Oregon And Northern California Rafting Blog
            Momentum River Expeditions: World-Class River Trips

Join us for a season opener like no other on the beautiful North Fork of the Smith River!

To start the spring off right, we are venturing out into the Six Rivers National Forest for a run down the wild and scenic North Fork of the Smith River.  This twelve mile stretch of river is full of exciting class III-IV rapids, dramatic Serpentine gorges and gardens of the carnivorous California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica).

The north fork is a seldom run river due to its small window for runnable flows.  Completely rain and snow fed, the river waters are filtered through rough serpentine soils allowing for the crystal green color of its waters.

Extremely picturesque and one of the best whitewater runs on the Pacific Coast, the North Fork of the Smith River is one not to miss!

Call or email today for details!

Hello all!

We have received several emails and phone calls from concerned friends and family since the devastating Chilean earthquake on Saturday February 26th.  We are all fine and were unaffected by the earthquake. However, there was much damage to the city of Santiago and surrounding areas.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Chilean people and the country as a whole.

We are still running trips and hoping that our friends will still be able to join us.  One of our guides is headed down as we speak so we’ll get the full report in a few days.  The river is beautiful and waiting and we can’t wait to see her!

Thank you again for all who were concerned about our whereabouts and safety.  We hope everyone is also safe and enjoying the winter and oncoming spring!

We hope to see you all on the river!

The draft environmental assessment gave the environmental and economic ok!  We are really excited for the Rogue and for the oprurtunity to raft longer stretches of river on the Upper Rogue. Read more at the Mail Tribune.

Some Video from a winter trip on the Illinois. It was my first try with out new flip camera - a little shaky! The weather and water were beutiful though.

You can check out photos from our trip on Flickr.

And read more about rafting Oregon’s Illinois River Here.

Our Illinois River rafting trip is in the March issue of Outside Magazine!

It is an amazing trip and filling up quickly. You can read more about the trip here.

Check out the snow near the California Salmon Drainage!

Join us for a journey down the Chilko, Chilcotin and Fraser Rivers – a trip unmatched in its scenic diversity and huge stretches of class IV whitewater.  Big John, Farwell, and Lava Canyons; the continent’s longest stretch of commercially navigable whitewater; bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, wolves, and birds of all types; all set in the legendary wilderness of British Columbia.

Trip Length:
7 days
Trip Date:
August 29th 2010
Difficulty:
Class IV for experienced and beginner paddlers. Minimum Age 12
Meeting Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Price:
$3295 ($400 deposit)

Call Pete at Momentum (541 488 2525) or Book Online Here.

The Chilko-Chilcotin-Fraser trip starts in Vancouver and begins with a flight over the towering mountains and massive glaciers of the Coast Range to the Chilcotin wilderness.  After an evening at the beautiful  Chilko Lake we’ll begin rafting on the Chilco River and then float into the Chilcotin and finally into the mighty Frazier River, lifeblood of Canada’s largest river system. We cover 130 miles and drop 3000 vertical feet - passing through lush alpine forests, narrow canyons, high desert plateaus and skyscraping hoodoos. The trip features world-class rapids including a 14 mile stretch considered the continent’s longest stretch of commercially navigable whitewater. On the last day of our expedition we’ll fly back crossing over the 2000-foot canyons of the lower Fraser and the lakes and mountains of the southern Coast Range.

This is a journey to one of the wildest and most beautiful places on the continent and we are excited to offer it – give us a call if you have any questions!

Call 541-488-2525 or Book Online Here.

Choose a Rafting Trip

Southern Oregon has so many amazing local foods and wines. From Rogue Valley Creamery (winner of the best blue cheese in the world), to Dagoba Chocolate, to the many award winning wineries.  This trip will feature local appetizers, meals, deserts, and two nights of wine tasting!

3-Day Local Wine and Food Lodge Trip June 16th, 2010 - $899
Call or Book Online Here
Read more about lodge trips here.

Spring is also an amazing time to see the Rogue. The Canyon is lush, wild flowers are blooming, and the temperature is perfect.

More info coming - we are so excited about this trip!!

Hike, Raft, or a mix of both!
The Rogue River National Recreation Trail follows the entire length of the Rogue River. It ducks up into beautiful side canyons, crosses tumbling side streams, and offers spectacular views of the Rogue River. On our Rogue Hike and Raft Lodge trips you can run the river in one of our rafts, hike the trail, or do a combination of both.

