Eastern Oregon's Owhyee River

Dates: May 3-7 and 9-13, 2009
Length: 5 days/4 nights
Price: $995/adults and $895/youth

Join us on the Wild and Scenic Owyhee River in remote Southeastern Oregon for an unforgettable exploration of this high desert river. The Owyhee cuts a rugged canyon through the plateau country of the northern Great Basin, exposing columnar basalt formations created by the same geologic hot spot now lying beneath Yellowstone National Park. Steaming hot springs still percolate up through the rock substrate as a result, offering boaters a chance for a relaxing soak.

To the uninitiated eye the sage and grassland country can seem barren at first, but a closer look reveals a diverse landscape full of interesting dry climate adaptations. Dramatically photogenic light, the sunflower like blossoms of the Arrowleaf Balsamroot, and the aroma of sage in the wind after a light rain make for a sublime wilderness experience.

As we float past the sheer cliffs, keep your eyes peeled for eagle nests high in the rocks, as Golden Eagles and other birds of prey are abundant here. We are also likely to spot Western Tanagers, magpies, and thousands of swallows. If we're lucky we'll see River Otters, Pronghorn Antelope, and Bighorn Sheep.

Originally home to the Shoshone and Bannock tribes, the Owyhee Canyon still has pictographs and other evidence of the people who resided there in the past. Some of the many excellent camps are in huge caves which offer shelter from both hot and cold weather. Watching the river flow by from the snug shelter of a cave, in good company, provides a primeval satisfaction like no other.

The Owyhee remains on the 'to do list' of many veteran boaters, mainly because of the shortness of the season during which it may be run. The watershed tends to release most of its water in a sudden burst, meaning that for much of the year it is either too low or too high to run. If there is sufficient water, we may explore the rarely run Middle Owyhee, which includes the rapids Ledge, Halfmile Rapid, and Widowmaker (if you're wondering why they call it that, don't worry, we'll be portaging that one!) More likely, we will run the Lower Owyhee from the town of Rome to Birch Creek. This section of river is best know for it's great camps and vertical rock walls.

If the Lower Owyhee is too low for rafts, we may opt to run one of our signature self support 'Duckie!' trips, where everyone on the expedition gets the satisfaction of rigging their own drybag and paddling their own inflatable kayak. We may have to leave behind a few of the creature comforts normally associated with rafting, but Duckie! trips are a true adventure. In fact, so is any trip on the Wild and Scenic Owyhee River!

ECHO, operating under permits from USFS & BLM, is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate by segregation or otherwise against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, by curtailing or refusing to furnish accommodations, facilities, services, or use privileges offered to the public generally.

We are members of America Outdoors and Oregon Guides and Packers Association and are recreation service partners with the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.