3-day Trail Run and Rafting Adventure!
Join LEAP and our partner vendor Orange Torpedo Trips (who is donating their services at cost or below) and experience one of America’s favorite river canyons on this unique river adventure. Spend 3 days and 3 nights in the beautiful Rogue River Canyon, experiencing the same section of river LEAP uses in it’s mission to change the lives of people recovering from traumatic life experiences.
For you land lovers, spend half the trip running the trail. The Rogue River trail navigates the steep canyon walls paralleling the river along the way. This special vista filled trail is a unique trail running experience. The remote nature of the trail and the way it was literally blasted into the cliffs by the early miners in the area give it a feel unlike many other trails in the United States.
For those with their sea legs (or perhaps river legs) half the trip will be made floating the river. Our vendor partner Orange Torpedo Trips is one of the oldest guiding companies on the Rogue River and has the most experienced staff with the average head guide tenure of over 30 years guiding for OTT. The Rogue River is one of the eight rivers originally protected under the 1968, “Wild and Scenic River Act” and after entering the canyon it becomes immediately obvious why the Federal Government declared this a place worth protecting. The rapids are many, they are exciting, and they are the perfect difficulty to entertain the avid river runner and be manageable for the first time river traveler. The wildlife is abundant; it’s rare a trips goes without seeing at least one bear, numerous dear, multiple eagles, otters, turtles, and osprey. The scenery is dramatic and foreboding inviting the traveler to relinquish themselves to their setting and fully relax.
Nights on this river canyon adventure will be spent in 3 riverside lodges. This is the perfect way to experience the wilderness canyon. Relax in the evening with friends while enjoying a glass of delicious Southern Oregon wine, full from a delicious home cooked meal, and relaxed after your hot shower. When exhaustion over comes you, retire to your soft bed in your private room. Not a bad way to, “camp” in one of America’s oldest wilderness areas.
If you would like to either run or raft the entire trip, please just talk with us about it.
Itinerary:
Meet the night before the trip at Morrison’s Lodge by 6 PM. After an incredible five course dinner the group will gather for a short pre-trip orientation and an opportunity to watch a short video about LEAP and our mission. At this time you will be given your dry bag for the trip and have an opportunity to ask any questions about what to pack.
Day 1:
9:00 – Meet for a rafting orientation.
10:00 – Leave for the river and the trail.
10:30 – 11:30 – Everyone rafts the warm up section from Almeda to Grave Creek
11:30 – 4:30 Run day one on the trail 9.2 miles. The hardest day as far as general elevation change. Can be run much faster, but we suggest taking time and relaxing. In the morning group A will run and group b will raft. Will meet the raft multiple times during the run. Switch runners and rafters near the half way point for the day. Rafters will experience numerous class III rapids both in the morning and afternoon.
4:30 – 6:00 – Arrive at lodge, shower, grab a drink and relax.
7:00 – 7:30 – Dinner
7:30- 10:00 – (Lights out at 10 pm. You don’t have to go to bed, but the generator shuts off )-Free time at the lodge.
Day 2:
8:00 – 9:00 – Breakfast
9:30 – 10:00 – Meet and prep for the day.
10:00 – 4:30 – Run to Marial Lodge. 14.7 miles with multiple opportunities to meet the raft and grab snacks and fill drinks. Many people arrive at the Rogue River ranch and spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming in the creek. Runners and rafters will switch mid-way through the day.
4:45 – 6:30 – Shower, grab a drink, and relax
6:30 – 7:00 – Eat some of the best home cooked food on earth.
Day 3:
8:00 – 8:30 – Breakfast
8:30 – 9:00 – Pack up and get ready to go.
9:00 – 2:30 – Run to Foster Bar, 15.9 miles. Can go faster depending on the group. This is a highlight day with the scenery of Mule Creek Canyon. Runners and rafters will switch mid-way through the day. The morning section is the most exciting river section of the trip.
2:30 – 3:00 – pack-up at Foster Bar and change clothes for drive back.
3:00 – 5:00 – Drive from Foster Bar back to our shop in Merlin OR.
