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Additional
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Owyhee River Trip Home Page:
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Why Choose Destination Wilderness For Your Owyhee River
Trip?
Destination Wilderness offers the most
complete Owyhee river trips available. Consider all that we provide on this
great river:
 It
is Your Trip Not Ours. We have been running Owyhee river trips for years
and years and believe that the best trip is the trip you desire. We provide a
foundation of safety and seamless logistics, and have a wealth of knowledge
about the Owyhee. From there we create the trip you want, adjusting our style
to your wants and needs rather than asking you to fit into our agenda. Among
many things can include providing for specific meal requests, stopping for
extended side canyon hikes, camping near good fishing holes, and so on.
Smaller Group Size.
Typically, our Owyhee river trips are limited to 10 guests and three or four
guides. We have the ability to take more at select times during the season, but
we generally prefer to keep group sizes reasonable in order to maximize your
wilderness experience.
At Least Two Boats and Two Guides Per Trip. On all of Owyhee
river trips we always have at least two licensed
guides
on the water. We believe that the safest possible trip starts with appropriate
staffing and that just one guide on the water is not as effective as two or
more. Therefore, we always have at least two boats and two guides on each
trip.
 Full Safety Orientation and
Gear. Before each Owyhee river trip we provide a thorough safety and
instructional presentation. For example, as part of our full safety gear
ensemble each client that paddles in the inflatable kayaks are provided with
helmets. We also provide wetsuits and paddle jackets free of charge when
needed.
Personable
Guest to Guide Ratio. We run trips with one guide for every three to four
guests, a ratio that we feel enhances each guest's experience in terms of
safety, comfort, and good company!
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River Difficulty
The
Owyhee is a class III-III+ river. Each day on the river we moderately
challenging rapids that are ideal for first time rafters and experienced river
runners. Certain days are more rapid-filled than others, and there are many
long and peaceful calms with scenery that has been described as the most
beautiful on earth. While the difficulty of the rapids are mild to moderate it
is important to note that the Owyhee's isolation adds some risk to the
trip.
River Difficulty Scale: Class I is flat water and Class VI is
unrunnably difficult. Class II has current with small waves and some
obstacles.Class III rapids are fun and thrilling, ideal for first-time and
experienced rafters. Class IV whitewater is great for experienced rafters and
reasonable for fit first-timers who have had some warm-up in class III. Class V
is very difficult and for experienced river rafters.
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 Trip Outline
Meeting Time: 8:00 a.m. the first day of your trip at
the Sahara Motel, in Jordan Valley, Oregon. We return to Jordan Valley by late
afternoon on the last day of your trip.
Jordan Valley, Oregon, is located in the southeastern corner of
Oregon, just west of the Idaho state line on Highway 95, approximately 70 miles
southwest of Boise, Idaho. It is a small hamlet with a couple of comfortable
motels. Boise has a major commercial airport that is served by many different
airlines. Shuttle transportation can be arranged from Boise to Jordan
Valley.
Trip Departure: Approximately
11:00 a.m. the first day of your trip. There will be a comprehensive
orientation and safety talk at the put-in before getting on the water.
Daily Itinerary
Day One:
Your trip leader and river shuttle vehicle
will meet you at the Sahara Motel on the first day of your trip. There he or
she will distribute waterproof "dry" bags, answer any last minute questions,
and help assure that your car is parked in a secure parking area. Following
this introduction you will pack your camp clothes, sleeping bag, etc., into the
dry bag (be sure to keep any items you want during the day out of this dry bag,
as we have separate "day" dry bags). We will then drive approximately
forty-five minutes to the Owyhee river near Rome, Oregon, where the rafts and
other guides will be. Your dry bags will then be rigged into the gear boats and
you will participate in a thorough instructional and safety presentation. Then,
its on the river!
 The Owyhee river
trip starts off with a relatively mild section that allows you to gain comfort
and confidence before tackling the first big rapids. The rapids, through which
you can paddle in rafts or just hold on as a passenger in an oar raft, grow in
size as we move down river. Late in the first day we enter the first of many
deep and steep canyons. We make camp on a sandy beach, where you can enjoy a
happy hour snack and unwind as the guides make the first of many delicious
dinners. On this and each subsequent night the campfire lights the night sky
and the sound of the river lulls us to sleep.
Subsequent Days (The
number of days varies according to your trip length):
Each day on the
Owyhee follows a similar routine, although no two days are alike. Breakfast, a
multi-course affair with hot cowboy coffee or campfire cocoa, is served as the
sun creeps into the canyon. After breaking camp and loading the rafts we run
rapids, drift through quiet calms, marvel at the dramatic geologic phenomena,
revel in the silence, and so on. We also stop to explore side canyons and
towering spires. Highlights of Owyhee trips can include running Whistling Bird
and Montgomery rapids, freshening up at Weeping Wall Springs, soaking in
riverside hot springs, and hiking up through Chalk Basin. Lunch is set up each
day around noon, with more than enough delicious food to energize you for the
afternoon’s adventure. In the late afternoon we again set up camp in
another beautiful and secluded wild place. The early evening hours provide time
to hike, read a book, enjoy happy hour snacks and beverages, or take a nap.
