The Upper Klamath blazes through the remote Cascades of southern Oregon and northern California. The first five miles of this wild and scenic river provide a great Class III warm-up, then it’s hard core the rest of the way with over 30 massive rapids in 17 river miles. Dam-controlled, the Upper Klamath is a powerhouse all season long. In late summer, increased dam releases can bump it up to a daring Class V. The region has an authentic Old West flavor with an abundance of wildlife, especially hawks, herons and eagles. Since this is a jagged, volcanic rock canyon, wet suits are mandatory all summer long, and are included in the trip cost.
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Trip Itinerary
Day 1: You’ll meet your trip leader and fellow adventurers at 7:00am at the Tree House Motor Inn in Mt. Shasta. Please be dressed in your river clothes and have everything you are taking on the river ready to go (O.A.R.S. suggests you pack your gear in a soft nylon duffel bag if possible). Be sure to eat breakfast prior to the meeting time. As soon as everyone has arrived, you will load up the gear and drive to put-in (approximately a two-hour drive).
At put-in O.A.R.S. will hand out your wetsuits, lifejackets, and helmets. After a short safety talk, launch the rafts. Put in just below John Boyle Powerhouse and warm up with a few river miles of Class III whitewater. Lunch will be served riverside.
As you enter the Upper Klamath gorge you can feel the gradient drop to 75 feet per mile. Hit class III+ to IV+ rapids beginning with “Caldera”, a 150 foot long boulder-choked chute of whitewater. Other rapids such as “Hell’s Corner”, “Ambush”, and “Snag Island Falls” will challenge your whitewater skills and pump up the adrenaline. After Snag Island , load up the van and drive to the evening campsite to enjoy a well earned, delicious dinner.
Day 2: Begin with a sumptuous and hearty breakfast and then re-pack the gear for another shot at the Upper Klamath gorge. Another wonderful riverside lunch, then it’s back to the wild whitewater! Once through the gorge the river widens out and you will have a few Class III drops over old diversion dams, ending with the takeout at Copco Lake. Board the van for an approximate one-hour drive back to Mount Shasta and your cars.
Reservation Policy
A $125/person deposit is required at the time of reservation. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure.
COMPLIMENTARY VISITOR GUIDES
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