With commands such as left forward, right back, forward two and HOLD ON! The adrenaline rush of white water rafting on the Rogue River makes for an awe-inspiring (and ridiculously fun) afternoon on the water.
Rafting the Rogue River
I’m not a particularly brave soul. I do enjoy the water and being outside. I was looking for an adventure for Abi and I to share with our son and his fiance (now newlyweds!). They were visiting us here in Ashland and I thought of white water rafting on the Rogue River. I can do that, I thought. I told myself so everyday. After all, we’d done it before. We went rafting on the Snake River in Wyoming. And the Rio Grande in New Mexico. I could certainly handle white water rafting on the Rogue, right? Right!
Our adventure guide of choice was Indigo Creek Outfitters based in Ashland.
The Adventure Begins
We started our afternoon on the river by walking to the Indigo office. All the while I was silently convincing myself that this would be great! By the way, when you’re heading off to take on such an adventure, leave the phones and and wrist watches and anything of value at your accommodations. Really, are you going to take a call on your cell phone while paddling down a river? If the answer to that rhetorical question is yes, you probably seriously need an afternoon on the river. Sometimes, it’s good to turn off the electronics for a few hours.
After a safety talk, each of us was fitted with a life vest and helmet, which we took with us on the Indigo blue van. It was a short 30-minute drive to the river where we launched the rafts. I felt like a kid again, headed for summer camp. Although truth be told I never went to camp.
The Old Lady in the Raft
We were lucky enough to have Will (Mr. Indigo Creek) as our guide. Once we were on the raft we were given clear and easy instructions as to how to paddle and when. The nice thing about Indigo Creek is that if paddling isn’t your thing, no problem-o, they’ll make sure you’re seated where you can just hold on and enjoy the ride.
Secretly, I was thinking, should I? But nope, I went for it, picked up my paddle and listened closely. I didn’t want to be the old lady on the raft who was too chicken to do more than just hold on.
For 5.5 miles we saw beautiful wonders as we glided down river on the Rogue River with its cool clean water and wildlife such as bald eagles, Canadian geese and osprey. It’s a nicely paced trip, floating with Will and his guides, plenty of time to relax and take in the stunning scenery while gearing up for the next run of white water. And what’s super nice is there is always a photographer, on another raft, shooting pictures of everyone!
Surfing the Rapid!
There are several areas of white water with Nugget and Powerhouse being the biggest and the best. It should be noted that while I use the description of “the biggest” it’s in comparison to the other rapids we ran that day. I’m fairly certain that by an expert’s definition, there are much bigger rapids out there, but I was more than happy with what we did. It was way too much fun without being totally scary. At least not in my book.
Not only did we run the rapids, but then Will had us turn our raft around (facing the rapid we just came down) and he taught us how to surf the rapid, which was by anyone’s definition just beyond fun; but I’m glad I wasn’t in the front of the raft!
A Few Hours on the Rogue River
If I had any trepidations before, I was nothing but happy while on the river and sorry to see it end. It truly doesn’t get any better (I think I say that a lot, but it’s true) than spending a few beautiful hours on the Rogue River and it made for a highly memorable day for our little family.
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White water rafting is a blast! I did it many years ago here in the Truckee River spring runoff west of Reno. And I want to go again but with Groover coming along! 🙂
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I’m sure Groover would be ready to go – he is the best! Thanks so much for reading, Mike!
What a little cutie Groover is!
This looks like so much fun, Patti! I actually went with friends once and chickened out at the last minute. I must have missed this, but who took the pics?
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It’s easy to chicken out – totally understand – I had to keep talking to myself right up to getting in the raft, but I’m so glad I went. Groover is the best! He has so much personality you can’t believe it, and he loves popcorn! The rafting company always has a crew member in another raft, without guests, and he/she does all of the photography. When they return to the center they burn a CD for you.
Great photos! Looks so exciting~
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Irene!
Groover is totally adorable. I’ve never been super comfortable with water — but this does look like fun.
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Groover’s full name is “Groover No!” He is super cute, and he loves popcorn. We really enjoy our visits with Groover. He has his own FB page as well!
Fun indeed! Great photos!
So much fun – and I’m not particularly brave so it was extra fun to know that I could conquer and enjoy! And the Rogue River is just beautiful. Thanks so much for reading, Elizabeth.
Water rafting is really fun. How did you manage not to fall from the boat?
There are hand and foot holds on the raft. Sometimes the guide would tell us to Hold On! and we did! So much fun – thanks for reading, Jemma!
love whitewater rafting!
It is super fun, I think I’d be a bit nervous to take on anything more intense but I sure loved our day on the Rogue. I think my next try would be an all-day trip. Thanks for reading, Lindsay!
This does look so fun and great that there was a photographer to capture it all! We really want to try white water rafting at some point on our trip; was there ever any danger of falling in? I love the pic of the dog too – so cute!
Amy ~ I never felt as if I would fall out. Sometimes the guide would instruct us to hold on and there are grips on the raft for doing so and there are foot holds that you slip one of your feet into. I suppose the risk is always there especially in more intense rapids, but I always felt secure in the raft. Thanks for reading, Amy!
No doubt it was ridiculously fun!! I want to white water raft now:)
So fun Tracey! I look forward to reading about your future white water trip and I’m thinking your son would have a blast on the water! Thanks for reading!
Nice work Patti, you braved the river and had a great time doing it, you should be very proud of yourself. I’m not sure if there are too many places to white water raft around here in Aus, but maybe just maybe after reading this i’ll put it on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing.
Definitely one to add to your bucket list, maybe start with baby rapids – no waterfalls involved! ;o) I really did have a great time, it was super fun but I’d have to work my way up to anything bigger on the river. Thanks for reading, Sarah!