Dinner, in all of its glory, is prepared and served each evening with style and
flair. You will eat to your stomach’s content meals that have been labeled
as the finest outdoor cuisine imaginable.
Final Day:
After breakfast we break camp and
float the final stretch of the magical Owyhee. Early in the afternoon we
rendezvous with our tow boat where the river meets Lake Owyhee. From here we
are towed over the lake to Leslie Gulch, our take-out boat ramp. This portion
of the trip takes approximately two hours. We often eat lunch while being towed
across the lake, or just before we meet the motor launch. Once at Leslie Gulch,
the guides quickly de-rig the rafts and load them on the shuttle vehicle.
Following a celebration toast and salute to a great Owyhee river trip we drive
back to Jordan Valley. The drive back to Jordan Valley takes approximately 1.5
hours.
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Getting
to the Owyhee/Jordan Valley Area
By Air:
Boise,
Idaho, has the nearest commercial airport with services by major airlines.
These airlines include United, Delta, Northwest, Alaska, Horizon, and
Southwest. As the drive between the river and Boise is just under two hours,
please plan to fly into Boise the day before your trip and to leave the morning
after your trip. Van shuttles from Boise to Jordan Valley are available for a
small fee and can be arranged through our office.
By Car:
Jordan Valley
is located along Highway 95 near the southern Oregon/Idaho border. The town is
about 70 miles southwest of Boise, Idaho. From all directions, follow 95 into
town. Please plan to arrive in Jordan Valley or the Boise area the evening
before your trip. Please note that Jordan Valley is a very small town, with few
services. Also, Jordan Valley and Boise are located in the Mountain Time Zone.
Estimated driving times:
Boise to Jordan Valley: 1.5 hours
Seattle to Jordan Valley: 11 hours
Portland to Jordan Valley: 8 hours
Where To Stay
We recommend the
following hotels for before and after your trip:
The Basque Station: (541)
586-2244
There are also many hotels in Boise, Idaho and surrounding
communities. Please contact our office for a list of these
places.
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 Natural History
The Owyhee has been
called the loneliest river in the continental United States. Its remote,
isolated, back-of-beyond location has earned it this reputation. Tucked in the
very southeast corner of Oregon, the river flows through secret canyons most
Oregonians don’t even know about. On the Owyhee boaters will discover hot
springs, caves, abandoned ranches, and a variety of desert wildlife.
The Lower Owyhee also offers intermediate whitewater and dramatic
wilderness scenery that includes narrow gorges, badlands, and open sage brush
valleys. This is a remarkable place that rivals any river canyon in astonishing
beauty. In 400 miles from its headwaters in northern Nevada to its confluence
with the Snake River on the Oregon-Idaho border, the Owyhee passes just one
town: Rome, Oregon, estimated population 50. The Owyhee’s 11,000
square-mile watershed has more cattle than people. The USGS didn’t even
bother to print maps for much of the area until the late 1980’s. Today,
primarily ranchers make up the population of the area around Rome and the
Owyhee. Evidence of ranches of old can be spotted from the Owyhee, and are a
testament to southeast Oregon’s harsh and rugged environment.
Most
of the Owyhee region gets less than 10 inches of rain in an average year,
making this a tough place to carve out a life. It is the combination of light
precipitation and the low elevation watershed that renders the river runnable
for just a few months a year. However, in spite of the paucity of rainfall, the
weather in the Owyhee River canyon is quite capricious, and can change from
warm and dry to cold and windy in a matter of seconds.
So why is this,
the driest river in the Pacific Northwest, named after a tropical paradise?
Indeed, Owyhee (Oh-WHY-hee) is just an old-fashioned spelling of Hawaii. It
seems that in the early 1800’s, "Owyhans" often came to the continent
seeking work with trapping or exploring expeditions. In 1819 three islanders
joined a party under Donald McKenzie (of McKenzie River fame). Accounts vary,
but one way or another the Owyhans wound up missing and presumed dead in the
vicinity of the river. Some say they were killed by Indians. Others assert that
McKenzie sent them off downstream and they never returned. In any case their
surviving comrades named the river after them. Boaters may also wonder why
Rome, Oregon was named for the great world city. Apparently, early travelers
crossing the Owyhee thought the eroded white bluffs along the river resembled
Roman columns.
The Owyhee flows much of its length through a slot-like
chasm in a relatively flat volcanic plateau-the high plains desert. The Lower
Owyhee (where our trip takes place) alternates between dark volcanic gorges and
open valleys of softer ash or sedimentary rock. Compacted volcanic ash deposits
were carved by erosion to create the Owyhee’s colorful canyon walls and
rock pinnacles. Throughout this ash deposit there are basalt lava flows that
are over 15 million years old. Numerous hot springs attest to fiery forces
lingering beneath the surface—forces that produced eruptions as recently
as 5,000 years ago.
 The flora and fauna
of this region is unique and rich. The crevices and rocky crags in the Owyhee
canyon serve as ideal homes for the diverse bird population found along the
river. Assorted songbirds, eagles, and even goose have been spotted on the
Owyhee. Golden eagle, Northern bald eagle, killdeer and sandpipers are common
to this region. Rare wildflowers thrive in the soft ash soil. Coyote, mule deer
, antelope, Bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes and even river otter each call the
Owyhee canyon home.
