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| Steep-ass hike from our camp below has quick dividends - big views and flowers galore |
Hi all,
The Grand Ronde River in Eastern Oregon is one of my all-time favorite springtime getaways in a wilderness setting.
Last year, we had a good trip at flood stage, 13,000 cfs, but we had to endure lots of torrential rainstorms - all under the comfort of my killer tarp, I might add.
But this year, we had beautiful weather, with highs in the 70s and just a few random thundershowers while in camp. We did a 4-day trip on June 12-15 from Minam, Ore., to Powatka Bridge (Wildcat canyon), covering about 39 miles. The Minam Store ran our shuttle for $170. Easy to set up online.
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| Wendy and Huck on Day 4, a little cooler than the previous 3 days. Background shows the aftermath of a wildfire in 2021. |
The Grande Ronde is a great choice in the spring because the countryside is soooooooooooooooooooo velvety green and beautiful, the river flows are high enough to cover the rocks and make navigation really easy, and wildflowers are blooming everywhere. Self-issue permits are easily obtained at the put-in, and there are dozens of sweet forested campsites to chose from as you float the canyon.
In terms of difficulty, the Grande Ronde is rated Class 2-3, which is pretty low key on the whitewater scale. For our trip, we had about 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) of river flow, allowing you to scoot along and clock river miles with ease. Just put the oars under your knees, kick back and sip a beverage while enjoying the scenery and wildlife along the way.
The Minam Store also has rafts and gear for rent if you'd like to do your own trip.
From Boise, it takes about 4 hours to get to the put-in -- 3 hours via I-84 to La Grande, and an hour on two-lane paved roads to Minam, a little roadstop next to Minam State Park, a gorgeous place to camp the night before you launch, if you wish.
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| One of our favorite campsites |
One of the neatest parts of floating the Grande Ronde is staying in those beautiful, grassy riverbank campsites amid ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees. On night #2 of our trip, we stayed at a scenic campsite that's easily as cool as some of the best camps on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Picture a large grassy meadow, a big kitchen area shaded by large trees, a steep hike up a ridge behind camp, and lots of wildflowers.
Here are a few other pics from our trip ...
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| Up near the top of the canyon, about 1,000 vertical feet above our camp. With Keith and Ann from Portland. Gorgeous views, gentle breeze, and bird song. Below, Huck is still climbing mountains at age 11.  |
I had the privilege to appear on KTVB-TV Channel 7 on the 4 p.m. news Wednesday to share some tips about hiking, information about my Boise Trail Guide - 95 Hiking and Running Routes Close to Home, and camping this summer.
Here's the 4-minute clip: https://www.ktvb.com/video/sports/outdoors/exploring-idaho-pro-guide-on-the-dos-and-donts-of-summer-activities/277-d3afef76-3ef8-4ef7-90e2-a3c6f6278762
Have a great weekend!
- SS
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