grand Canyon.

With its headwaters in southwestern Idaho and northern Nevada, the Owyhee River flows northward to join the Snake River near Ontario, Oregon. The river’s journey along the northern edge of the great basin carves a series of deep and dramatic canyons – a sanctuary of life in an isolated and barren landscape. Of the hundreds of miles of twisting canyons and rocky gorges, the last 60 miles from the hamlet of Rome downstream to Lake Owyhee provides the greatest variety of plant and animal life and the most diverse scenery and geology.

Chalk Basin, Courtesy of Ouzel Outfitters

The only way to fully explore the wonders of this place is by raft. With no dams to control water levels the float season lasts for only a few months from March through May. The rapids are mostly moderate allowing a wide range of skill levels. Endless hiking opportunities in this portion of the canyon reward the walker with a profusion of desert wildflowers, excellent birding and frequent discoveries of rock carvings and ancient campsites. Hot springs are present at several camps to reward and relax the weary rafter.

Green Dragon Canyon, Courtesy of Ouzel Outfitters

After launching from Rome, the flat lands of the Rome Valley soon give way to the first of many dramatic gorges where massive eagles’ nests cling to the cliffs above and inviting sandy beaches begin to appear. The first moderate rapids are just around the corner. As the rafts move deeper into the canyon, fantastic formations reveal a tangled geologic history of inland seas, earthquakes and violent volcanic eruptions. On the third day of the journey the rafts enter Green Dragon Canyon where massive cliffs rise dramatically from the rivers edge to over 1000 feet and the low rumble of class IV Montgomery Rapid reminds one that they have entered a place untamed and unaltered for thousands of years. A sharp eye may spot bighorn sheep grazing on the precipitous green terraces high above.

Big Horn Sheep, Courtesy of Ouzel Outfitters

On the forth or fifth day the rafts enter Sentinel Canyon where a cacophony of steep spires and towering buttes inspire awe. The journey ends with a leisurely motor across the Lake where gliding pelicans and diving grebes are a common sight. Our take out at Leslie Gulch provides a final scenic spectacle as the strangely twisted and melted lava and ash formations remind one of a prehistoric landscape.

Photo courtesy of Ouzel Outfitters

With unpredictable weather and fluctuating water levels it is important to be well prepared for your river journey. Temperatures can range dramatically from below freezing to a sunny 85 degrees and snow is not unheard of during the rafting season. Furthermore, the remoteness of the area and the need to practice leave-no-trace principles requires a wide variety of equipment and supplies. For the few that have the opportunity to explore the canyons of the Owyhee each year, most are often at a loss for words when trying to describe the remarkable experience that Oregon’s Grand Canyon has to offer.

Many commercial outfitters offer occasional trips on the Owyhee River but few have the experience and full schedule offered by Ouzel Outfitters. Ouzel’s trips are fully-outfitted and well organized. You’ll be well prepared and well taken care of with state-of-the-art equipment and delicious meals served on full-sized banquet tables with a variety of fine wines. Ouzel’s trips are designed to allow plenty of time to explore the canyon, marvel at the wonders of the place and appreciate the fascinating geology and natural history. For more information on booking a trip with Ouzel Outfitters, please visit www.oregonrafting.com.

Editor’s Note: Brian Sykes works for Ouzel Outfitters in Bend. Ouzel provides rafting trips throughout Oregon and Idaho, ranging from half-day to 5 day trips. Start planning your summer getaway, and be sure to add a rafting trip to your agenda! For more information on rafting in Oregon, please visit our Guides and Packers Section.

Or perhaps some chilled Sabayon with fresh raspberries paired with a glass of King Estate Vin Glace?

Maybe you’d prefer to just get out and splash around. In Oregon, we’ve got water coming out of our ears: 363 miles of ocean, legendary rafting rivers, lakes, and windsurfing waters. We’ve even got waterfront golf courses if you dare
to dip in between drives.

See you in Oregon, where we’re off taking surfing lessons.

~ The Editors

This month, one of you lucky subscribers will win a grape-stomping vacation to Willamette Valley wine country during fall harvest. Ready to get your feet dirty?

Also, we’ve got a crowd-pleaser recipe from Ashland’s Larks Restaurant that stars Oregon-fresh berries and nuts. Impress dad with it on Father’s Day.

See you in Oregon, where we’re planning our next hike…

~ The Editors