Grande Ronde River

Trip

Whitewater Packraft - Wallowa & Grand Ronde Rivers

A fun and challenging week on a scenic, remote high desert river in northeast Oregon

  • *Varies*, Class III River, Class IV River
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 91.0 mi

Put in at the Minam Store (https://goo.gl/maps/TzJBtnaLCa1U3z8W9) where we’ll arrange a shuttle to the take-out at Heller Bar.

If the Grande Ronde is running too high, our back-up is to run the John Day River from Service Creek to Cottonwood (117 miles) or from Clarno to Cottonwood (69 miles).

Saturday, April 29 is being reserved as an extra day in case we run the John Day from Service Creek to Cottonwood. If we run the Grande Ronde as planned, the trip will end on Friday April 28.

Overview

This trip on a federally designated Wild and Scenic River includes the lower 10 miles of the Wallowa River and the lower 81 miles of the Grande Ronde River, known by the Nez Perce people as the Wellewah, “River that flows into the far beyond.” In the upper section between Minam and Troy, the river winds through a basalt canyon with a dense coniferous forest and has abundant, pleasant campsites. In the middle section between Troy and Boggan’s Oasis (a cafe known for its milkshakes) the canyon walls become steeper and drier, and a seldom-used rural road and ranches flank the river. The lower section, to Heller’s Bar on the Snake River,  cuts through a narrow basalt canyon which creates the river’s most significant rapids near the end of the trip, “The Narrows.”

In the event the Grande Ronde River is running too fast (higher than about 12,000 cfs; flows of about 5,000 cfs, and corresponding approximate speed of 4-5 mph, are considered optimal), we will paddle the John Day River, either Service Creek to Clarno (48 miles, Class II) and Clarno to Cottonwood (69 miles, Class II-III) sections or only Clarno to Cottonwood. The John Day, like the Grande Ronde, flows through a scenic basalt canyon, has plentiful campsites with sandy beaches and juniper trees, and the Clarno to Cottonwood section is generally more remote and has the more challenging rapids.

Our trip date in late April is well before the busy season for these rivers. The advantage of going at this time is that there will be few other parties on the river and we will see more wildlife. The river provides critical winter habitat for wildlife including bighorn sheep, elk, and deer.

River Difficulty

The Grande Ronde has several class III rapids and one Class IV rapids called “The Narrows.”  Our experience on the Grande Ronde in packrafts is that the class III rapids are mainly large wave trains and easy to descend in packrafts.  At lower water flows, some of the rapids may become more technical.  Some of the class III rapids can be portaged, some of which may involve difficult walking. Participants should anticipate paddling most of the class III rapids.  For the class IV rapid, we will stop and scout. This rapid can easily be portaged.

Expenses

These estimated trip expenses will be shared appropriately:

  • We’ll use the shuttle service run by the Minam Store to take one or two of our cars to the take-out. This will save us more than 5 hours of driving on the first day. $230/car will be a shared expense
  • A Washington State Discovery Pass is required for each car left at the take-out
  • There is no river permit fee for the Grande Ronde. If we were to run the Deschutes River, a group permit is $6.
  • We may decide to stop for a meal or treat at the Wenaha Cafe in Troy or at Boggan’s Oasis

How to Join

Read through the river and trip description above.  If it is appealing, consider the river difficulty.  If you feel the trip is within your ability, then read through the Goals, Expectations and Style as a further explanation of what this trip will be like.  If you agree with those, then to sign up contact Brian Collins (for whom this is a mentored lead).

Goals

  • Welcome all members of the Mountaineers packraft community including those relatively new to packraft trips
  • Be safe: Make decisions with risk management in mind
  • Have fun and enjoy being on the trip regardless of conditions
  • Enjoy one another’s company and create a positive culture of mutual supportiveness, respect, and kindness
  • Make it to our cars at the take-out
  • At trip end everyone feels their trip goals were met

Expectations

  • Actively contribute to achieving the group’s goals
  • Participate in group decisions and abide by decisions made by the group or the leader
  • Spend 7 days in your boat, covering up to 20 miles/day
  • Be able to assess whether you can safely paddle versus portage a rapid
  • When river conditions are more difficult, maintain group awareness and positioning to help each other
  • Don’t take risks that other group members don’t support

Style

  • About 6 hours on the river, roughly 60% paddling, 20% floating, 20% for shore breaks
  • Get up about when the sun hits camp for warmth, relaxed breakfast, on the water mid-morning, camp about 3pm-5pm, have time for relaxed evening
  • No fires
  • Shore meeting to plan the day
  • Decision-making collaborative and by consensus whenever possible
  • Planning some shared meals or meal items is encouraged but everyone is free to plan food as they wish
Route/Place

Grande Ronde River


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

Minimum Equipment for each participant 

  • Whitewater packraft (e.g., with spray deck or self bailing) with grab lines on bow and stern 
  • Life jacket, PFD Class III or better 
  • Dry suit
  • Helmet 
  • Whistle 
  • Boat repair kit 
  • The capacity to carry water for up to five days. We plan to resupply water at the Troy Resort/Wenaha Bar and Grill in Troy (46.3 miles from the start) or at Boggan’s Oasis (19.2 miles from Troy)
  • A system for packing out your human waste

Minimum Equipment for the party 

  • Rescue rope and throw bag, one or more as needed for the trip 
  • Spare paddle, one or more
  • Tarps for privacy screen and for shelter in case of rain
Trip Reports