WHITEWATER RAFTING ADVENTURE BEGINS
It’s time to quit dreaming about this summer’s whitewater adventure and dive in!
This is an annual event my son and I have enjoyed for the last four years. We’re so glad you’ll be able to join us this year. The rafting adventure is set for Saturday, August 1st, 2009. We’re looking forward to many more years of whitewater adventures and hope you’ll be able to continue this tradition with us.
For this year, we’ll be rafting down the beautiful lower Deschutes River in Oregon. Most of the rapids in this trip is class III+. This is a guided trip ideal for all ages. Our guide is Riverdrifters. More information is available in the following link, Riverdrifters - Deschutes River. They have some pretty good information on what you can expect. I expect a fun day of playing in the water with a few thrills thrown in.
Here’s some information to help you plan for the trip. Riverdrifters is located in Maupin, OR. It’s about 190 miles from Tri-Cities. We’ll be doing the one-day trip. The cost is $90 each for adults, and $75 each for children 14 and under. This includes lunch and refreshments. There is a small discount we’ll share for groups of 12 or more. The trip starts at 9:45 am Saturday. Let’s meet at the park across the street from Riverdrifters at 8:45 am to take care of money and registration. Here’s a picture of the park. The park is located on your left as you drive towards the Riverdrifters.
Speaking of money, you can pay me at the park when we meet up and I’ll write them one check to cover the group. I’ll need an accurate head count of all the adults and children rafting by July 23rd (this will give me a chance to let them know how many to accommodate and figure out how to share the discount). This is also a good time to chill and go to the bathroom. From their office, they’ll bus us to the river, give us a quick safety briefing, and get everyone into life vests. Each raft will hold 8 to 12 people, so we’ll be in two to four rafts.
From previous trips, I recommend wearing shorts, shirts, bathing suits that shed water quickly (cotton is a bad choice). Sturdy neoprene sandals with ankle straps are recommended as you’ll be walking/swimming/floating over rocks. There is also a body slide about ¼ mile up from the White River confluence. We’ll have to hike up a dirt/rock/brush trail to get there. The body slide is a blast, you won’t want to miss it! Water cannons are required if you’re in my raft, optional if you’re not. Other items you’ll want to consider include waterproof sunscreens, disposable waterproof cameras, etc.
After the trip, Riverdrifters will bus us back to their office. You can purchase pictures of the trip, taken by photographers posted at various locations along the river. I plan to purchase a set (CD) of pictures in digital format. Let me know if anyone would like to go in on a set. A sample picture is shown below. This was taken in our last trip down the Deschutes in ’06.
If you enjoyed the trip, it is highly recommended that you tip your guide. I usually give them $5-$10 for each person in my party. I’ll be covering the tip for four of us; myself, my son, my cousin, and an out of state guest.
Maupin is close enough to do this trip in one day (one long day). I chose not to, because I don’t want to drive back tired. I have reserved a couple of camp sites at a nearby US Forest Service campground for Friday and Saturday nights (sites 10 & 11). It’s Rock Creek Campground, located about 30 miles from Maupin. The campground has a six person per site policy. I’ll share my sites on a first come first served basis. The campground host seemed pretty flexible on the six person rule, but has indicated there will be extra charges for additional vehicles (over two). The campground also have a few first-come-first-served sites. Some sites can accommodate small RV’s, mine does not. Whether you’re camping or doing it in a day, carpools are always encouraged.
There are also a number of primitive camp sites located along the river, available on a first-come-first-served basis. These sites have restrooms, but no running water. There are also campsite in Maupin City Park, which accommodates RV, have bathroom, and water, but is usually pretty full. All these sites are on a first-come-first-served basis.
There aren’t many restaurants in Maupin. I know of three, the Oasis, a bar & grill by the bridge, and a BBQ place that just opened up. Your choices for dining are pretty limited until you get back out to The Dalles. There is a small grocery store in Maupin, but its supplies are very limited.
For those spending some time around Maupin, there’s also a local swimming hole. It’s at the White River Falls State Park, below the abandoned powerhouse. The water is refreshing, current is slow, and about chin deep. You’ll find me there Friday afternoon, if it’s hot out. Bring your camera to capture the good times. The falls are also very picturesque. Here’s a pictures of the falls.
I’ll be leaving Tri-Cities Friday morning. I expect to arrive at the camp sites in the early afternoon. Julie will be there Thursday, Deb and her family will be there Friday. Feel free to stop by and hang out. The campground is about 12 miles from Tygh Valley, which is on the way to Maupin. To get there, turn right at Tygh Valley intersection and head towards Wamic on Wamic Market Rd. Go through Wamic and get on Rock Creek Dam Rd. There will be signs leading to the campground about a mile out.
To get to Maupin from Tri-Cities, go south on 395 and follow Columbia River west, Washington or Oregon side is your choice. Oregon side is faster, but Washington side is more interesting (Maryhill Winery, and the Stonehenge). Turn south at The Dalles on US 197. I’ve attached a map showing the area once you get up the hill (US 197) from The Dalles.
If there are any questions about this trip, please feel free to call me at home (509) 542-8310, my cell (509) 318-3528, or e-mail me at the following link Floyd.