Rogue, Oregon, US

5. Grave Creek (Galice) to Foster Bar (Agness) (34 miles)

Huggins Canyon

Huggins Canyon
Photo of Mark and Mike by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 10/03/06 @ 1350 cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

PERMITS: Applications for the annual permit lottery (for launch dates between May 15th and October 15th) are accepted between December 1st and January 31st. You can also pick up unconfirmed launch dates by phone. Weekend launches in summer can be tough to get, but if you're flexible you can usually get a permit. Off-season permits are available by request. Additional information on permits can be found on the Rogue National Wild and Scenic (NWS) River web site.

SEASON: All year possible. The peak season is May 15th to October 15th and there are wonderful opportunities for winter paddling.

LOGISTICS: The Grave Creek put-in is reached off I-5 exit 61 by heading west towards Galice. Overnight parking and camping are not allowed at the launch site. Camping and an alternative launch site can be found 4 miles upstream at Almeda Bar. The preferred shuttle route is the Bear Camp Road (FR 23) to Foster Bar Landing. The 44 mile drive takes about two hours (one way). This option may be closed due to snow or debris slides. The long route is 193 miles and takes about five hours (one way) on Oregon Highway 199, but this is along paved roads and is open through the winter. The Rogue NWS River web site has shuttle maps and current conditions. Many take advantage of one of the local shuttle services or a Rogue River rafting outfitter.

DESCRIPTION: Trips on the Rogue typically last 3-4 days and you have the unique option of camping or staying at the wilderness lodges spaced along the course of the run. Most of the information you'll need to plan a trip can be found on the BLM's Rogue NWS River web site. They even offer a full floater's guide in pdf format.You can either take a guided trip (some outfitters are geared towards kayakers and provide raft support for those who want to enjoy the river and have someone else worry about all the logistics) or organize your own non-commercial trip. If you're interested in the latter, you'll have to obtain a float permit.

Although this is a Wild and Scenic river that retains its ancient forests there is a long history of human impacts. Dams upstream, most notably Savage Rapids Dam, Gold Ray Dam, and Lost Creek Dam have decimated native salmon and steelhead runs that made this river famous.  On the run itself, extensive blasting during the 1930's and 1940's cleared boulders and "cleaned up" the rapids. Finally, jet boats zip up and down the last few miles of the run. Despite these impacts, the Rogue remains one of the Pacific Northwest's most popular multi-day whitewater trips.

Starting at the Grave Creek Boat Ramp (river mile 68.5, elevation 630') class III whitewater begins immediately with Grave Creek Falls.The first major rapid, Rainie Falls (class V), comes within two miles of the put-in at an obvious horizon line. If you're thinking about running the falls you'll want to get out and scout. The best vantage is on river left and this is also the best side to portage kayaks. An alternative is the "fish ladder" which is an artificial channel blasted out along river right. The "mid chute" is a Class IV chute down the middle that offers another option.

The river continues with more class II and III rapids before arriving at Rogue River Ranch. This is a good place to stop and prepare for Mule Creek Canyon at mile 21. This section offers the longest continuous whitewater on the run with good class III rapids through a narrow canyon. Soon after leaving this canyon at mile 23 you'll arrive at Blossom Bar (class IV) which is the second major rapid on this run. Scout the drop from river right. Jet boats can travel upstream as far as Blossom Falls so you may encounter them on the remaining 12 miles of the run.

Most take out at Foster Bar Boat Ramp (river mile 33.7) which is 34 miles from the Grave Creek put-in. The river continues 33.7 miles to the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach, but there are fewer rapids and a road along the river.

Permit Information

Lottery for permits issued during regulated use season of May 15 through October 15.