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Other Whitewater Trips on the Metolius River
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 Lodging in Oregon
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:: Gorge Campround to Lower Bridge Whitewater Kayaking & Canoeing Trip
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Gorge Campround to Lower Bridge Whitewater Kayaking & Canoeing Trip on the Metolius River |
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Related River Guidebooks on AllAboutRivers |
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Gorge Campround to Lower Bridge Info
Use this information at your own risk. See our legal notices. |
| Put In: |
Gorge Campround |
| Take Out: |
Lower Bridge |
| Difficulty: |
Class II
, Class III
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| Gradient: |
25 ft/mi |
| Run Length: |
6.6 miles |
| Current Streamflow: |
1960 cfs @ 05/26/2012 01:00 PM - METOLIUS RIVER NEAR GRANDVIEW, OR, reading taken from USGS
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| Good Level: |
1000 - 3,000 cfs |
| Streamflow Comments: |
Spring-fed; almost always running 1,100-2,500 cfs.
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| Season Comments: |
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
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| Primary Season: |
Because of springs that feed the Metolius, it can be boated year round. However, the winters near Sisters, OR can be very cold and snowy.
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| Permit: |
None required at this time. |
| Hazards: |
Watch for trees blocking the river. |
| Water Craft: |
kayak,wwcan |
| Land Ownership: |
Mixed public and private. |
| Camping on River: |
There are several public campgrounds along the river. |
| Location: |
In the Pacific Region (OR), 180 miles Southeast of Portland |
| Area Name: |
Pacific West |
| Shuttle Logistics: |
Put In: Between Santiam Pass and the town of Sisters on US Highway 20 turn north onto the Metolius/Camp Sherman Road and drive for about 2.5 miles then bear right at the intersection. Proceed on USFS Road 14 (paved) and turn left at the sign that says US Hwy 20 Campgrounds and Forest Campgrounds. Continue for about 1 mile to the Gorge Campground.
Take Out: From the Gorge Campground return to FS 14, turn left and proceed downstream to the Lower Bridge.
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| Gorge Campround to Lower Bridge on the Metolius River |
This run is a great beginner to intermediate trip. Experts will enjoy the scenery and there are some waves to surf as well. The water is fast and cold and the river is narrow. There aren't many good eddies either. So this isn't a good run for newbies with a weak roll who are likely to swim.
The first couple of miles are mellow but with fast moving water. You will pass a private resort and a low bridge. After the bridge, the river widens and the walls subside. You'll see a pretty pasture with great views of Mt. Jefferson.
Soon after the meadow there is a sign warning of the dangerous rapids coming up. For kayakers they are not so dangerous, just class II and III. These rapids are read and run which is good because scouting is difficult. The banks are overgrown and there aren't many good rapids.
Not long after the sign you'll encounter your first rapid that could be considered class III. The next class III rapid is about a mile downstream. The final class III rapid is Wizard Falls. It consists of several ledges of lava rock that cinch the river channel down from about 15 feet wide to about 4 feet wide. The bridge to the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery ends the rapid. From here to the takeout is farely mellow water with no rapids of any significant difficulty. |
Last Edited by josho on 4/26/2011
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Towns near Gorge Campround to Lower Bridge Kayaking |
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