Lower Deschutes River (OR) - August 17-19, 2011- 42 Miles

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Lower Deschutes River (OR) - August 17-19, 2011- 42 Miles

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Trip Itinerary:

Day 	Camp 			Bank 	RM Mile 
Pre-trip hike to Wahkeena Falls (along Columbia River Hwy.)
Put-in	Buckhollow 		Right	42.8
1	Campsite 		Left	28.4
2	Bedsprings		Right	8.4
Takeout	Heritage Landing	Left	0.4

Lower Deschutes Region

Taking the less popular hike along the Historic Columbia River Highway (runs parallel to I-84) to avoid the Multnomah Falls crowds

Stitched panorama of Wahkeena Falls

Below falls

Very damp side shot

More tourists :)

The trail above the falls is paved for a while...

and then is more primitive (and few people)

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Trail Junction. See later map

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Columbia River viewpoint. Stopped short of Larch Mountain Trail junction. Was getting hot, water was half gone, and no more good viewpoints, so I turned back

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More stops along the scenic byway

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Stitched panorama of Horsetail Falls

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Morning rigging at Buckhollow, after arranging with a shop in Maupin to have my Blazer towed back to the Chevy dealer in The Dalles to have the transmission fixed. Did not affect the rafting plans :)

First extended trip for Julie's new raft

Just a 3 boat trip - Julie, Betsy, and myself

Shortly after 12:30pm launch

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Below Wreck Rapid

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Deer along the railroad tracks

Bambi closeup

Passing Cedar Island

First night camp was a small beach that got early evening shade

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Camping just below a rapid provided good "white noise" for sleeping

Cooler morning temperature required bundling

8:40am and still no sun

10:35AM - ready to launch

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Passing Ferry Canyon Homestead (beyond bridge)

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Passing by Mack's Canyon

The first of many jetboats on the lower

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Harris Canyon

Second camp is at the popular Bedsprings

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9:32am departure. Sun exposure early

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Thru Gordon Ridge Rapids

More of the hi-tech composting toilets along the lower stretch

Approaching Colorado Rapid

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Approaching Rattlesnake Rapid

Columbia River Gorge in the distance

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Thru Moody Rapids

Deschutes River Park opposite takeout

Derigging at Heritage Landing

Relaxing while waiting for shuttle driver (who got the day wrong). I loaded my stuff into Julie's truck and she dropped me off at the Chevy dealer back in The Dalles while I waited 4 days for them to replace my transmission. Was shipped from Spokane Friday, arrived Monday noon, and completed by 3:30pm Tuesday. Not a lot to do in The Dalles :)