Though first run commercially in 1951, the Owyhee
remains relatively undiscovered. Indeed, this river is among the most pristine
wilderness areas anywhere, with a small but loyal following of wilderness
boaters. In 1984, Congress added some 120 miles of the main stem to the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. When you visit the Owyhee, you become
one of a privileged handful to witness Oregon’s best kept secret.
--Portions are excerpts from Western Whitewater, by Bill Cross.
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Additional Information
Experience Required
No previous experience is necessary for the Owyhee River Journey. In fact,
this trip has again and again proven to be just right for those on their first
wilderness rafting adventure. Our minimum age is 12 at times of higher water
and less predictable weather; at lower water levels the minimum age is eight.
The maximum age is up to you! Your guides will gladly help with any aspect of
our trip that is new for you, whether that means setting up a new tent or
learning to paddle.
Participant Fitness And
Activity Levels
Destination Wilderness trips are created with fun,
curious, and nature-loving adventurers in mind. Our Owyhee river trip is ideal
for those with a zest for desert solitude, remote wilderness, moderate
adventures, riverside camping, and self-determined activity levels. While you
should be fit and in good health for this trip, you need not be a honed
athlete. First-timers, families, friends, experienced rafters, and independent
and mature travelers are welcome and thrive on our Owyhee River Journeys.
Weather
The
Owyhee is a high desert river with unpredictable weather patterns. Typically,
April and early May trips face some inclement weather, such as rain and cool
winds, but also include days of brilliant sunshine and high temperatures. Trips
in later May and early June can see better weather, although there is no
guarantee. Always bring rain gear and a tent. Wetsuits are required for all
trips and are provided free of charge by Destination Wilderness.
Off River Transportation
Destination Wilderness provides all transportation from Jordan Valley
to our launch site, and back to Jordan Valley from our take-out. Van shuttles
from Boise can be arranged for an additional cost. In addition, we our trips
include utilizing a locally-owned boat shuttle service for our tows across Lake
Owyhee at the end of the trip.
Equipment
Destination Wilderness provides lifejackets, waterproof bags, camp chairs and
eating utensils and all the specialized river gear you need. Sleeping pads,
sleeping bags and tents are also provided free-of-charge by Destination
Wilderness. A complete list of what you should bring will be included in your
confirmation packet.
Camp Shelter
Shelter, in the form of camp tarps, is provided on every trip. We will set up a
camp tarp, under which all can sit and eat or just relax in the case of rain or
really hot weather. In addition, each guest or group of guests should provide
their own tent(s). Destination Wilderness has tents available for guests to
use.
Bathrooms
and Showers
Destination Wilderness is proud to provide solar showers
on all of our Owyhee trips. These are set up in convenient and private
locations away from the river to prevent polluting the river with soaps. We
also carry a portable metal box chemical toilet (similar to motorhome toilets)
that is set up in a private and scenic spot away from the heart of the camping
area. While not in camp and floating the river we can also stop to use the
toilet. A system that will be explained by your guides allows for all campers
to know when the camp shower and toilet is in use.
Fishing
Fishing
on the Owyhee in the spring is marginal, and improves as summer approaches. We
will gladly carry on the gear rafts any personal fishing gear you want to
bring. Oregon requires you to have a fishing license if you intend to fish
during your visit. Please purchase your license in one of the towns near the
Owyhee before the rendezvous time. It may be necessary in some cases to release
the catch, depending on the season.
 Meals and Beverages
We serve gourmet meals prepared with
fresh ingredients. We also provide a variety of beverages with each meal. Each
afternoon we set up happy hour snacks and beverages. We are also happy to
prepare certain foods that you may want or need (including birthday or
anniversary cakes). Please let us know if you have special dietary concerns,
and we will plan and cook accordingly.
Gratuities
It is
common to tip wilderness guides on adventure trips. It is not expected, but
always appreciated. If you are happy with your trip please let us and your
guide(s) know. Thanks!
Itinerary Changes
While we do everything possible to follow the itineraries in this packet
we may be forced to adjust trips due to reasons beyond our control. Therefore,
these itineraries are subject to change.
References
Many
of our past trip members have offered to speak with folks who are considering
our trips. We know we could blow our own horn until we are blue in the face
about the great time we feel you would have on our trips. So, we invite you to
contact us for a list of clients who have participated on Destination
Wilderness trips and we'll let them do the talking!
Destination Wilderness
Guides
The pride of our outfit, our guides bring a wealth of talent
and experience to each trip we run. Destination Wilderness guides (and they are
our guides not subcontracted outfitters) have years and years of experience
leading trips in the U.S. and abroad. Each is licensed in first-aid and CPR.
Furthermore, they create an environment that fosters camaraderie and positive
experiences. Simply put, they care about what it is that YOU want from YOUR
TRIP and do everything possible to make that happen! We are confident that you
will find your guides to be one of the highlights of the adventure.
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Owyhee River
Trip Additional Information
