The "Wild & Scenic" Rogue River Canyon Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get to the area of the river trip? 2. What lodging in the area do you recommend? 3. When and where do we meet for the trip? 4. What should I pack for my trip? 5. What kind of weather can I expect? 6. Tell me about your meals. 8. How can someone reach me in case of emergency? 9. What if I have an emergency and need to cancel my reservation? 10. What time and where does the trip end? 11. How do I get back to my car/motel/airport? 1. How do I get to the area of the river trip?
The beginning point of the federally protected "National Wild & Scenic" section of Rogue River is located in Southwest Oregon, approximately 20 miles northwest of the city of Grants Pass. Grants Pass is 61 miles north of the Oregon/California border on the I-5 freeway.
Approx. driving Distance to Grants Pass: Seattle - 421 miles (7.5 hrs.) Portland - 244 miles (4.5 hrs.) Medford - 28 miles (40 min.) Redding - 183 miles (3.5 hrs.) Sacramento - 350 miles (6.5 hrs.) San Francisco - 395 miles (7.0 hrs) Los Angeles - 743 miles (12.5 hr.) Reno - 335 miles (7 hr.) Las Vegas - 917 miles (16.5 hr.) Boise - 679 miles (12 hr.)
If you are arriving by air:
If you are arriving by car:
2. What lodging in the area do you recommend?
Whether driving or flying, we encourage you to arrive in the area the night before your trip. There are a number of motels and campgrounds in the area. Reservations are strongly recommended. The following lodges, motels and campgrounds are easy to find.
The closer you are to the Galice/Merlin area, will prove convenient on the morning of your trips departure.
Merlin: Galice Resort (541) 476-3818 (our rendezvous site) Morrison Lodge (800) 826-1963 Pine Meadow Inn (800) 554-0806 Rogue Forest B&B (541) 472-1052
Motel 6 (800) 466-8356 Shilo Inn (800) 222-2244 Super 8 (800) 800-8000 Grants Pass Inn (800) 553-7666 Holiday Express (800) 838-7666 Thrift Inn (800) 525-9055
Motel 6 - South (800) 466-8356 Motel 6 - North (800) 466-8356 Rogue Regency (800) 535-5805 Comfort Inn (800) 228-5150 Shilo Inn (800) 222-2244
KOA - Gold Hill, I-5 @ Exit 40 (800) 562-7608 Valley of the Rogue, I-5 @ Exit 45B (800) 452-5687 Indian Mary Campground, 10 miles west on the Merlin/Galice Road from the I-5 freeway @ exit 61 (541) 474-5285 Almeda Campground, 19 miles west on the Merlin/Galice Rd. from the I-5 freeway @ exit 61 (541) 474-5285 Reservations are needed during the summertime.
3. When and where do we meet for the trip?
If you are driving your own vehicle, we will meet fishermen at 8:00 a.m. and rafters/kayakers at 8:30, 100 yards upriver of the Galice Store (15 miles due west of I-5 at exit 61 on the Merlin/Galice Road) Parking is available nearby. At this point your host will assist you with packing your personal belongings into dry bags provided by Noah's. After parking and securing your vehicle for the duration of the trip, we will transport you and your dry bags a short distance (1.5-4.0 miles) down river to the beginning point of your trip.
If you are arriving in the area by means other than your own vehicle (ie. airlines) and staying at a motel in the Ashland, Medford, Grants Pass, Merlin or the Galice area, the night before your trip begins, we will pick you up at your place of lodging and transport you to the Galice Store and onto the beginning point of your trip. Please call our office and arrange your specific time and place for rendezvous.
4. What should I pack for my trip?
Specific personal pack lists are made available here for your convenience. Please choose the appropriate pack list for your trip and if desired, print.
"SPRING RAFTING PACK LIST" "SUMMER RAFTING PACK LIST" "FISHING PACK LIST"
All of your clothing and personal items should fit into a travel bag about the size of a backpack, no more than 25 to 30 pounds. A good rule of thumb is to use a bag the size of what you would carry onto an airplane. When you meet us on the morning of your trip, we will provide you with two dry bags. One that you can put your travel bag into or transfer your clothing and personal gear into. The first, larger bag is generally only available when at the lodge or camp. The second dry bag, a smaller day bag is always readily available with your personal items (sunglasses, camera, film, sunscreen, medication, long sleeve shirt, windbreaker, etc.).
