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.

And be sure to visit the Hatfield Marine Science Center and Oregon Coast Aquarium this spring break!

Make the most out of your travels by visiting GoSeeOregon.com for the latest tips on where to go and what to do in Oregon. But don’t take our word for it, see what Oregon’s visitors have to say:

Recent User Tips include Beverly Beach State Park, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Yaquina Head Lighthouse, The Stephanie Inn, Sylvia Beach Hotel, The Ocean Lodge, Seaside Aquarium, Mo’s, Comfort Inn Coos Bay, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newmans’s at 988 and West Coast Game Park Safari.

-User epmmskewis stated that Beverly Beach State Park is “one of the most beautiful beaches in Oregon.”

-izzyb123 summed up their stay at the Ocean Lodge by exclaiming, “The service was incredible and the entire staff looked clean and sharp.”

-User cescoutdoors enjoyed the Hatfield Marine Science Center, and stated that “anyone with interest in science, marine or not, could spend an hour or two here.”

-If you’re interested in traveling to the coast with the whole family, West Coast Game Park Safari may be the perfect addition to your trip: “My 3-year old granddaughter was able to feed a baby Bengal tiger.” ~submitted by user DCATE.

GoSeeOregon also now provides travel recommendations based on your interests for all major cities in Oregon! Just set up an account and enter your interests and travel preferences. Give it a try – getting started takes less than a minute! And while you’re busy writing tips about your favorite Oregon Coast spots, don’t forget to enter GoSeeOregon’s Tips and Treasures Contest. You may even win a warm and cozy Columbia Sportswear jacket.

Get out there and enjoy Oregon’s beaches!

Photo Credit: Dennis Oliphant & OPB

We were intrigued on Monday by a story on Oregon Public Broadcasting about a close encounter of the wild kind. Kevin Cox, a seventh grader running a cross-country race in Bend, apparently stumbled upon an amorous deer…that seemingly got a little too comfortable and frisky with him. The story went on to say that the lonely deer gave chase and at one point even smothered him with kisses!

Curiosity got the better of us…after a search online, we found some amazing photography of this incident to share with you. Check it out…our friends at KGW and OPB both have slide shows of this bizare, “Only in Oregon” story.

Read her travelogue for some excellent ideas on how to spend an adventure filled weekend in Grants Pass. ~ Mo

JENNIFER’S TRAVELOGUE:

Our first stop in scenic Grants Pass was Friday night at AJA Restaurant, which serves “eclectic Pacific Rim cuisine.” (AJA is pronounced like Asia.) It’s open for dinner only 5:00 pm to 9:00 p.m. Tues-Thurs, 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fri and Sat. Closed Sun and Mon. It’s in a historic brick building and it’s owned by Tim Mock and Sandra Shizury. He grew up in Grants Pass and she’s Japanese. Together they worked in Hawaii and California. They looked for spots in GP for four years before deciding the time was right to open up their small (approx ten tables) restaurant. Some of the awesome food we ate: Crab Tacos, Paper Chicken (Asian sauce and rice paper around the chicken), Killer Shrimp with Wasabi Cream, Seafood Curry, Chocolate Hazelnut Torte with homemade vanilla ice cream, Raspberry Lemon Curd Cake Roll.

118 NW ‘E’ St, Grants Pass, 541-471-1228

Hellgate Jet Boats cancelled because of low water (they usually close after this weekend anyway) so Rogue River Raft Trips at Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge stepped in with a three-hour raft/float trip including lunch. Before we launched I watched an osprey dive in to the river and catch a fish, right between two fishing boats. Out on the water we saw four bald eagles, lots of great blue herons, an egret, squirrels and tons of ducks and geese. We saw a hawk chase down and kill a songbird in a bush. We also saw fish in the shallow water and one guy who caught a 23″ salmon. We (Lisa was on my raft) even got a little wet despite the low water.

8500 Galice Road in Merlin, 1-800-826-1963

www.rogueriverraft.com

www.morrisonslodge.com

After lunch on the deck overlooking the Rogue River it was off to Wildlife Images, a rehabilitation and education center for native animals, located near Merlin. They have an assortment of bears, cougars, bobcats, eagles, owls, deer and an otter, raccoon and a really cute badger who wanted his belly scratched. They return 80% of the animals they receive back into the wild. Some stay at the center, participating in educational programs, to hopefully teach people to leave wild animals in the wild. You just can’t convince some people cougars and bears don’t make ideal pets.

11845 Lower River Road, 541-476-0222

www.wildlifeimages.org

We drove back to Grants Pass along the river passing the Ride the Rogue bicycle race participants. We visited the local city sports park on the river where they had just finished a new pedestrian bridge and river trails. Also on the banks were huge spec houses. The prices were already reduced as they sat across the street from the sport courts and right next door to the sewage treatment center. For dinner we checked out a local Oregon company: Abby’s Pizza! In Grants Pass it served as birthday party central.

205 NE Beacon Drive, 541-476-2133

www.abbys.com

Back at the hotel, we went down to the swimming pool, which was situated between the Holiday Inn Express and the Best Western. The pool was super warm and the spa was huge. They have a really nice continental breakfast at the HIEx. And you get your choice of pillows – firm or soft.

105 NE Agness Avenue, 541-471-6144

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/graex

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The next morning after eating at another locally-owned restaurant (Elmer’s), we headed into the Applegate valley to visit Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary. It’s the only licensed wolf refuge in Oregon. They take in wolves that have been kept as illegal pets or injured in some way. They don’t do any breeding, just education. They are looking to move to a larger location so if you know anyone with an extra 100 acres near Grants Pass, give them a call!

555 Davidson Road, Williams, 541-846-8962

www.howlingacres.org

175 NE Agness Avenue, 541-474-0740

http://www.elmers-restaurants.com/

I recommend Grants Pass and Southern Oregon as a great weekend trip. Rafting in the hot summer sun next year would definitely be a great time. The guide told stories of epic water fights between jet boats and rafts. A road trip to a new spot in Oregon every weekend would be a fabulous way to live.

www.visitgrantspass.org

- Jennifer Archer, Travel Oregon

Editor’s Note: For attractions, events, dining and other road trip ideas in Southern Oregon, check out our Southern Oregon page or visit www.sova.org