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We consider the Lowest Rogue to be
from Quosatana to the Port of Gold Beach.
Let's take things in order. There is a
map below for your convenience.
Weather: Wind is the thing that
needs to be mentioned. In the winter
months the wind is what it is. Some
days are windy, some are not. In
the summer months almost always the wind
starts blowing upriver at about noon.
This is because the Willamette Valley heats
up and starts drawing the cooler coastal air
inland. Some folks hate this wind.
If you are in an inflatable boat you will
wish you weren't. If you paddle with
feathered paddles you will have the benefit
over those that don't. The solution:
Start early.
The logical
Take-outs: Before paddling you must
determine your take-out so that you can
leave a vehicle. The Port of Gold Beach
is located at the extreme lower end of the
Rogue. Plenty of parking and easy
launch facilities as well as restrooms and
year round restaurants. The Port is
located inside a breakwater so the water is
sheltered. The Riverview Restaurant
is about 1 mile upriver from the Port, and
to the east of the Patterson Bridge.
There is a launch ramp and restaurant here,
however the restaurant is not always open.
The Old Mill Site is about 5 miles
east of Gold Beach. You access the
river by turning north off of the South Bank
Road and driving to the edge of the river.
You will be on a gravel bar. 2wd is OK
if you are careful. Huntley Park is
about 7 miles east of Gold Beach.
Again, you will access the river here via
the gravel bar. Access to the gravel
bar is at the west end of Huntley Park.
Restrooms. Lobster Creek Campground
is 10 miles east of Gold Beach. Amble
parking, a launch ramp and restrooms.
Quosatana Campground is 14 miles east of
Gold Beach and is at the top of what we call
the Lowest Rogue. It's also at the
bottom of the Lower Rogue. We consider
the Lower Rogue to be from Foster Bar to
Quosatana. Quosatana Campground has
restrooms and a launch ramp.
A word
about the commercial jet boats:
Many of the jet boat drivers are personal
friends of Lunartic Jim. They are a
great bunch of guys who do their jobs well.
They will never do anything that they think
will hurt you or put you in danger. If
they travel by you at speed stay away from
the shoreline and put your bow into the
wake. All will be fine. If you
want them to throw you a wave "wave them on
in an exciting manner". They might
come closer and throw a wave or two at you.
If you want even more waves dare them to
come back to try to dump you. The
passengers love this kind of action.
Lunartic Jim has never seen a kayak
overturn in a jet boat wake, even when the
driver was trying hard. If you want a
jetboat to slow down put your paddle
straight up into the air and hold it there.
Don't forget to wave at the passengers.
Almost all of them are wishing they were
you. RIVER ETIQUETTE
The Lowest Rogue is utilized by many,
especially in the summer months. Be
respectful of fishermen as you paddle by.
Try to stay away from them. The
private jet boats are often operated by
drivers unfamiliar with the river. Be
alert.
Paddle Trips
on the Lowest Rogue Paddle Up River
from Quosatana: This paddle
requires no shuttle and is very pleasant.
Paddle upriver for as long as you want.
You may need to portage your boat past a
riffle or two. When you are tired turn
around and float back to Quosatana.
This is a Lunartic Jim favorite.
Quosatana to Lobster Creek: River
time is about an hour. The most
difficult piece of water is where the
Quosatana Pond ends and the river flows
downhill for a bit. The rest is
easier. This is an excellent section
to paddle. Lobster Creek to Huntley
Park: River time is about an hour.
Nothing difficult in this section.
Very pretty.
Huntley Park to the Old Mill Flat: River
time is about an hour. The Rogue is
flowing out of the coastal range. This
section is even more flat than those above.
Pleasant. Lots of birds. Old Mill
Flat to Riverview Restaurant:
River time is about an hour. You have
two choices here. Stay river right and
travel down the main stem of the Rogue.
Stay river left (the flow should be more
than 1,500 cfs) and paddle down the old main
stem. This channel dries up as the
river drops so don't paddle this at low
levels unless you want to portage a bit.
The jet boats don't travel this channel.
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