USGS Flow at 08/17/2011 12:00 PDT 14.1C (57F) 2.91' 4,180 CFS

RM Description - Maps 6-10

44.0 Sherars Falls, Class VI : Dangerous Falls, Mandatory Portage!
Historical Note: Sherars Falls is a fishing location used for thousands of years by Indian
people. Handbuilt platforms protrude from the rocky cliffs where the ancient technique of
dip netting is performed. Fishing at Sherars Falls occurs today by members of the
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. John Todd built the original bridge over the falls
in 1860. Joseph Sherar purchased this bridge in 1871 and built thirty miles of road on
each side of the river, as well as a thirteen room hotel. This bridge served as a link
between Canyon City and The Dalles, the two largest cities in central Oregon at that time.
The hotel was a popular stop for prospectors, traders, and travelers.
42.8 Buckhollow: Day use only, vehicle access, toilet, boat ramp.
41.0 Trestle Hole Rapids, Class II+: River divided by island. Left channel - small waves. Right
channel - large standing waves, large hole at high water.
39.5 Wreck Rapids, Class III: Large waves, shallow rocks with turbulent currents.
39.8 Historical Note: On September 22, 1949, a miscalculation resulted in a tragic head-on
collision between two trains. It was this incident that gave Wreck Rapids its name.
39.3 Pine Tree: Day use only, vehicle access, table, boat ramp.
38.2 Twin Springs: Fee campground, vehicle access, toilet, tables, garbage service.
37.5 Campsite: Medium group, no shade, sandy beach.
37.0 Campsite: Large group, no shade, sandy beach.
36.3 Campsite: Medium group, good shade.
35.8 Oakbrook: Day use only, vehicle access, toilet, tables, garbage service.
35.3 Campsite: Small group, no shade.
35.0 Campsite: Medium group, no shade, rocky.
34.3 Jones Canyon: Fee campground, vehicle access, toilet, tables, garbage service.
32.9 Campsite: Medium group, limited shade, sandy beach.
32.4 Two Campsites: Large group, limited shade.
31.4 Beavertail: Fee campground, vehicle access, toilet, tables, garbage service, drinking water,
trailer parking, and boat ramp.
31.0 Note - Cedar Island: One of the few places on the Lower Deschutes River where western cedar
trees are growing.
30.4 Rattlesnake Canyon: Fee campground, vehicle access, toilet, tables, garbage service.
29.9 Campsite: Medium group, no shade.
29.7 Campsite: Medium group, no shade, sandy beach.
29.6 Campsite: Medium group, limited shade.
28.4 Campsite: Medium group, no shade, sandy beach.
28.0 Campsite: Small group, no shade.
26.0 Campsite: Medium group, limited shade.
25.6 Historical Note - Ferry Canyon: The ferry, which likely gave the canyon its name, began
operating at the turn of the century, and was used primarily to transport sheep across
the river. Rock foundations are all that remain of the old ferry building and associated
blacksmith shop. Just up the canyon is a small farmstead, now used as a BLM administrative
site. Please respect the privacy of the caretaker.
25.4 Campsite: Small group, good shade, sandy beach.
24.5 Campsite: Small group, limited shade.
23.9 Macks Canyon: Fee campground, vehicle access, toilet, tables, garbage service, drinking
water, boat ramp with trailer parking, trailhead. A primitive trail along the old railroad
bed leads 23 miles downriver to the Deschutes State Park.
23.9 Historical Note - Pit House Village: Macks Canyon Campground was the location of a winter
village occupied by Indian people more than 2,000 years ago. The occupants built
semi-subterranean pit houses. The hunted bighorn sheep and deer, and gathered fresh water
mussels for food. The site was investigated by the University of Oregon in the 1960's and
a protective fence and interpretive sign were installed.
23.1 Talbot Camp: Campsite, medium group, good shade.
22.7 Mack's Canyon Rapids
22.2 Upper Dike: Campsite, medium group, good shade..
21.9 Dike: Two campsites, medium groups, toilet, no shade.
21.8 Campsite: Medium group, good shade.
21.3 Sixteen Canyon: Campsite, large group, toilet, good shade.
20.5 Homestead: Two campsites, large groups, toilet, good shade, sandy beach.
20.3 Island Rapids

19.9 Nooky Rock: Campsite, medium group, good shade, sandy beach.
19.5 Snake-in-the-Box: Campsite, medium group, good shade.
18.7 Campsite: Small group, no shade.
18.4 Campsite: Medium group, good shade.
18.0 Bull Run Rapids, Class II: Roller coaster waves.
17.7 Airstrip: Campsite, medium group, toilet, no shade.
16.7 Campsite: Medium group, no shade, sandy beach.
16.2 Two Campsites: Small groups, some shade, sandy beach.
15.9 Campsite: Medium group, limited shade.
15.4 Campsite: Small group, limited shade.
15.2 Jet Pump Rapids, Class II+: Roller coaster waves.
14.8 Three Campsites: Medium groups, limited shade.
13.8 Lockit: Two campsites, large / medium groups, toilet, good shade, sandy beach.
13.0 Campsite: Medium group, good shade.
12.6 Campsite: Small group, good shade, sandy beach, hidden in trees.
12.0 Harris: Two campsites, large / medium groups, toilet, no shade.
12.0 Historical Note - Water Tower: The construction of the Deschutes Railroad began at
this site in 1909. The last remaining railroad water tower is located here at the
mouth of Harris Canyon.
11.2 Harris Rapids, Class II: Small waves, shallow rocks.

