Rogue River - Grave Creek (Galice) to Foster Bar

FLOW

• USGS Gauge: Rogue River near Agness, OR
• NOAA National Water Prediction Service: Rogue River near Agness
• NOAA Northwest River Forecast Center: Rogue River near Agness (AGNO3)
• Flow is dam-controlled and the river can be run all year
• American Whitewater’s recommended flow range: 1,200 – 2,500 cfs low runnable; 2,500 - 10,000 cfs medium runnable; 10,000 - 30,000 cfs high runnable.

PUT-INS

• Galice is reached from I-5 exit 61, head west towards Galice. Either put in at Galice, 3 miles downstream at Almeda Park, or at Grave Creek, another 4 miles downstream at a bridge.

TAKE-OUT

Reach the Foster Bar Boat Launch by turning onto the Galice Creek Road about 1000 ft upstream of Galice. Continue to the North Fork Galice Creek Road, Bear Camp Road (National Forest Road NF-23), and Agness Road (National Forest Road NF 33). If this route is closed by snow or slides, Oregon Hwy 199 is the alternate route.

ON THE RIVER

The run is 35 miles and trips typically take 3-4 days. The run is generally Class III+ to IV-. Campsites are abundant.

Rainie Falls, 2 miles downstream of the Graves Creek put-in, is the first of two difficult rapids. Scout from a portage trail on river left. Rainie Falls is Class V, and most people run the smaller fish-ladder channel (Class III) that was blasted into the far right bank. Mule Creek Canyon is the longest continuous whitewater section with Class III+ rapids leading to Coffee Pot, a Class IV- constriction. Not long after leaving this canyon is the second major rapid of the run. Blossom Bar (Class IV-). Scout from river right; the standard run is to enter left and then cut to center.

LOGISTICS

Permits

• Permits are by lottery from May 15 through October 15; cancelled or unclaimed permits can be obtained directly from the BLM Rogue River permit office. Permits are self-issued at the Rogue River permit office from October 16 through May 14 .

Guides, Maps & Online Resources

• The BLM and USFS Rogue River Boater’s Guide includes the shuttle route and the locations of rapids and campsites.
• Soggy Sneakers describes the river and trip logistics.
• The American Whitewater website describes the run in: Rogue 5. Grave Creek (Galice) to Foster Bar (Agness)

Car Shuttles

• The 44 miles between Galice and Foster Bar takes about 2 hours one way. The alternate route on Oregon Hwy 199 is 193 miles and takes about 5 hours one way. The BLM Rogue River web site has current shuttle road conditions. Local shuttle services are available.

Bear Safety

Bears are habituated to boaters in camps along the river. Store food in sealed containers and within electric bear fences at the camps where these are provided.

Water

Filter or otherwise treat water before use.

Human Waste

The BLM describes approved systems for carrying out human waste.

• Suitable Activities: Packrafting
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Class III+ River, Class IV River
• Length: 35.0 mi

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