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.

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.

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.

Eddy Out: Paradise Lodge on the Rogue River

Paradise Lodge, 20 miles downstream of Grave Creek, is where we often spend our last night on the river. High above the river, the deck offers beautiful views looking downstream and upstream.

The lodge itself is rich in history. The land was first developed in 1903 by Charlie Pettinger. It was in such a remote location that, with exception to the mail man, very few outsiders ever visited. Even today there is no road into this remote area. The main lodge was constructed in 1959 by Deak and Louise Miller. The current owners, the Schleining family, are the fourth owners of this beautiful piece of land.

With a ceiling overhead, a fresh shower, and a bed to crawl into you'll be happy to stop at Paradise. Enjoy relaxing on the deck for hors-doevres and wine, taking a stroll on the Rogue River trail, or simply take in the views. At Paradise, "there are no strangers here, just friends we haven't met."

If you're interested in spending a night at Paradise Lodge, take a look at our schedule page for our "camp/lodge" trips. These are trips where we spend the first night or two camped along the river and then our final night at the lodge. They are our most popular trips and are the best way to see a little bit of everything the Rogue River has to offer.

Eddy Out: Veil Falls on the Middle Fork of the Salmon

Veil Falls, mile 81, is an impressive spring-fed waterfall that drops into a giant cathedral of mint and granite. From the river it may not look like much. But once you've scrambled over boulders and gone up the canyon wall nearly 200 feet you'll see why it is worth the stop.

There are three parts to the Veil Falls adventure: First is getting up to the falls, second is relaxing and enjoying the waterfall, and third is making is back down to the boats. Slow and steady always wins the race, especially at Veil. There's a well-worn path that leads to the cathedral but gravity is working against you on your way up. Veil Falls is not a drive-by, though, so you can spend as much time as you would like admiring the falls.

When the wind changes directions the drops of water turn, spiraling there way to the floor. You may be caught soaking in the afternoon sun rays one moment, only to be soaking in the waters from above the next. The ground is coated in mint leaves. Roll some up and put them in your nose. It sounds weird, right? Next, find a flat rock to lie down on and look up. Try to watch an individual drop of water fall from the very lip at the top all the way to the bottom. (photo above/right: Veil Falls twisting and turning on a windy afternoon. Photo by Tysun McMullan)

On the walls of the cathedral are pictographs, which further adds to the magic of this place. Often times we arrive and a herd of Big Horn Sheep are grazing at the base of the falls. Veil Falls is a must-make stop on the Middle Fork. You'll be glad to have made the trek to this beautiful place.

Random interesting fact about Veil Falls:

Very close to this location Barry Goldwater and Andy Anderson found a stick with "Bob McCollom L.H. Atkins 1889" carved into it.