Rafting and Hiking the Rogue River

Destination: Merlin, OR

The Rogue River is one of the most famous western rivers - and with good reason. Our trip takes place on the most scenic portion, flowing through the heart of the Rogue River Wilderness. For those who love to hike, a gentle, fairly flat riverside trail takes you past old homesteads, through fields of wildflowers, and to ever changing vistas of the river below. For those who love rafting, the class II-IV rapids offer just the right level of challenge for novice and intermediate rafters. The hardest part of each day may be deciding which you want to do that day. Remote riverside lodges offer us the luxury of a comfortable bed, hot showers, and cold drinks each night. Maximum group size: 15

Please Note: On this trip the deposit is non-refundable unless we can fill your space from a waiting list.
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Highlights

Float, paddle, and raft over class II-IV rapids in oar boats, paddle boats, or duckies
Hike through one of the nation's finest river canyons on a trail rich with spring wildflowers
Stay in wilderness lodges each night with hot showers and comfortable beds
Watch for wildlife including eagles, songbirds and waterfowl
Learn about the human history of the area as we pass historic homesteads

Departures and Prices

May 29 to June 03, 2020

$2050.00 - Available

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Inclusions

Female rafting guides and an Adventures in Good Company group leader
Five nights double occupancy accommodation in lodges as detailed in the itinerary
Meals from dinner on Friday through breakfast the following Wednesdayday
All transportation from the time you arrive at the lodge
5% Land and water access fees

What's not included: Transportation to and from the Morrison's Rogue River Lodge in Merlin OR, alcoholic beverages (although limited beer and wine are provided by ROW), guide gratuities, and travel insurance.

Details

The trip requires some aerobic conditioning, such as walking vigorously up hills, jogging, cross country skiing or stair stepping for 30 - 45 minutes at least 3 - 4 times a week. Additional endurance exercise may be suggested. There are typically 4 to 6 hours of daily activity.

This trip is suitable for any healthy, active woman with good mobility who wants a whitewater rafting trip. You can paddle at least half the day or not at all, and you can hike the entire day, a half day, or not at all. You must have sufficient agility to get in and out of rafts in moving water. No previous rafting or hiking experience is required. While this trip is suitable for a variety of fitness levels, you will have the best option of engaging in all activities if you are prepared for a level 3 trip. Prior to beginning a level 3 trip, participants should be engaging in aerobic conditioning, such as walking vigorously up hills, jogging, cross country skiing or stair stepping for 30 - 45 minutes at least 3 - 4 times a week. Rating: [1] [2] [3] 4 5.

Our Rogue River rafting trip allows you to choose between hiking and rafting as much as you want. When you're on the river, there will be a combination of oar boats (you hang on) and paddle boats (you help supply the power). There will be 1-2 inflatable kayak (you are the power) to try out. Oar boats are always an option and the amount of time you spend on the others depends on how many women are interested in which. You will also have the option of hiking for half or whole days on the trail that meanders through the river canyon.

We'll spend the first and last nights at Morrison's Rogue River Lodge in Merlin, OR. Along the way we will be staying at comfortable wilderness lodges with hot showers and comfortable beds.

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Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1

Our trip begins today when we meet at Morrison's Rogue River Lodge in Merlin, OR at 5pm. If you're flying in, the closest airport is Medford (MFR) and we will help you arrange a shuttle from there to our lodging. If you're driving, you can plan to leave your vehicles at the lodge. At 5pm we'll gather for introductions before meeting with our river guides for an orientation, where you can have any last minute questions answered and receive your waterproof gear bags. Following the orientation we'll have dinner together at the lodge. D

DAY 2

Today and most days you can choose whether you want to spend the entire day hiking, the entire day rafting, or switch between the two at lunch. We will meet the guide at 7:45 and drive to Grave Creek, the starting point of the hike and raft. If you hike, the total length of the hike is 9.6 miles to Black Bar Lodge. Many historic sites along the way are one of the highlights of the trip and the guide will share stories of their history along the way. We'll meet up with the rafting group for a sumptuous riverside lunch and you can decide at that point whether to raft or continue hiking. If you continue hiking, at the end of the day you will be ferried across the river in a raft to the Lodge. If you decide to raft you will get fitted with PFDs and go through a safety orientation. After orientation everyone chooses a raft (paddle or oar-powered). We can't promise you can always have your boat of choice but we'll make sure we have a good mix of boats with plenty of time in the craft of your choice. The river starts gently but soon becomes more exciting as we encounter our first rapids. About noon we enter the wild & scenic section of the Wild Rogue River at a rapid called Grave Creek. After lunch the afternoon is filled with several Class II and III rapids, and we'll arrive at the lodge around 4:30.

Regardless of whether we arrive at the Lodge on foot or by raft, we'll have time to clean up as the guide prepare hors d'oeuvres as well as complimentary regional wine, beer, and sodas for you to enjoy before dinner. Dinner is about 7:00 and afterwards you can play cards, read your book, or go outside and gaze at the stars. The lodge's generator shuts down at 10:00 and the stargazing gets even better then. B, L, D

DAY 3

Tea and coffee is available at 7:00am, followed by a hearty breakfast at 7:30am. Today's hike to Marial Lodge is about 15 miles, again along a gentle trail that passes old homesteads as it presents ever changing vistas of the river below. We'll meet the rafters about halfway through for lunch again, and you can decide how to spend the rest of the day. For the rafters, the river alternates between quieter water and bouncy exciting Class II and III rapids. In late afternoon we'll pull over for a stop at the Rogue River Ranch. The Ranch, a museum and interpretive center, is a vivid example of early pioneer history and a fascinating place to visit. Regardless of what combination you choose, we'll spend tonight at Marial Lodge. After relaxing time, hors d'oeuvres, and dinner, you'll have the option for a lovely hike down a trail that leads to a spectacular waterfall. This lodge has power available all night. B, L, D

DAY 4

Today you'll need to choose between hiking and rafting as there is no opportunity for a swap at lunch. It's a shorter day with a more casual pace and more time in the afternoon to soak in the peace and quiet of the area. The hike is 5 miles to Paradise Lodge and since it is relatively short, anyone who was not on the rafting trip in the afternoon yesterday can start with a hike back to the Rogue River ranch before continuing downstream. For the rafters it is short and intense day, with the most exciting rapids of the trip: Mule Creek Canyon, Blossom Bar, and Devils Staircase are all Class IV and absolutely spectacular. Regardless of which way you go, we'll arrive early afternoon and have some extra time today just to relax. Of course you also can always choose to hike back up the trail for a chance to see the river from a different perspective. B, L, D

DAY 5

We'll be ending our trip today at Foster Bar in mid-afternoon. If you choose to hike, we'll be starting a bit earlier today for our 6.5 mile hike to Flora Del, where we'll have lunch and meet up with the rafters. For the rafters, the remainder of the trip is Class II and III rapids which, after yesterday, will feel like a piece of cake! After lunch we all get in the rafts for one final and exciting stretch of river to the take out. We'll be met by our vans for the 2-hour drive on a winding and scenic road back over the mountains. We'll be back at Morrison's Lodge about 5 or 5:30 and have time to clean up before gathering for our final farewell dinner. Tonight we'll share memories and laughter, as we toast the peace of the river and the fun we've had. B, L, D

DAY 6

You are free to leave anytime today. If you've driven, you might want to continue your adventure with a visit to Crater Lake National Park or Redwoods National Park. Medford is only 20 miles from Ashland and its year round Shakespeare Festival in case that has ever interested you. If you are returning to the airport today, we'll assist in coordinating shuttles so you can depart with others who are leaving at the same time. B

Trip Summary

Packing List