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

A unique and amazing way to experience the world famous Rogue River, do a multi-day wilderness run without all the gear or planning, and train for something bigger. We are very excited about this trip!

3 - Days May 20^th - 22^nd
Price - $725
Running Guides: Leland Fulton, Erik Skaggs, and Jenn Shelton of Rogue Valley Runners
Who is this trip for? Trail runners capable of running 20 to 26 miles per day / Runners training for the Western States 100. If you have any questions about your ability to do this trip please call or email and we will get you in contact with Leland.

Call 541 488 2525 or
Book Online Here

Join runners Leland Fulton, Erik Skaggs, and Jenn Shelton of Rogue Valley Runners and Momentum River Expeditions on a 3-Day Adventure Run along Oregon’s Wild and Scenic Rogue River. Combine the world famous Rogue River Trail with plush raft supported river side camping and gourmet meals.

The Rogue River is an iconic American classic; one of the world’s great wilderness rivers, a founding member of the National Wild and Scenic River System, and a river with such a grand reputation that in some circles it is simply known as “the Canyon”. The Rogue River National Recreation Trail from Grave Creek to Foster Bar cuts through the heart of the canyon and offers stunning views of the river and unique access to a wilderness playground that is home to a staggering amount of wildlife.

Runners will be guided by Leland, Erik, and Jen and each day will range from relatively flat 20 mile runs to challenging 20+ mile runs with large elevation gains. This is a raft supported trip and runners do not need to carry anything except for water and snacks (all personal overnight clothing will be transported by raft). Each afternoon we will arrive at a fully set-up and very comfortable wilderness river side camp where you can hang out in the river, play beach games, or just relax and take it all in. Appetizers and diner will be served under the stars followed by an evening around the campfire and a good nights sleep.

This trip is a unique and amazing way to experience the world famous Rogue River, do a multi-day wilderness run without all the gear or planning, and train for something bigger. We are very excited about this trip!

The trip includes:

• Raft support for food, gear, and personal items
• All camping gear (including ultra-comfortable 3″ sleeping pads).
• Return transportation back to Galice, Oregon. Transportation can also be arranged from Ashland, Oregon.
• All meals and snacks beginning with lunch on day one and ending with lunch on day 4, including gourmet 3 course meals featuring local and organic produce & products. Find out more
• World-Class river guides with a minimum of 8 years experience leading trips around the globe.  Find out more
• Expert running guides with a unique knowledge of the area and the world of long distance running.
• An adventure run down one of the world’s great wilderness river corridors!

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1:

Our trip starts near Grants Pass, Oregon at the Galice Resort, located along the banks of the Rogue River. Here we will help you pack your dry bags and get any last minute “must haves” at the resort. We then head to the river and the trail head, meet the crew, and do a thorough orientation talk. After loading our gear into the boats we will begin our run. For three days we will run along the Rogue as it cuts through the remote and wild Siskiyou Mountain Range. The canyon is home to abundant wildlife including bear, river otter, dear, bald eagles, and osprey. The first day is roughly 20 miles and for the most part closely follows the river. It includes Rainy Falls, the historic Whiskey Creek minor’s cabin, Windy and Kelsey Creek Canyons, some beautiful side creeks with great swimming options, and Zane Grays Cabin. Each night we will camp along the river on sandy beaches or grassy flats.  The first afternoon we will have a “camp talk” and go over everything you need to know about our comfortable wilderness camping.  Afternoons can be spent swimming, playing bocce ball, or just relaxing. In the evening we will enjoy our first dinner and a night under the stars.

Day 2:
After a hearty breakfast and plenty of time for a second cup of coffee we will head down the trail. Day 2 is up to 26 miles depending on how far people go. We leave the immediate canyon and head up the spectacular Mule Creek Trail and, depending on runners’ preferences, go all the way to Hanging Rock on the north end of Panther Ridge Trail. We then retrace our route back to the river (allowing for runners to customize their day). After another big dinner (we are well known and proud of our meals!) we will get a good night’s sleep in preparation for a big day three.

Day 3:
Day 3 is roughly 20 miles depending on what runners decide to do. We head into the narrow and spectacular Mule Creek Canyon.  Mule Creek Canyon is one of the most unique canyons in the world, and for many it is the highlight of the trip. The infamous and feared Blossom Bar rapid follows.  Blossom Bar was dynamited in the early 1900’s to allow boats passage. After Blossom is the beautiful Huggins canyon, a side run up to a canyon overlook, and eventually the end of the trip and transportation back to Galice or Ashland.

