The Illinois combines the lush beauty of the Rogue with the challenging whitewater of the Tuolumne and the solitude of the Selway.

Every trip is a test; a test of skill, (numerous Class IV and V rapids in a narrow, rocky canyon), a test of patience (highly unpredictable flows and wildly fluctuating levels), and a test of rain gear,(Southern Oregon in the spring!)

But, when everything falls into place, this is river trip nirvana! The water is cold and often has a glacial, aquamarine tint to it; the canyon is green and is always blanketed with a dazzling mixture of trees, shrubs, and flowers; the creeks are ubiquitous, blasting into the main river and tumbling from the surrounding cliffs; and the rapids are big, bold and knee-knocking.

This is an incredible whitewater rafting trip for intrepid adventurers only; if you get cold, scared or bruised easily, stay at home.