Owyhee River (Lower): Rome to Leslie Gulch

FLOW

• USGS Gauge: Owyhee River NR Rome OR - USGS Water Data for the Nation
• The American Whitewater recommended flow range is 750 – 3000 cfs. At flows <750 cfs two rapids become Class IV.
• Average gradient: 13 feet/mile between Rome and Pinnacle Point.
• Snowpack information for the Owyhee River Basin (see USDA NRCS web site) can be used for predicting flows. When the snowpack at South Mountain goes to zero, the Owyhee typically drops below 900 cfs. When the snowpack at Jack Creek Upper goes to zero, the river typically drops below 300 cfs.

Flows at upstream gages are also useful for predicting flows:

• Flows at Crutcher’s Crossingare typically a day ahead of flows at the Rome gauge.
• Flows at Mountain Cityare typically 2 1/2 days ahead of Rome.

Put-ins & Take-outs

Rome put-in

• Rome Boat Launch: on the upstream river right side of the bridge in Rome at a site administered by the Bureau of Land Management. It can be busy when flows are optimal. Camping is allowed. Self no fee permit registration at kiosk.

Take-outs

• RM 51: Birch Creekon the right. The road requires a high clearance 4WD and some creek crossings. If this access is not washed out or closed, the trip can end here. Camping with toilet, shade and grass is available. Car shuttle drop off.
• RM 55.5 Pinnacle Point. Flat water begins and pick up location for water taxi to Leslie Gulch. Approximately .5 mile past Pinnacle Point motor boat can land and load gear.
• RM 68 Leslie Gulch. Requires 13 mile of flat water paddling with potential for afternoon winds with a long fetch or prearranged water taxi. Camping with toilet. Car shuttle drop off.

ON THE RIVER

rapids

• Many of the rapids have a pool-and-drop character, where pools of water extend to the lip of rapids before cascading down to a good run out. Many other rapids are long, continuous, low grade ramps. Most rapids are relatively short.
• There are over a dozen Class III rapids from Rome to Greeley.
• There are three Class III rapids that can become class IV at low flows (below 750cfs): Bulls Eye at river mile 13, Whistling Bird at river mile 31, and Montgomery at river mile 33.5.
• There are 3 weirs in the first 4 miles that are not noted on the river guide. The first is about a 1/4 mile from the Rome launch should be scouted. They typically can be paddled down but may be difficult in low flow. 
• There is a class III rapid between Hackberry camps at river mile 15.5 not noted on the river guide.

camping

• Commercial outfitters routinely run this river so the put-in can be very busy. Campsites are plentiful, first come, and are identified in the river guide. 
• Most campsites are sandy with little shade. Hackberry, Weeping Wall, and Pinnacle Rock have some shade trees.
• The final camp site, Pinnacle Peak, at 43.2794, -117.4862, is hard to see until you are upon it as the eponymous tower blends into the walls behind it. This is where the water taxi to Leslie Gulch typically picks up. 
• Campfires must be contained in a metal fire pan or on a fire blanket that protects the ground from scarring and ash. All unburned contents of the fire including ash must be removed and carried out of the river corridor.

WATER sources

Water is reliably available from Weeping Wall Spring on left at river mile 17.5, and Rinehart Falls on river left at river mile 39.5. Water should be filtered before drinking. 

HIKES

• Hike Out camp to the rim is 20 minutes one way on a trail. From the rim there are vast views of the prairie and views deep down into the canyon.  Worth the short stop to stretch the legs even if you don't camp here. 
• Lambert Dome from Chalk camp is 30 minutes one way on a trail. There is also a short slot canyon en route. The multicolor sedimentary rock layers are particularly striking at sunrise. 
• Cabin ruins on river right is a 10 minute hike up a dry wash to an abandoned collapsed cabin. Stay left at the beach to avoid the bog and bushwack up the hill. 
• Rinehart Falls, at 43.2056, -117.6275, is a 7 minute walk on a faint trail down river and the historical ranch at Birch Creek. The shimmering white waterfalls cascading down several tiers is a striking contrast to the barren desolate canyon surroundings. 

sites TO SEE

• Bogus Falls (43.0971, -117.7082) is high on the cliff band river right. 
• Potters Cave (43.1178,-117.7055), on river right around the bend past Driftwood Camp, is somewhat misleading. It's an alcove with a large ramada but all the ancient artifacts have long been looted. It is a 2 minute walk up a well defined use trail.  
• Two Room Cave (43.1372, -117.6952) is on river left shortly after Whistling Bird Rapid.  It is a deep cave with a ceiling  and the sandy beach makes for a nice lunch spot.
• Rinehart Falls (43.2056, -117.6275) is a nearly 30 foot multi-tier cascading falls worth the easy approach hike.
• Juniper Canyon Petroglyphs (43.2065, -117.5868) is on river left behind a copse of Juniper. There is Two Long People and an undecipherable squiggly art piece on nearby boulders.
• Greeley Hot Springs (43.2096, -117.5426) is on river left. There is a use trail leading behind camp to the springs.

LOGISTICS

PERMITS

Self-issued at put-in:  idaho_OwyheeWSRRiver_permit1.pdf

GUIDES, MAPS & ONLINE RESOURCES

• River Guide BLM Owyhee River Map (PDF)
• The BLM resources Owyhee Wild & Scenic River | Bureau of Land Management
• Whitewater River Guide Owyhee-River-Map.pdf

CAR SHUTTLES

• BLM office in Vale 451-473-3144 for a list of shuttle services
• Judy’s Adventure 458-224-9165 (no Thursdays)
• Owyhee River Runners  541-780-4005

HUMAN WASTE

Human waste must be carried out in a “leak-proof, water proof container."

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The BLM requires that parties carry one spare paddle for every three boats.

EMERGENCY HIKEOUTS

Pruitt’s Castle, Lambert Dome, Pothole.

Notes

• This small pocket of Oregon is the only part of the state that runs on Mountain Time, so set your clocks accordingly.
• There is only one restaurant in Rome so check if it's open if you plan to eat there.  Ontario is the nearest large town for groceries and restaurants. 
• The water taxi from Pinnacle Peak to Leslie Gulch can take as long as 1.5 grueling hours if the boat is loaded, or can be as fast as 15 minutes if it has a light load and can get on plane. 
• Shuttle service pick up at Birch Creek Take Out by Owyhee River Runners and is a 2 hour drive to Rome.  This saves the 1.5 hour flatwater paddle to Pinnacle Peak and the water taxi to Leslie Gulch. For those with a time constraint this could save a day.

photo by jean nahan

• Suitable Activities: Packrafting
• Seasons: March, April, May, June
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: *Varies*, Class III+ River, Class IV River
• Length: 67.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: -700 ft
• High Point: 3,600 ft

• Land Manager: Oregon-Washington BLM
• Parking Permit Required: BLM Permits & Passes
• Recommended Party Size: 7
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12