NW Chapter RMS Grande Ronde River Trip - May 5, 6, 7, 2005
The Northwest Chapter RMS is hosting a spring trip in northeast Oregon on the Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers . The trip will launch onto the Wallowa River from Minam, Oregon and take off the Grande Ronde at Mud Creek, about 40 miles. The “upper river,” between Minam and Troy , consists of evergreen forests and grasslands within a system of deep basalt canyons and steep ridges. From Minam to the Washington state line the river has been designated as a Wild and Scenic River . The river is mostly Class II’s and III’s but depends on water level. Experienced canoeists would enjoy this stretch. Check out BLM’s website for more information: www.or.blm.gov/v ale/Recreation/GrandeRonde. We expect to complete a service project for the BLM during the trip.
Trip Logistics
Registration: This trip is open to NW Chapter RMS members. Registration is first come first serve by returning the registration information to lklinger@fs.fed.us, attached, and mailing a $20 check, payable to Lisa Klinger, to 23 N. 3167 E, Idaho Falls ID 83402, until 20 participants are signed up or April 1. Group size will be limited to 20 people. All participants must be RMS members and are expected to be members before registering for the trip. Several slots (3) will be held for out of chapter RMS members interested in participating. Refunds will not be made in the event of a cancellation.
Pre Trip Accommodations: Camping is available for the night prior to the launch at Minam State Recreation Area, 15 miles NE of Elgin, Oregon and about 1 ½ miles from the put in. Sites are $8 each with 12 sites available. Information can be found at http://www.oregonsta teparks.org/park_26.php We will congregate here on May 4, 2005 , Wednesday, to distribute group gear and generally get organized so that we can launch without delay on May 5. Potable water is available at this site. Breakfast on launch day will be part of the trip. Wednesday night dinner is on your own.
Driving Directions: From Boise , ID take I-84 west to the OR-82 exit, exit number 261 at La Grande. Take OR-82 north through Elgin to Minam.
From Clarkston, WA take WA 95 south to Asotin, WA, continue south on WA 129 to the WA border, south to Enterprise on OR 3, turn west on OR-82 to Minam, approximately 140 miles.
From Minam, you are about 1 ½ miles upriver of the State Park. Look for the state park shield or name on a sign along the roadway that parallels the river. Turn north in to the Park.
Thursday Launch: An early breakfast will be prepared at the campground. We expect to launch from the Minam put in at 9:00 Pacific Time, Thursday, May 5, 2005 . The put in is about 1 ½ miles from the campground at the Wallowa and Minam River confluence by the highway bridge.
Gear: Be prepared for wet, cold weather or warm, sunny weather. Water temperatures will be cold. Bring what you would typically bring for personal gear on a spring river trip. We are hoping for high water.
Shuttle: Shuttles, at $65.00 a vehicle, will be coordinated with the Minam Store located across the river from the put in. A specific time will be arranged on Wednesday evening for everyone to make shuttle arrangements. Specifics will be emailed to participants at a later date.
Make sure you bring 2 sets of keys so you have a set at the takeout and the Minam Store has a set to run the shuttle.
Departure: We expect to be on the river most of the day on Saturday, May 7, 2005 . Saturday lunch will be part of the trip. The take out is upstream, south, of Troy , Oregon . It is approximately 2 hours driving time from the takeout to Lewiston, Idaho/Clarkston, Washington and 1/1/2 hours driving time from the takeout to La Grande, OR.