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ARTA River Trips |
800-323-2782 |
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Galice Resort |
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Sundance River Center |
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| Section |
Miami
Bar to Oak Flat |
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Location |
Josephine
County, west of Grants Pass, southwest Oregon |
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Driving Time |
Medford—1.5
hours; Portland—6 hours |
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Difficulty |
Class
IV-V; rafting experience is recommended |
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Trip Length |
40
miles (64 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle
raft, oar raft; three and four day |
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Season |
March-May |
The Illinois River, a
National Wild and Scenic tributary of the Rogue River, is hidden in
the remote canyons of southwest Oregon near the Pacific Ocean and
the California-Oregon border. Its isolation provides for a truly
outstanding multiday wilderness river  experience with first growth
Port Orford cedar forests, lush ferns, and the abundant wildlife
that inhabits the rugged hills of the Siskiyou National Forest.
The
Illinois rapids are as exciting as the river is beautiful. Most of
its Class IV rapids—Pine Flat, Prelude, Let's Make a Deal,
Submarine Rock, and Green Wall (Class V)—are in the canyon
section, usually rafted on the second day of the three- or four-day
trip.
The
biggest drawback of the Illinois is its very short rafting season.
Its watershed, though rugged and remote, lacks sufficient elevation
to hold the winter snows required for sustained late-spring and
early-summer river running. Persons interested in rafting the
Illinois River should make early reservations with outfitters as
there are a limited number of trips each spring.
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