Trip
Whitewater Packraft - John Day River: Clarno to Thirtymile
A relaxing float down the best section of the John Day. One or two class III rapids on day 1 that can be portaged. We will leave after the July 4th crowds in order to get prime campsites.
Contacts
- Sat, Jul 6, 2024 — Tue, Jul 9, 2024
- Seattle Packrafting Committee
- Packrafting
- Adults
- Class II River, Class III River
- Moderate
- Mileage: 69.0 mi
- Pace: 5 mph
- 5 (5 capacity)
- 2 (2 capacity)
- Wed, Jun 12, 2024 at 7:15 PM
- Wed, Jul 3, 2024 at 5:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- iCal Google
Participants must either arrange their own permit from recreation.gov for John Day River - Overnight Permits, Area: 2A High Season, Jul 06 2024, Jul 09 2024 or let me know and I can try to add to my permit.
Water flow is higher this year than last year. Although late in the season, we should be fine in packrafts and we are hoping to be after the seasonal big boat crowds.
This is about halfway to the Roundup in Idaho. I will be heading to the Payette directly from the take-out.
Details to follow. We will coordinate either driving down Saturday morning for a Saturday afternoon launch, or drive down Friday afternoon, car camp Friday night, and do a Saturday morning launch. There will be the option of taking out at Thirtymile for a 25 mile float, or continue down to Cottonwood for a 69 mile float. Miles covered will largely depend on river flow which we won't know until we get closer to launch date.
Required Equipment
Minimum Equipment for each participant
- Packraft, with grab lines on bow and stern
- Paddle, sized for a packraft
- Life jacket, PFD Class III or better
- Whitewater helmet
- Drysuit or thick wetsuit
- Closed-toe shoes, no sandals
- Spare clothing
- Boat repair kit
- Waterproof Whistle
- Minimum Equipment for the party
- Camping gear for 3 nights and food and water
Minimum Equipment for the party
- Rescue rope and throw bag, one or more as needed for the trip
- Spare paddle, one or more
- First Aid kit