11.1 Green Light Rapids Class II+: Large waves, rocks with turbulent currents.
11.0 Green Light Hole: Campsite, medium group, no shade, sandy beach.
10.9 Fall Canyon: Campsite, large group, toilet, good shade.
Campsite Notes: Campsites at mile 10.5, 10.0, and 9.2 are under special restriction
due to a landowner easement. No campfires or dogs are allowed at any time. No camping
is allowed when cattle are present.
10.5 Campsite: Small group, limited shade.
10.0 Campsite: Medium group, no shade, sandy beach.
9.3 Deer Spot: Campsite, medium group, good shade.
9.2 Campsite: Small group, good shade, sandy beach.
8.4 Bedsprings: Two campsites, medium / large groups, toilet, limited shade.
7.7 Hot Rocks: Campsite, medium group, good shade, sandy beach.
7.5 Washout Rapids, Class III: Scout river left, large hole, waves, and turbulent currents.

7.5 Geological Note: Washout Rapids was formed in 1995 when a flash flood of a normally dry
tributary deposited boulder sized material into the Deschutes River.
7.3 Deschutes Camp: Campsite, small group, no shade.
7.2 Free Bridge: Campsites, small group, good shade.
Historical Note - Free Bridge: John E. Harris built the first toll bridge at this site
in 1873. Wasco County purchased the bridge in 1887 and turned it into a 'free' bridge.
In 1905 the bridge was rebuilt of steel and concrete. In 1914 the bridge collapsed.
According to initial reports, the cause of the collapse was a strong gust of wind.
Upon further examination, evidence of sabotage was found.
Note: Motorized boat users are not allowed to camp on the west side of the river between
Free Bridge and Sharps Bar.
7.1 Free Bridge Rapids, Class II: Small waves, shallow rocks.
6.8 Kloan: Three campsites, small groups, primitive vehicle access, good shade, sandy beach.
6.7 Campsite: Medium group, shade, sandy beach.
6.5 Bathtub Camp: Campsite, small group, good shade, sandy beach.
6.4 Campsite: Small group, no shade.
6.0 Game Commission Camp: Campsite, medium group, no shade.
6.0 Upper Sharps Bar Camp: Campsite, medium group, good shade.
5.8 Lower Sharps Bar Camp: Campsite, toilet, large group, no shade.
5.7 Gordon Ridge Rapids, Class III: Long, narrow channel, waves, rocks, and turbulent currents.
Yield to boats that are already committed to the channel.
5.5 Gordon Ridge Camp: Campsite (located in middle section of rapid), large group, no shade,
large sandy beach.
4.7 Five Trees: Campsite, medium group, toilet, limited shade.
4.4 Wagonblast: Campsite, small group, toilet, good shade.
4.3 Miller Camp: Two campsites, medium group, good shade.
3.9 Colorado Rapids, Class III: Large waves and turbulent currents.

3.8 Colorado Camp: Campsite, large group, toilet, good shade.
3.2 Knock Knock Rapids, Class II: Small waves.
3.0 Campsite: Small group, no shade.
2.8 Last Ditch Camp: Campsite, small group, limited shade.
River Note: All floating devices, except float tubes, must observe a designated pass-through
zone. This zone is designated for bike-in and hike-in anglers. It begins at the upstream
end of Rattlesnake Rapids and ends at the no-wake zone of Moody Rapids. No camping is
allowed within the pass-through zone.
2.6 Rattlesnake Rapids, Class III: Waves, rocks, with turbulent currents.
1.7 Blackberry: Day use only, toilet, good shade.
1.6 Rock Pile: Day use only, toilet, no shade.
0.6 Moody Rapids, Class III: Narrow channel, large waves with turbulent channels. Yield to boats
already committed to the channel.
0.4 Heritage Landing: Day use only, toilet, tables, garbage service, water, boat ramp with
trailer parking.
0.3 Deschutes State Park: Fee campground, vehicle access, toilet, tables, garbage service,
water, RV hookups, trailhead. A primitive trail follows the old railroad bed 23 miles
upriver to Mack's Canyon.

Credits:
U.O.N., Olympus Stylus 770SW Digital Photography by William F. Smith (7.1 MP, 3072x2304 HQ, 3X optical 38-114mm)

Last Update 26-Aug-11