Note: This area is a stunning river running playground with tons of options. We keep our itinerary somewhat flexible to accommodate trail conditions, weather, and our guests.

For More Information:

- Read More about Momentum River Expeditions: http://www.momentumriverexpeditions.com/welcome/

- Read more about Rogue River Rafting: http://www.momentumriverexpeditions.com/rogue-river/

There will only be 15 spaces available so:
Call 541 488 2525 or
Book Online Here

Testimonials:

“Unrivaled as a Commercial Rafting Company - Pete Wallstrom, the owner of Momentum River Expeditions, puts his years of experience and expertise into the management of what just might be the best commercial rafting company in North America. The trips are spectacular beyond description, the guides are the best of the best, the food is incomparable, and the customers are treated like royalty.” Read more>>

A unique and amazing way to experience the world famous Rogue River, experience remarkable artisan meals featuring food and wine from the Southern Oregon region, and support local farming.

4 - Days June 20^th - 23^rd
Price - $1095 (25% goes to Farm to Fork, local farms, and Friends of Family Farmers)
Guest Chef: Matthew Domingo - Farm to Fork Event Director and Chef
Who is this trip for? Anyone who loves the wilderness, amazing food, and the local small farm movement! The rapids are from Class III to IV-. There are boat options for everyone from 7 to 80+ to years old. No experience is necessary.

Call 541 488 2525 or
Book Online Here

Join Farm to Fork and Momentum River Expeditions on a 4-Day Farm to Fork Rafting Trip on Oregon’s Wild and Scenic Rogue River. Combine the world famous Rogue River with artisan meals straight from the Southern Oregon farms and support the local farming movement! We are so excited about this trip!

The Rogue River is an iconic American classic; one of the world’s great summer wilderness trips, a founding member of the National Wild and Scenic River System, and a river with such a grand reputation that in some circles it is simply known as “the Canyon”. It flows through an area rich with pioneer history and lore - some of it surviving to this day. The canyon itself is a stunning wilderness playground that is home to a staggering amount of wildlife and abundant whitewater.

Farm to Fork Events, is a traveling farm-to-table restaurant, local food fundraiser, and community celebration rolled into one. Farm to Fork Events are designed to reconnect people to the source of their food, and to honor the talented farmers, food artisans, winemakers, and chefs that contribute to the growing culinary reputations and local food communities of Southern Oregon. They began in 2010 to rave reviews, a very excited local community, and ending up selling out every dinner. We are very excited to work with them!

Mathew Domingo, Farm to Fork Event Director & Chef, will host the trip along with a local farmer. Each evening we will float to our river side camp and enjoy three course dinners paired with local wine. The dinners will be served under the stars in our “wilderness dining room”. Each dinner is inspired by the local harvest and will feature local meats and produce.

Southern Oregon’s Troon Vinyard will supply wine for the trip and owner Chris Martin will be along to introduce the wines and answer questions. There wines have won a ton of awards and they follow organic principles and aspire to a closed loop, sustainable farming environment. No herbicides or pesticides are used, and all tending of the vines is done by hand. They are also the producers of “River Guide Red” and “River Guide White” and are dedicated to the pursuit of “good times and fine wines.” We can’t think of a better paring for this trip!

25% of the proceeds will go towards Local Farms (we will buy directly from them), Farm to Fork, and Friends of Family Farmers.

The trip includes:
• All river equipment.
• All camping gear (including ultra-comfortable 3″ sleeping pads).
• Return transportation back to Galice, Oregon. Transportation can also be arranged from Ashland, Oregon.
• All meals beginning with lunch on day one and ending with lunch on day 4, including gourmet 3-course “Farm to Fork” dinners prepared by Chef Mathew Domingo.
• Wine pairings from Southern Oregon’s award winning Troon Vinyard and introduced by owner Chris Martin.
• World-Class guides with a minimum of 8 years experience leading trips around the globe.  Find out more >>
• A trip down one of the world’s great summer wilderness rivers combined with artisan meals straight from Southern Oregon farms.

This trip is a unique and amazing way to experience the world famous Rogue River, experience remarkable artisan meals featuring food and wine from the Southern Oregon region, and support local farming.

