Row Your Own - Owyhee River

The Lower Owyhee River is known as the Grand Canyon of Oregon for good reason.  The incredible gorges are unlike any other trip run in the state and it is a “must do” trip for any serious river runner.  This trip is run in the early season at the peak of snowmelt for this low evaluation drainage.  On a good year the Owyhee River has enough water to run for 8-10 weeks.  Many years the season is a short as a few weeks or less. 

On our Owyhee River row your own you are able to come experience this incredible river but are able to focus on enjoying your boat and spending time relaxing with friends.  We will bring the group gear, cook the meals, and show you the lines through the big rapids and motor you accross the lake to avoid the challenging drive out of Birch Creek.  You enjoy the scenery, rowing the rapids, going on the hikes, soaking in the hot springs, and just taking it all in. We will take on all the parts of the trip that always make you question if a river trip is really a vacation.

Kayakers, pack rafters, IK paddlers, we can carry all of your gear on our rafts.  So if you are looking to run your small boat but don’t want to leave your comforts at home, no problem you can pack on our boats.  Also, if you don’t want to pack your gear all the way to Rome, raft rentals are available.

We will supply: Dinner, Breakfast, all group gear (kitchen, toilet, rain fly etc.) You need to bring all of your own river gear, camping gear, lunch and drinks.  You also need to arrange a shuttle for your rig from Rome to Leslie Gulch.

Night before launch:

Arrive at the Rome Oregon boat launch the night before the trip leaves.  Get your boat in the water and find a place to camp for the night.  Around 8pm OTT guides will want to meet everyone in the picnic area in the middle of the parking lot for a pre-trip meeting. If you plan on coming into Rome in the AM just let us know ahead of time.  

Day 1 of the trip:

Wake up for coffee which we will have ready to go for everyone.  Please bring something for a grab and go breakfast.  We will not supply food for trip morning but we will provide coffee.

Launch, ideally early to head down and find a great camp.  Today will have some amazing scenery and fun whitewater including bullseye which is typically in the class III range.

First night, float into camp and help fire line the big gear boats so we can get the kitchen set up.  After the big boats are unloaded head back to your boat and grab your gear to find a spot to make your camp.  Before long our guides will have appetizers out before serving dinner and dessert.

Day 2:

Wake up to hot coffee and breakfast which will typically include some fresh cinnamon rolls from the Dutch oven.  After breakfast we will get the gear packed up and head downstream for another fun day of whitewater and a likely hot springs stop. At some point we find another camp, maybe near Pruit’s castle which has incredible hiking opportunities.

Day 3: 

Whistling Bird day.  On this rapid the water pushes towards a cave on river right and often requires some active pulling away to avoid ending up on the rocks.  This is always a fun class III bit of whitewater. Today is also a likely canyon day.  Iron Point Canyon is an amazing sight to behold with the river narrowing down and the canyon going vertical for hundreds of feet straight up from the water.  The canyon is filled with fun class II and III rapids before arriving at the crux rapid of the trip, Montgomery which is considered class III or IV at most water levels.  After everyone comes through we find another amazing camp, possibly still in the canyon.

Day 4:

Things slow down with the main rapid today being Nuisance, which on a low water trip can be a real…nuisance. After we make it through it is an afternoon of fun class II rapids to camp, possibly with a hotsprings.

Day 5:

Float past birch creek and down towards the lake.  When the current stops, we strap the boats and drop the motor.  It will take a few hours of motoring over the lake but we can stop at an amazing hot springs and take in the pelican sanctuary.  In the afternoon we will reach Leslie Gulch and the end of the trip.  Pack up your gear and enjoy the spectacularly scenic drive up through Leslie gulch or stay in the campground and enjoy a few days of hiking in the desert.   

Where to meet:

Rome Oregon boat launch.  Arrive in the evening and get your boat in the water.  Find somewhere to camp in the campground or parking lot.

Have your rig shuttled:

Set up a vehicle shuttle from Rome to Leslie Gulch.  E-mail Judy at: ajcowboybritches@gmail.com She is who we have used for years and is awesome.  You can also call her at: 458-224-9165.  The road in/out of Leslie gulch is typically a pretty good BLM dirt road and does not require high clearance but there is one spot that can wash out and needs some clearance.

What you need to provide:

• Boat to go down the river in.  That can be an oared raft, r2 raft, kayak, inflatable kayak, packraft, drift boat (etc.). If you plan on taking a drift boat or dory please call us to discuss ahead of time.  Raft rentals are available.
• Personal dry bags.
• If in a craft that is being rowed, 3 oars, 2 for rowing and 1 spare oar. On low water trips we prefer if you have two spare oars.
• If rowing, spare oar lock
• Throw rope
• If in an inflatable boat, a raft repair kit
• Pump for your raft
• Sand Stake with mallot.
• Your own straps and system for making your boat flip ready.
• Quality PFD’s for each person, helmets are advised but not required for those in a raft.
• Drysuit is recommended for everyone.
• Personal camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags, pads, etc. PACK FOR IT BEING COLD! Sleeping bag should be 20 degree rated or colder.  Pack thermal layers, down jacket, beanie, gloves for in camp.
• Insulated rubber boots for around camp
• Personal chairs for in camp
• Your own snacks and lunches
• Personal drinks.
• 1, 5 gallon water jug for personal use.
• Ability to transport all gear to the river and ability to pack up at the takeout.
• Small personal first-aid for your boat

Raft rentals are available for folks who don’t want to travel with their raft.

Group gear OTT will provide

• Kitchen including cooking tools, stove, propane.
• Dishing washing system
• Group dishes.
• Blaster
• Water Filter
• Kitchen and group area tables.
• Firepan for cooking and group fires.
• Hand washing stations.
• Professional toilet system.
• 1x Rain fly for kitchen
• 1x Rain fly for group area.
• Expedition first aid-kit
• Satelite communication device for guide emergency use.

Additional gear to consider packing

• Inflatable kayaks (call to discuss)
• Hardshell kayaks
• Sat communication device.