WHITEWATER RAFTING

Grande Ronde River Scenic Float

The Grande Ronde trip begins on the Wallowa River, a Grande Ronde tributary. Both the Grande Ronde and the Wallowa flow out of the Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon, "Oregon's Alps". The Wallowa is clear, swift and steep. Most of the rapids encountered are Class II, but several are rated Class II+ to III: Minam Roller, Redrock, and Vincent Falls. (Rapids are rated I through VI. Class I indicates the smallest rapids, while VI indicates steep, turbulent, dangerous rapids and waterfalls.)

You'll join the Grande Ronde roughly ten miles downstream. (The Wallowa is actually the larger of the two rivers in terms of flow, but the Grande Ronde, being the longer, gets to keep its name past the confluence.) Below the confluence the pace slows, but several long class II+ rapids remain, including Sheep Creek and Martin's Misery.

The float takes you through what is thought of as some of the most beautiful and varied mountain scenery in the West. Bald eagles, black bears, and Rocky Mountain elk make their home here, and glacier lilies color the hillsides. Camp in beautiful meadows dotted with ponderosa pines and fragrant mock orange. The camps are good places to fish, bird watch, or hunt for wildflowers - all rewarding pastimes here. Take a walk and you may see columbine, sego lily, lupine or shooting stars growing along the shoreline, and golden eagles, pileated woodpeckers, western meadowlarks and evening grosbeaks in the sky above.

This tour may not be as well known as tours on rivers such as the Rogue or the Salmon, but it is their equal in many ways, and it is the one to choose if you're looking for mild rapids. It's a little-known gem of a trip. Join this journey, and discover its many facets for yourself!

Grande Ronde trips are normally three days in length, but extended, five-day trips are available by request. Please contact O.R.E.'s office for details.

Trip Details

First Morning:
Meet at 9:00am on the day your trip begins on the riverbank adjacent to the Minam Store in Minam, Oregon. Minam is approximately 35 miles northeast of La Grande, and roughly 260 miles east of Portland. (Please have your breakfast before the meeting time, and arrive in your river clothes.) Look for O.R.E.'s boats, and for a vehicle sporting the O.R.E. logo. They'll show you how to pack your things into the river bags, and you'll park your vehicles nearby. Then, after a short safety and orientation briefing, which will include instruction on paddle and rowing techniques as needed, you'll be on your way downstream.

On the River:
Each day is a bit different. A typical day on the river begins with freshly brewed coffee around 7:00am, and breakfast by 8:00am. After breakfast, pack your bags and load the boats. Then, after a brief orientation to the day’s adventures, head downstream.

You'll be on the river between three and five hours per day. Along the way you will stop for a riverside picnic lunch. You may also stop to scout rapids, or to take a short hike up scenic side streams. Usually, arrival in camp is by mid to late afternoon, and while the guides prepare hors d’oeuvres and dinner, you’ll have time to hike, fish, read, or nap.

Last Day:
Typically arrival at Powatka Bridge, your take-out point, takes place between 1:30pm and 3:00pm. Once you’ve unpacked, board a van or bus for the ride back to Minam. (On small trips, you will completely de-rig the boats, and your guides will accompany you back to Minam. On larger trips, you will say good-bye to the guides when you leave the take-out, as they will stay behind to finish de-rigging.) The ride takes about 2.5 hours, and is an exceptionally scenic drive. Arrive back in Minam between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.