Metolius River - Gorge Campround to Lower Bridge Whitewater River e-Guidebook

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.