Eddy Out: Nugget Creek on the Middle Fork of the Salmon

Nugget Creek, mile 87.9, comes in on river-left deep in the heart of the Middle Fork of the Salmon's "Impassable Canyon". A short hike up the creek leads to a small grotto where the creek takes a plunge from the canyon wall high above. At the mouth of the creek there is a small cabin which was perhaps built as early as 1917 by Earl Parrott.

Earl Parrot, who was later dubbed the "Hermit of Impassable Canyon", lived in the Middle Fork canyon for over 25 years. He was as self-sustaining as one could be. He had two cabins - one at the top of the canyon where he had a garden and another at the mouth of Nugget Creek (which is visible from the river) where he panned for gold.

Only a handful of folks ever ran into Parrott while he resided on the Middle Fork. Those who did found him skiddish and irritated. He preferred to be by himself and away from people - which is exactly why he took a liking to the Middle Fork's remote canyon.

On August 15th, 1945, Earl Parrott died in Salmon, Idaho. Although is lower cabin remains, his upper cabin was burnt to the ground by a forest fire in 1989. Today a creek, lake, and campsite bear his name.

Kayaking on Oregon's Rogue River

We're teaming up with Phil and Mary DeRiemer to offer two great kayak instruction trips on the Rogue River for 2010. The two dates we've chosen are August 11-14 and August 18-21. These four day trips are all camping but with the luxury of raft support. Phil and Mary will help you hone your paddling skills and the Rogue River Journeys crew will be there to provide tasty meals and camping supplies to make your Rogue River kayaking trip the best it can be.

Mary DeRiemer works with a trip participant on the Rogue in 2009:

Join us in 2010 for a Rogue River kayaking trip you'll never forget. Build your skills, enjoy great company in camp, and don't worry about a thing. This is one of our most popular trips so don't wait, book your trip today. To reserve your spot on one of our Rogue River kayaking trips give Rogue River Journeys a call at 1-866-213-7754.

More information:
Check out the DeRiemer's Rogue kayaking page.

Eddy Out: Rainie Falls on the Rogue River

Rainie Falls, mile 1.7, is the largest rapid on Oregon's Rogue River. The actual falls, which drops nearly 12' feet, is easily portaged (which we always do) along river-right through a channel known as the "Fish Ladder". One can hear the roar of the falls nearly a mile away. A long flat pool of water leads to an enormous horizon line where sprays of water shoot into the air and a mist from below the falls rises up into the air.

The falls is named after "Old Man Rainie" who lived on the Rogue and gaffed salmon from the falls. During the fall season, one can sit at the base of the falls and watch countless salmon attempt to clear it on their way upstream.

Eddy Out: Sheepeater Hot Springs on the Middle Fork of the Salmon

Sheepeater Hot Springs, mile 13.1, is a series of hot pools on a high bench on river-left. The hot water bubbles out of the ground and as it makes its way from pool to pool the temperature of the water cools down. The various temperatures of the pools allow everyone to find a comfortable place to soak.

The large bench is popular amongst deer, elk, big horn sheep, and mountain goats. The minerals that are brought up by the hot springs makes the area attractive to wildlife. A few logs are all that remain of an enclosed cabin that was built by Jack Crane around 1911. Crane was a foreman at the Bingham Canyon copper mine in Utah but also had claims at Sheepeater.

This popular hot spring is normally accessed by groups camped in nearby areas. Some of the most popular camps to access this hot spring are: Sheepeater Upper, Sheepeater Lower, Scout, Joe Bump, and Fire Island. The Middle Fork trail runs right next to the hot springs so hiking to and from these river-left camps is relatively easy.

Photo by Tysun McMullan.

Rogue River Night in Portland set for April 1st

The first annual “Rogue River Night” is slated for April 1st at Shorebank Pacific (1101 SW Washington Street) from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Southern Oregon’s Rogue River, one of the eight original Wild and Scenic Rivers from 1968, is poised to gain additional Wild and Scenic River miles. Wild and Scenic status offers protection to rivers and streams from further development or degradation. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects many of the most popular wilderness rivers in the United States.

The evening will showcase Rogue River photography by Roger Dorband, a discussion by a representative from the Save the Wild Rogue Campaign, and offer perspectives from guides and staff of Rogue River Journeys, a Rogue River whitewater rafting outfitter. Appetizers will also be served.

Those who wish to attend the event are asked to RSVP either online (http://tinyurl.com/ye3o6g3) or by calling Rogue River Journeys at 1-866-213-7754.

Eddy Out: Cameron Creek on the Middle Fork of the Salmon

Cameron Creek, mile 39.5, comes in on river-left immediately across the river from Little Loon Creek. During the summer months it is mainly a dry creek bed and to the uneducated traveler would be an easy site to pass up.

The name of Cameron Creek is attributed to Kenneth Cameron of Scotland who grazed cattle along this stretch of the river starting in 1916. Pictographs on a rock wall near the area as well as pit depressions in the ground and shards of obsidian suggest that the Sheepeater Indians spent extended periods of time at Cameron Creek.

In 1919 Kenneth Cameron married Bessie Watson. She lived upstream at Indian Creek when they first met. The two of them homesteaded thirty-five acres and grew grain, alfalfa, and potatoes. Soon after their marriage they bought the ranch at the mouth of Loon Creek. Eventually they sold their ranch and moved out of the river corridor. Kenneth continued to work the ranch life at Butte Ranch, just north of Emmett, Idaho.