Ashland & Southern Oregon - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 674

Some of the many outfitters that run the Rogue include the following:

High Country Expeditions RAFTING
( 888-461-7238; www.hcexpeditions.com )

Orange Torpedo Trips RAFTING
( 541-476-5061; www.orangetorpedo.com )

Rogue Wilderness Adventures RAFTING
( 800-336-1647; www.wildrogue.com ; 325 Galice Rd, Merlin)

Sundance Kayak KAYAKING
( 541-386-1725; www.sundancekayak.com )

Wild Rogue Wilderness

Famous for its turbulent class IV rapids, the Rogue River departs civilization at Grave
Creek and winds for 40 untamed miles through a remote canyon preserved within rugged
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and the Wild Rogue Wilderness. This stretch
is not for amateurs - a typical rafting trip here takes three to four days, and hiring an out-
fitter is mandatory for all but the most experienced.
Contact the BLM's Smullin Visitor Center ( 541-479-3735; www.blm.gov/or / re-
sources/recreation/rogue; 14335 Galice Rd, Galice; 7am-3pm) for information. The center
also issues rafting permits, which are required to float the Rogue without an outfitter (for
details go to www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/rogue/about-permits.php ) .
The Rogue River Trail is a highlight of the region, and is at the west end of the Rogue
River. This 40-mile track, best hiked in spring or fall, follows the rapids from Grave
Creek to Illahe. Once used to transport mail and supplies from Gold Beach, the route fol-
lows a relatively easy grade through scrub oak and laurel past historic homesteads and
cabins.
The full hike takes four to five days, but rustic lodges along the way (see boxed text)
can make your itinerary flexible.
A 7-mile round-trip hike to Whiskey Creek Cabin from Grave Creek makes a good
day trip.