If you are on our camp/lodge combo trip, for thecamping portion, you only need to bring a sleeping bag in addition to your clothing and personal gear. Please, no pillows - instead bring just a pillowcase, which you can fill with some clothing to create a pillow. Sleeping bags can be rented from us for a $15 cleaning and handling fee. We supply everything else including sleeping pads/air mattresses, tents, tables and chairs, camp tarp if needed, camp lanterns and complete kitchen and tableware.
If you are on our lodge trip, all cabins and rooms have beds with fresh linens, bathroom with shower and sink, hot and cold running water, bath and hand towel and wash cloths. Some lodging accommodations have a shared bath to two bedrooms.
Clothing choices: For rafting/kayaking river attire, clothing should be fast drying. Cotton materials, such as jeans and sweatshirts are poor choices for wearing on the river, especially in cool or wet weather. When they get wet, they may take a long time to dry. Synthetic materials such as nylon dry quickly and are also cool on hot days. For early season raft/kayak trips and fishing trips, modern day fabrics such as capilene, fleece, polortec, microfiber materials and etc. are recommended for added comfort and warmth.
If you are sensitive to the sun, for added protection, be sure to bring a long sleeved shirts, long pants and socks that you don't mind getting wet plus a broad brim hat with retainer or chin strap. Sunburn on the river happens fast and can be severe.
5. What kind of weather can I expect?
Weather in any river canyon can vary widely day to day. However, the Rogue canyon's typical daytime summer temperatures can climb into the 80's and 90's. The water temperature is generally in the 60-70 degree range. Early season raft trips and fall fishing trips have temperatures ranging from the 50's to the 80's during the day while early morning/late evening temperatures may dip into the 40's. While blue skies, scattered clouds and sunshine are predominant, rain can happen any time, so specifically, you fisherman, don't forget your rain gear!
You won't have to worry about going hungry on our trips. We feed you from lunch the first day through lunch the last day. The food is fantastic (even if we do say so ourselves), and there is plenty of it. Some of our guest refer to our adventures as a 5-pound trip! Our lunches are prepared riverside by your guides in a deli-style, build-your-own, all-you-can-eat format including choices of breads, meats, cheeses, condiments along with chips, crackers and dips, salads, fruits and deserts. Breakfasts and dinners are full course, all-you-can-eat meals and are commonly served family style.
Throughout the trip Noah's provides soda, beer, ice tea, lemonade and purified water. A basic red and white table wine is commonly served at dinner. You are encouraged to bring your favorite soda, beer, wine, alcohol, mix, and/or other refreshments. Any and all glass bottles should be individually wrapped. We ask that your beer and sodas be aluminum or plastic containers. We provide containers to pack and transport your personal beverage.
Important notice: For your safety, the safety and consideration of others on the trip, insurance, liability and our trip operating requirements: we insist that the consumption of alcohol be in moderation. Thank you.
If you are a vegetarian, don't worry! Our menus have the vegetarians in mind and include plenty of food items that work for the majority of you. If you have specific dietary restriction or considerations, please call or e.mail us so that we can do everything in our power to accommodate your wishes.
If you have a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) and would like some type of special recognition at dinner, breakfast or lunch, let us know. We would be happy to help you celebrate or bring special recognition to this occasion.
7. I have a medical condition. Will this be a problem on the trip?
In most cases, no. If you have a medical or physical condition, allergic reaction (bee sting, hay fever, asthmatic, etc.), recent surgery, pregnancy or special dietary needs, please inform our staff prior to the beginning of the trip. If you use medications, bring two supplies packed in separate, watertight containers. If you carry an insect sting kit, be certain to bring it in your daypack. If you have special or unusual medical or physical conditions or pregnancy, check with your doctor, act accordingly and please inform us in a timely manner.
8. How can someone reach me in case of an emergency?
Basically, with a few exceptions, you will be unreachable while on the river in the wilderness area. However, give Noah's Wilderness Adventures phone number (541-261-2677) to the individual(s) who
9. What if I have an emergency and need to cancel my reservation?
If you find it necessary to cancel your trip, please notify us as soon as possible. We have fixed costs and guaranteed commitments to the lodges, our guides, support personnel and transportation for these trips, whether or not you show up for your trip. You may send a substitute in your place, provided we are notified and the individual(s) sign an Assumption of Risk and Liability Release.
