In the summer time this is a great stretch for beginning boaters. For the first few miles there are many fun wave trains separated by long calm pools. A great place to stop for lunch is Finn Rock, the second half of the day offers the best rapids on the run.
A few miles below Finn Rock is a rapid called Mom’s Pie, class III. This is the biggest wave of the run, paddle straight down the middle to go through the 6 foot tall wave train. At some flows you can catch an eddy on river right to get a bouncy surf in the first wave.
Just below Mom’s Pie is Clover Point Wave, at levels above 6,000 this is a great wave to catch some air. At lower flows, during summer, a fun hole is created that is great for side surfing and flat spins. All year long this wave has great eddy service. Don’t step out of your boat on river right because the land owner at the wave does not like trespassers.
Below Clover after a nice long pool, look up on river left and admire Eagle Rock before you drop into the next class II wave train called Eagle Rock Rapid. After this get ready for another one of Oregon’s best play spots. During summer Neil’s Wave is a shallow and steep wave with great eddy service. In the rainy season, above 2.4ft, Neil’s becomes a fun standing wave with a big fluffy pile for all day park and play.
After Neil’s Wave, float one more class II rapid until you reach Silver Creek Boat launch. This is a great place to take out if you don’t want to run the two last class III rapids of the run. A few miles down stream is Browns Hole, one of the most famous holes on the run. After a long straight stretch look for a large cliff on river left to mark this rapid. Stay right of the hole, or for a real thrill kayakers can punch through the center of the hole.
Marten Rapids are located about 3 miles below Browns Hole, just past the boat ramp at Ben and Kay Dorris State Park. Run this rapid right of the large boulder in the center of the river, and watch out for the hole on river right at the bottom. This is the hardest rapid on the run, scout this rapid for wood.
Take out .5 miles below at Prince Helfrich Boat Landing on river right.
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