For those hiking all you need to carry is a day pack and a little water. All your personal gear is transported in the rafts to the lodges each evening and you and your guide meet the rafts for lunch at predetermined spots. The distance covered each day ranges from 5 to 15 miles depending on the day and if you hike the whole section. The trail follows the river and looses elevation overall.

The availability of lodges is a unique aspect of the Rogue River. There are very few places in the world with a system of remote riverside lodges only accessible by boat, foot, or small plane. It allows for the amazing experience of true wilderness adventure capped off by comfortable and cozy evenings in a remote lodge steeped in pioneer history.

Spring is an amazing time to see the Rogue. The Canyon is lush, wild flowers are blooming, and the temperature is perfect for hiking.

Our Rogue Spring Hike and Raft 4-Day Lodge Trips are offered on select dates in late may and June (custom dates are available). Check our schedule here.

Guests have the option of rafting, inflatable kayaking, hiking or a combination.

The trip price is $959 person.

Call or email if you have any questions!

The Fall is an amazing time to Raft the Rogue! Mild temperatures, fewer people, more bear siting’s, and fall foliage. This year we offering 10% off on select Lodge trips in September. Check our schedule here and look for “Rogue Wilderness Fall Special Lodge Trip”.

Join professional photographer Jared Cruce for a visual journey down the Rogue River - one of America’s truly wild and scenic rivers. This trip will provide a supportive and educational environment to practice and improve photography skills while capturing the dramatic light, fall colors, wildlife and scenery of the Rogue.

3-Day Lodge Trip September 5th , 2010 - $965
Guest Photographer: Jared Cruce
Call or Book Online Here
Read more about lodge trips here.

While primarily emphasizing landscape photography, Jared will provide group and one-on-one instruction on digital capture, workflow, travel and adventure topics that are relevant for beginner to advanced photographers. Each evening we will review the current days work and discuss techniques. Students will have ample opportunity to ask questions, learn and apply new concepts that are relevant to their style and photographic goals. A personal portfolio review is optional.

All are welcome on this trip regardless of your photographic passion or experience. For those with photographic intentions a digital slr camera and media is required**. Film,Medium / Large format cameras are welcome but discussions and techniques will emphasize digital capture. A complete list will be sent with confirmation.

About Jared:
Jared Cruce is an Ashland, Oregon based commercial and editorial photographer. He is one of a select group of sponsored Lowepro photographers, an alumnus of the Eddie Adams Workshop and an Explorers Club member. He has an amazingly diverse photographic palate that covers, landscape, travel, action, and portraiture. His images have been commissioned and published by companies and magazines such as New Balance, Camera Arts Magazine, Trail Runner Magazine, Oregon Travel, and Energy Trust of Oregon. He is an avid kayaker and rafter and has boated and photographed a multitude of the west’s rivers as well as photographed in over 17 countries worldwide. Jared’s Photography Work can be seen here: www.JaredCruce.com - Oregon Professional Photographer.

Call if you have any questions, it is an amazing time for rafting on the Rogue!

Well, I have been sitting in front of the computer WAY too long - my eyes are bleeding and I have lost all social skills. But, our website is up and updated!

More »

Momentum Wine Tasting trips have become huge guest (and guide!) favorites. Even to non-wine drinkers – those of us who grumble and say “I like Beer”:). We offer 6 flights of wine paired expertly with VERY good cheeses. Alyson’s of Ashland, a local wine store and deli, picks the wines and does the pairings.

We offer scheduled Wine Tasting trips on the Rogue River, the California Salmon, and the Upper Klamath River. We also include wine tasting on many charter trips.

If you are interested check out one of the rivers above or give us a call!

“Crazy for love”

“ The sultry smell of desire”

“An epic theatre event not to be missed” .

These are just three of the 11 play descriptions from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s 2010 playbill .  We are so excited for the season to start  and can’t wait to see Throne of Blood , Hamlet , Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Merchant of Venice and many more!

We know that many of our guests come to town for not only amazing whitewater adventure with Momentum but world class, Tony award winning theatre at OSF .  Every year, the theatre’s line up is better and better with innovative renditions of classic Shakespearean plays to more contemporary shows by well known play writes.  We try to squeeze in plays whenever possible as this theatre is an asset for Southern Oregon and a local treat for those of us who call this home.

So don’t miss out on the amazing art that Ashland has to offer with the Shakespeare Festival.  Combine that with a day or three on the river with Momentum and you’ve got it made!