There are NO REFUNDS for cancellation or no show within the 60 day period prior to your scheduled raft trip (90 days for fishing trips) unless that/those space(s) are resold at full price. If you cancel prior to the 60-day rule all monies received will be refunded, less a $50 per person service and processing fee. We regret we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies.
We strongly urge you to invest in trip insurance. Contact your insurance agent to see what might be readily available to you or contact our office to receive an application for a short-term insurance policy which covers trip cancellation for unforeseen circumstances, medical reason, accidental death, etc.
10. What time and where does the trip end?
Your raft trip concludes at the Foster Bar U.S. Forest Service boat landing, approximately 2:30 p.m. This site is 6 miles up river from Agness, Oregon and 34 miles up river from Gold Beach, Oregon.
The fishing trips conclude at the Quosatana Creek U.S. Forest Service boat landing 2:00 p.m. This site is 14 miles upriver from Gold Beach, Oregon.
11. How do I get back to my car/motel/airport?
If you plan on returning to the Galice Store in our shuttle vehicle (no additional cost), your arrival time will be approximately 4:30-5:00 p.m.
If you plan on continuing onto the coast/Gold Beach/Hwy. 101 north or south, then you need to arrange and be financially responsible for your vehicle shuttle. Please let our office know in advance. Plan on arriving 15 minutes early at the Galice Store. Also, be sure to bring two sets of keys for your vehicle (one for you and one for the shuttle service provider). Your cost varies from $85 to $95 per vehicle.
If your rendezvous was other than the Galice Store, plan on your friendly host returning you to your original pick-up site. Please inquire for an estimated return time.
12. Should we tip the guides? We are very proud of our guides. Their hard work, dedication, river knowledge, shared stories and history, flora, fauna and wildlife identification, food service and attention to detail truly sets them apart from the majority.
If you feel your guides have gone above and beyond the call of duty in providing you with a very special trip, a gratuity may be left at the end of the trip with the head guide. He/she can be counted on to share the tip with all the trip guides and support personnel. A tip ranging between 10-12% of the cost of your trip is common. The crew greatly appreciates your acknowledgment for a job well done, whether you verbalize it to them and/or management, give a tip or both. Thanks for asking ;-)
13. ??? How deep is the water????
This is the most common asked question of every guide on every river in the world. You are no exception.
All guides, over the years, have answered this question in a variety of ways, from as factual as possible to carrying a ball of twine with an attached rock for an exact on-the-spot measurement to, oh' about "chest high on a duck".
The Rogue River is what is known as a pool and drop river. The gradient (loss of elevation) of drop, from the time you put-in, put-on the river until the time you take-out, is approximately 600 feet. This is not a steady, gradual, drop. It pools up and drops creating the rapids that make this such a memorable and enjoyable trip. When floating through the pools the depth will vary from 10-20-30 feet and more in the deepest points to just 1 or 2 feet at, what we call, the breaks. This is where the pool enters into and becomes a riffle, a rapid or a drop. There are some narrow canyons on the Rogue (Kelsey, Mule Creek, Huggins, Copper and others) where the geological constriction causes deeper channels or slots. The depths in these narrow canyons vary from 10-20' to 40-50-60' and more in depth. Major depths are also common on tight bends in the river where greater water force, over time, has dug it out against solid bedrock surfaces. For the riffles and rapids, that we so much enjoy and enjoy sharing with you, there is also a lot of variety in depth - sometime so shallow that the rafts, kayaks and driftboats will scrape river bottom. In other words, only inches deep. But most of the time, while running the rapids, the depth varies from 2-4 feet to slots of 4 to 10 feet.
As we negotiate the crafts down the river, we follow the current lines, the main deeper channels and slots, always aware and looking out for the obstacles and hazards along the way. Prior to and the running of each and every rapid requires proper set-up and positioning while the running of the rapids often requires precise timing and maneuvering. Sometimes the guide(s) has been known to go for the wild side, to
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