Page 60 - Southern Oregon Magazine Spring 2018

the good life | adventure

The well-appointed camp is set up and ready for guests. There are tents parties navigate the rapids. Having already experienced Caldera doesn’t
with cots, gravity fed solar showers, a covered dining deck, full bar, and dampen the excitement, but rather amplifies it because you already
an outdoor kitchen. And there are plenty of comfy camp chairs under know what you’re in for!
umbrellas to lounge in.
It doesn't take long to pass the previous night’s camp spot and venture
You arrive at camp early enough to enjoy a cocktail from the bar, onto new-to-you waters. This stretch of river gives you ample time to
appetizers, board or lawn games, fly fishing, hiking around or some spot wildlife along the way. You might see turtles sunning themselves
down time hanging by the water. It’s the perfect time to relax and on logs, blue herons and eagles. Before long you are passing through
reconnect while discussing the day’s adventures. After a fabulous State Line Rapid and are in California, out of big whitewater. Here you
dinner, the dark wilderness is made for stargazing before retiring to have the opportunity to leave the big paddle rafts behind for individual
the clean and cozy platform tents. inflatable kayaks. You’ll still hit some spectacular class II and III wave
trains that are almost more intense because you are now the navigator
The next morning you wake up refreshed and ready for more adventure. and are much closer to the water. The inflatable kayaks will make you
There is coffee and fruit ready by 7 a.m. followed by a scrumptious appreciate the term “white water cowboy!”
breakfast at 8 a.m. By 9 a.m. boats are packed and ready for the ferry
across the now low river. After a relatively short but steep hike up the After plenty more fun, the river calms as it empties into Iron Gate
riverbank, you get to choose how to get back up the river. You can Lake. This is where you pull out for the trip back to Ashland.
run the six miles, ride mountain bikes or ride in the gear truck. The
road is actually a narrow, old dirt stagecoach road that winds through The Upper Klamath Glamping trip is an epic adventure filled with
all kinds of terrain. You will enjoy remote pine forests, meadows and excitement, gorgeous views, relaxation and great food. Experience
the Old West ruins of a time in the not-so-distant past. Within the six nature’s amusement park if you will—with all the fun and none of the
miles the road ascends 750 feet in elevation with a few hills, but no work!
significant climbs. The ride is a bit challenging, but not impossible. And Momentum River Expeditions
if it becomes too much of a challenge, you can always hitch a ride with 541-488-2525
the gear truck that follows behind. www.MomentumRiverExpeditions.com
There is also a three-day version of this trip that offers a more relaxed trip with increased camp
The six miles up river puts you just above the exciting Caldera Rapid. time. These trips are suitable for those in good health, novice to expert paddlers, ages 12 and up.
Waiting for the water to rise, you have time for lunch (after all, the Must be able to hike out through a 150-yard steep trail to exit camp.
trek up river burned some calories!) and can watch as other rafting

58 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | spring 2018