There will only be 21 spaces available so:
Call 541 488 2525 or
Book Online Here

More Information about Farm to Fork and Momentum:
- Read more about Farm to Fork: http://farmtoforkevents.com/
- Read More about Momentum River Expeditions: http://www.momentumriverexpeditions.com/welcome/
- Read more about Rogue River Rafting: http://www.momentumriverexpeditions.com/rogue-river/

Find out about the Local Farms and Companies who’s food will be featured:
- Troon Vinyard: Troon Vineyard will be providing award winning wines from Southern Oregon.  Troon is known for its love of ‘good times & fine wines’ and Chris Martin, the winery owner, will be on the trip to share the wine and stories of previous owner, Dick Troons,  long love affair with the Rogue River (they have a “River Guide Red” and “River Guide White” - Perfect!). They also follow organic principles and aspire to a closed loop, sustainable farming environment. No herbicides or pesticides are used, and all tending of the vines is done by hand.
- More Coming soon…. Mathew is working on the menu as we speak!

Find out more about Friends of Family Farmers:
- Friends of Family Farmers: http://farmtoforkevents.com/causes/friends-of-family-farmers/

Testimonials

Farm To Fork Events:
“From the red wine braised beef amuse bouche to the rhubarb compote coupled with French press Ethiopian coffee, the evening was a delightful success blending fine food, wine, and company into a setting that allowed for education around sustainable living and fostering a stronger sense of community in the Rogue Valley.” Read more>>

Momentum River Expeditions:
“Unrivaled as a Commercial Rafting Company - Pete Wallstrom, the owner of Momentum River Expeditions, puts his years of experience and expertise into the management of what just might be the best commercial rafting company in North America. The trips are spectacular beyond description, the guides are the best of the best, the food is incomparable, and the customers are treated like royalty.” Read more>>

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

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!

3 days September 16 , 2009 - $965
Guest Photographer: Jared Cruce
Call or Book Online Here

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.

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!

Here is a link to some AMAZING photos from an inflatable Kayaking trip on the Illinois.

Trip dates:  June 16th - 21st, 2009

Our “Exploratory” Inflatable Kayaking Trip on the Illinois. 6 days exploring the Illinois river during a time and in a way that has never been done before commercially (We think…). This will set the stage for future late spring and summer offerings on the Illinois. We are so excited about this trip. Please call if you would like to join us.

Leon Werdinger, a professional photographer and Guide will be joining us. Here excerpts of his trip description and pictures from the Illi in late spring:

Illinois River inflatable kayak expedition (SW Oregon)

Cost:  $1159
Meeting place:  Ashland or Grants Pass, Oregon
Information & reservations:  contact me or Momentum River Expeditions  http://www.momentumriverexpeditions.com/ 866-663-5628
Last June a couple friends and I did a low water self-support inflatable kayak trip on the Illinois River.  It was easily one of the most beautiful, enchanted and enjoyable river trips I’ve ever been down.  At the time I thought it’d be too challenging to run as a commercial trip.  But after seeing participants meet the rugged challenges on last summer’s Nahanni trip (mentioned above) I got to rethinking the Illinois.  In the last couple months I’ve been discussing a possible trip with the owner of Momentum and we’re both excited about going for it.
Everyone will paddle their own inflatable kayak that will also carry their personal gear and a share of group gear.  We’ll be going “backpack style” - think of what you’d bring backpacking, add an inflatable kayak, lifejacket, drybags, paddle, helmet, etc. and you get an idea of what we’ll be bringing.  Yup, this is not the usual raft trip “float & bloat” style.  There will be no raft support, as in mid-June the Illinois doesn’t have enough water for rafts.  This also means that we’ll have this gem of a river mainly to ourselves.
The two main challenges of running the Illinois at low water are the whitewater (the river’s rated Class IV and at low water the rapids are numerous and technical) and scouting and portaging along on rocky, sometimes bouldery, river banks.  On the other hand, we won’t have to deal with two of the challenges associated with running the Illinois during the rafting season - cold water and the likelihood of cold air temps and rain. Mid-June brings warm water and the likelihood of warm sunny days.  It also brings lots of hours of daylight which should give us time for exploring and relaxing.
If you have any questions, including about whether this trip is suitable for you, don’t hesitate to contact me or Pete at Momentum.
We’ll begin the trip with a half day of skills training on either an upper section of the Illinois or some other river (to be determined).  The trip is limited to 14 people maximum, including guides.  (There will be at least one guide for every three participants.)  The outfitter will be proving boats, boating gear, food, round trip transportation from the meeting point, etc.  Free to spread the word to others who you think would have the necessary skills and who’d be enjoyable to be with.
These images are from our Illinois trip last June.  As you can see, the Illinois at low water includes exciting whitewater and amazing pools: