Oregon Rouge River Rafting
The River Rouge originates from the Cascade Mountains, located near the slopes of Crater Lake- the deepest of all in the American Continent. The Rouge flows west and merges into the Pacific Ocean near the Golden Beach of Oregon. In a historic process ranging for millions of years, the Rouge was altered into a gushing stream and the canyon sculpted into a whopping 3,000 feet deep chasm.
The rafting season lasts from May to October. Summer meltdown brings in flood to the river but rafting trips are thankfully controlled through the Lost Creek Dam river flow regulations. The rapids for the thrill seekers are the Class III Rainie Falls, Upper and Lower Black Bar Falls and the Class IV Blossom Bar. The section from Gold Rey Dam has two exciting Class IV rapids. The Upper section of the Rouge River offers a picturesque, calm trip for families and beginners with a few scattered Class II rapids to jazz up the fun.
Many important historical and geographical sites are located along the river. Add to it the wild animal life and lush scenic vegetation cover. This is where the real adventure of Rouge lies. Black Bears are abundant in the section from Grave Creek to Forest Bar. Coyotes, Cougars, bobcats, black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, otters, raccoons, gray digger squirrels, ring-tailed cats, chipmunks and muskrats are the mammals to be looked out for. For the ones interested in the mean scaly beasts, western fence lizard, skink, water lizards and rattlesnakes can offer a nice treat. Anglers can have a time of their life fishing steelhead and salmon in the Rouge and so can birdwatchers, spotting Blue Heron, Killdeer, Red Tailed Hawks, Ospreys and regal eagles.
The Rouge was accorded the status of a National Wild and Scenic River in 1967 and the river keeps up to the name. Rouge is wildness exemplified! The gushing whitewaters through constricted canyon walls opening dramatically into calmer pools is enough to give any traveler a high. The rapids throttle rafters in a labyrinth of smooth boulders. The avenues to swim, sunbathe, and to warm up in water games proliferate every nook and corner of the river. This Vacation, Rouge is definitely the place to be!