Request for Insight on the Owyhee River, Oregon

[Mason]

Our fall back plan is the Grand Ronde. I haven't done any research of my own yet but my buddies say it should be runnable.

The Grande Ronde is a fun trip. We did the Minam to Troy section many years ago. Pretty country--no idea on water levels.

 

[ppine]

The Grande Ronde River is my favorite of all time. The wildlife safari. Wild and Scenic River requires firepan and portable sanitation. Clean and gorgeous camp sites. Great vegetation types. It is remote in a deep canyon. Few roads.

We put in at Minam and took out at Boggan's Oasis in Washington State. About 78 miles in a week. It was at 3000-5000m cfs. A deep canyon.

We took rafts. Lots of drift boats. Few canoes except experts. Bighorn sheep, elk crossing the river, and bald eagles all day long. I took a nap and woke with a fawn staring at me from 8 feet.

 

[Mason]

The Grande Ronde River is my favorite of all time. The wildlife safari. Wild and Scenic River requires firepan and portable sanitation. Clean and gorgeous camp sites. Great vegetation types. It is remote in a deep canyon. Few roads.

We put in at Minam and took out at Boggan's Oasis in Washington State. About 78 miles in a week. It was at 3000-5000m cfs. A deep canyon.

We took rafts. Lots of drift boats. Few canoes except experts. Bighorn sheep, elk crossing the river, and bald eagles all day long. I took a nap and woke with a fawn staring at me from 8 feet.

Sounds like it's changed a bit since I paddled it in 1988. No other boats, no restrictions, me in my Wenonah WWC1, brother,his wife and toddler in my old Penobscot, and friend in probably a kayak (or maybe a MR Explorer). Certainly nice trip and good country.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

@Pseudonym , you might also want to consider the John Day from Clarno to Willow Creek.