Deschutes River, OR
Location - Tumalo State Park to Cline Falls
Difficulty - Class I-III Length - 15 miles
Level - 450 cfs Date - 11/3/2007
Difficulty - Class I-III Length - 15 miles
Level - 450 cfs Date - 11/3/2007
This stretch of the Dechutes runs for 15 miles through a
two scenic canyons. While much of the run contains
quickwater and class I rapids, there are several class II-II+
rapids in the first few miles, and a two mile stretch of
continuous class II-III rapids near the middle. This run
makes an excellent trip for open canoes and beginner to
intermediate kayakers looking for a pretty float through
small canyons close to the population centers of central
Oregon.
This stretch of the Deschutes River cuts through miles of
interesting canyons cut into columnar basalt not far from
Bend and Redmond, Oregon. While some homes can be
seen on the top of the canyons while on the water, the
overall feeling is that you are in quite a remote area.
Unfortunately for paddlers, this part of the river is almost
completely dewatered by irrigation projects from April to
the middle of October. Once agriculture slows for the
winter and the need for water diminished this stretch of
the Deschutes runs free again. We ran this stretch at a
minimum flow of about 400 cfs and while the rapids were
very rocky and technical, all had clean lines.
The run started out at the bridge near Tumalo State Park
where the river is shallow and fast flowing. Our group
met at the put in around 10:00 AM and found ice still
lining some shallow pools near shore, but by the time was
started paddling around 11:30 the day had warmed up
considerably. A large group had turned out for this
WKCC trip and there was a mix of open boaters and
kayakers.
The first few miles of the run are mainly quickwater, with
perhaps one short stretch of class II rapids. The river
winds around through some brushy islands while passing
several homes near the tiny town of Tumalo. The main
channel is always pretty easy to spot and it should be
followed. Apparently side channels have been blocked
by barbed wire fences in the past and one left hand
offshoot of the river leads to a dead end irrigation ditch. I
never noticed this spot, but I was also never tempted to
paddle anywhere but in the main channel of the river.
two scenic canyons. While much of the run contains
quickwater and class I rapids, there are several class II-II+
rapids in the first few miles, and a two mile stretch of
continuous class II-III rapids near the middle. This run
makes an excellent trip for open canoes and beginner to
intermediate kayakers looking for a pretty float through
small canyons close to the population centers of central
Oregon.
This stretch of the Deschutes River cuts through miles of
interesting canyons cut into columnar basalt not far from
Bend and Redmond, Oregon. While some homes can be
seen on the top of the canyons while on the water, the
overall feeling is that you are in quite a remote area.
Unfortunately for paddlers, this part of the river is almost
completely dewatered by irrigation projects from April to
the middle of October. Once agriculture slows for the
winter and the need for water diminished this stretch of
the Deschutes runs free again. We ran this stretch at a
minimum flow of about 400 cfs and while the rapids were
very rocky and technical, all had clean lines.
The run started out at the bridge near Tumalo State Park
where the river is shallow and fast flowing. Our group
met at the put in around 10:00 AM and found ice still
lining some shallow pools near shore, but by the time was
started paddling around 11:30 the day had warmed up
considerably. A large group had turned out for this
WKCC trip and there was a mix of open boaters and
kayakers.
The first few miles of the run are mainly quickwater, with
perhaps one short stretch of class II rapids. The river
winds around through some brushy islands while passing
several homes near the tiny town of Tumalo. The main
channel is always pretty easy to spot and it should be
followed. Apparently side channels have been blocked
by barbed wire fences in the past and one left hand
offshoot of the river leads to a dead end irrigation ditch. I
never noticed this spot, but I was also never tempted to
paddle anywhere but in the main channel of the river.
The first rapid of any significance is marked by a distinct drop where the
river crashes through a narrow chute and drops about four or five feet
into a deep pool with nice eddies on either side. Shortly after this drop
the river spreads out and runs through brush with a deep channel on
river left. Class V Aubrey Falls lies hidden in this stretch and to portage
paddlers must work their way through the shallow and narrow channels
towards the river right bank well above the drop. The main channel
continuous to narrow and fast class II whitewater with no eddies leads into
the hidden rapid. Often wehen people give warning about pulling out well
above a falls the danger is vastly overstated, but this with this drop it
would be possible to end up floating into a position were escape from the
river would be really tough. Make sure to move right well above the falsl
which is fairly well hidden from above. We pulled out well above the
drop. The river right carry is very simple. This drop was definitely
runnable at this level but the consequences for missing a narrow river
right boof looked potentially severe. A good deal of the flow slammed
into an outcrop of rock extending from the river left bank and a large log
was wedges in the narrow gorge leading away from the drop.
After a leisurely lunch with temperatures in the sixties our large group put
in and headed into long stretch of continuous class II+ to shallow class III
whitewater set in a pretty canyon lines with vertical columnar basalt walls
between twenty and one hundred feet tall. The first rapid in the stretch
was the trickiest, with a significant drop and a few tight moves around
boulders. The water was never really powerful, but the river was
technical enough to get my attention in the fifteen foot open canoe. The
guidebook rates the steepest mile of this stretch class III+, and while that
is an overstatement of the difficulty at this low level, higher water could
create a more powerful stretch of river and it is likely that a few larger
hydraulics would develop in a few places. It is also true that more water
would make this stretch considerably less technical. As it was, these
were fun rapids for open canoes.
All of the rapids were boat scoutable and we had a good time snaking
through the complicated boulder gardens. A few of the beginners had
some long swims here, and we spent a good deal of time waiting for then
to get their gear and thoughts collected. The run was probably a bit too
complicated for new paddlers, but everyone managed to keep smiling.
river crashes through a narrow chute and drops about four or five feet
into a deep pool with nice eddies on either side. Shortly after this drop
the river spreads out and runs through brush with a deep channel on
river left. Class V Aubrey Falls lies hidden in this stretch and to portage
paddlers must work their way through the shallow and narrow channels
towards the river right bank well above the drop. The main channel
continuous to narrow and fast class II whitewater with no eddies leads into
the hidden rapid. Often wehen people give warning about pulling out well
above a falls the danger is vastly overstated, but this with this drop it
would be possible to end up floating into a position were escape from the
river would be really tough. Make sure to move right well above the falsl
which is fairly well hidden from above. We pulled out well above the
drop. The river right carry is very simple. This drop was definitely
runnable at this level but the consequences for missing a narrow river
right boof looked potentially severe. A good deal of the flow slammed
into an outcrop of rock extending from the river left bank and a large log
was wedges in the narrow gorge leading away from the drop.
After a leisurely lunch with temperatures in the sixties our large group put
in and headed into long stretch of continuous class II+ to shallow class III
whitewater set in a pretty canyon lines with vertical columnar basalt walls
between twenty and one hundred feet tall. The first rapid in the stretch
was the trickiest, with a significant drop and a few tight moves around
boulders. The water was never really powerful, but the river was
technical enough to get my attention in the fifteen foot open canoe. The
guidebook rates the steepest mile of this stretch class III+, and while that
is an overstatement of the difficulty at this low level, higher water could
create a more powerful stretch of river and it is likely that a few larger
hydraulics would develop in a few places. It is also true that more water
would make this stretch considerably less technical. As it was, these
were fun rapids for open canoes.
All of the rapids were boat scoutable and we had a good time snaking
through the complicated boulder gardens. A few of the beginners had
some long swims here, and we spent a good deal of time waiting for then
to get their gear and thoughts collected. The run was probably a bit too
complicated for new paddlers, but everyone managed to keep smiling.
One of the tricky things about helping swimmers on this piece of
river is that the shores are densely vegetated with bushes and
shrubs that are able to grow up when the river is dry for most of
the summer. The lack of a flood cycle means that none of the
shoreline growth is ever eliminated. For swimmers this means
that there are often long sections of river where it is not possible
to get out of the water. The result was that some of the
swimmers in our group took long swims through the shallow
rapids and got a little beat up. Luckily the worse injury was a
black eye and a banged up knee.
As the day progressed and the sun lowered temperatures in the
canyon dropped quickly and significantly. To speed up the rest
of the day a few boat swaps were made and one of the
beginners ended p canoing out with Steve while someone else
paddled their kayak. We were fortunate to have a diverse
enough group out on this WKCC trip to allow for this swap which
helped us reach the takeout with daylight to spare.
The long stretch of whitewater gradually tapered, but interesting
drops and steady current continued for much of the distance to
the take out which is on river right above Cline Falls and a
highway bridge. By the time everyone pulled off of the river the
sun was already low in the sky and the shaded canyon was
getting pretty chilly.
All in all this is a great stretch of river for a canoe trip or for
beginner to intermediate kayakers. For its proximity to Bend it is
incredibly scenic and remote feeling. In my opinion I would say
that this piece of river is much more enjoyable than its
description in the guidebook "Soggy Sneakers" suggests. I
found myself pleasantly surprised by the terrain and the
whitewater. I should be clear that this is not a whitewater trip per
se, but rather a great stretch of river that happens to contain
some nice class II-III rapids. If this section of the Deschutes were
not diverted for irrigation it would have enough water to paddle
year round and would likely be a tremendously popular float trip.
We ended our day by heading into Bend for dinner and drinks
and spent the night in Yurts at Tumalo State Park. These
heated lodges are economical and each sleeps six. By staying
over near Bend we were able to get an early start and paddle
the next section of the Deschutes downstream of the Cline Falls
take out. This made for a great club trip and I would definitely
return again in the future as there are not many options for
paddling in the high desert steppe this close to Eugene. We
enjoyed warm temps and great weather all weekend while the
Willamette Valley lay shrouded in a chilly fog.
river is that the shores are densely vegetated with bushes and
shrubs that are able to grow up when the river is dry for most of
the summer. The lack of a flood cycle means that none of the
shoreline growth is ever eliminated. For swimmers this means
that there are often long sections of river where it is not possible
to get out of the water. The result was that some of the
swimmers in our group took long swims through the shallow
rapids and got a little beat up. Luckily the worse injury was a
black eye and a banged up knee.
As the day progressed and the sun lowered temperatures in the
canyon dropped quickly and significantly. To speed up the rest
of the day a few boat swaps were made and one of the
beginners ended p canoing out with Steve while someone else
paddled their kayak. We were fortunate to have a diverse
enough group out on this WKCC trip to allow for this swap which
helped us reach the takeout with daylight to spare.
The long stretch of whitewater gradually tapered, but interesting
drops and steady current continued for much of the distance to
the take out which is on river right above Cline Falls and a
highway bridge. By the time everyone pulled off of the river the
sun was already low in the sky and the shaded canyon was
getting pretty chilly.
All in all this is a great stretch of river for a canoe trip or for
beginner to intermediate kayakers. For its proximity to Bend it is
incredibly scenic and remote feeling. In my opinion I would say
that this piece of river is much more enjoyable than its
description in the guidebook "Soggy Sneakers" suggests. I
found myself pleasantly surprised by the terrain and the
whitewater. I should be clear that this is not a whitewater trip per
se, but rather a great stretch of river that happens to contain
some nice class II-III rapids. If this section of the Deschutes were
not diverted for irrigation it would have enough water to paddle
year round and would likely be a tremendously popular float trip.
We ended our day by heading into Bend for dinner and drinks
and spent the night in Yurts at Tumalo State Park. These
heated lodges are economical and each sleeps six. By staying
over near Bend we were able to get an early start and paddle
the next section of the Deschutes downstream of the Cline Falls
take out. This made for a great club trip and I would definitely
return again in the future as there are not many options for
paddling in the high desert steppe this close to Eugene. We
enjoyed warm temps and great weather all weekend while the
Willamette Valley lay shrouded in a chilly fog.
Steve and Cate float along on the smooth upper stretch of the fifteen mile run on the Deschutes
from Tumalo State Park to Cline Falls.
from Tumalo State Park to Cline Falls.
It is important to take out on river right well upstream of class V Awbrey Falls and the class II lead
in is continuous and contains no eddies for stopping.
in is continuous and contains no eddies for stopping.
Bellow Awbrey Falls the Deschutes enters a long a scenic canyon that contains a
few miles of great class II-III whitewater.
few miles of great class II-III whitewater.
A large and diverse group of paddlers joined this WKCC trip and we all ended up having a
great time on this gorgeous day.
great time on this gorgeous day.
The lower canyon on this section of the Deschutes was small but outstanding. Many miles
of scenery like this filled the second half of the trip.
of scenery like this filled the second half of the trip.