Trip Details
Illinois River
Meeting Time and Place:
All trip members will meet at 8:00pm the evening before the trip begins in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express in Grants Pass, Oregon 800-838-7666 or 541-471-6144. At the pre-trip meeting your trip leader will distribute dunnage bags, go over final triplogistics and answer any last minute questions. The following morning we will leave our vehicles at the Holiday Inn and be transported by van to the river (3 hours). At the conclusion of the trip we will be returned to the Holiday Inn (5 hours).
ARTA provides the following:
-
Pre-trip meeting in Grants Pass, OR
-
Transportation from the Holiday Inn to the river and back.
-
All meals from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day
-
Rafts (see below)
-
Lifejackets
-
Waterproof bags for personal gear
-
River touring equipment, guides, helpers and cooks
You are responsible for:
Where to Stay:
Overnight accommodations for both before and after the trip are good at either the Holiday Inn Express 800-838-7666 or 541-471-6144 or the Best Western Inn Grants Pass 800-553-7666 or 541-476-1117. Reservations should be made well in advance. There are other motels nearby, including the La Quinta 800-531-5900 and the Redwood Motel 888-535-8824.
back to top
How to Get There:
Driving: Grants Pass is located on Interstate 5 about 55 miles north of the Oregon-California border; 6-7 hours from San Francisco, and 12-14 hours from Los Angeles. To get to the motels, take the South Grants Pass exit, (# 55), and head west towards town on Grants Pass Parkway. Take the first right onto Agness Ave. and the motels will be on your right.
Flying: Horizon/Alaska, and Skywest/United serve Medford, Oregon, which is about 30 miles southeast of Grants Pass. For van transportation from the Medford airport to Grants Pass, contact Galice Resort, 541-476-3818. Due to potential delays, we do not recommend flying out of Medford the evening that the trip ends.
Additional Information:
About the River:
The headwaters of the Illinois River are high in the Siskiyou Mountains of Northern California. Flowing north, the river cuts a steep and winding canyon to its confluence with the Rogue River, approximately 35 miles from the Pacific. The 34 mile section that we run is protected as a Wild and Scenic River and contains some of the most exciting and challenging whitewater in the west. It also contains some of the most exquisite scenery in the world. Numerous side creeks cascade directly into the river; deep, blue-green pools burst into sparkling whitewater; giant house-sized boulders and steep cliffs pinch the river through narrow passages; and colorful wildflowers bloom on shore. Adding to this spectacle of scenic wonder are rapids which can hold their own against any on the continent. Pine Flat, Submarine Hole, Prelude and the Illinois' signature rapid, Green Wall, are just a few of the many rapids that will be encountered.
The Illinois is a secluded, remote, and rarely run river with wide variations in its flow. Due to its difficulty, isolation, and unpredictable nature, it is best suited for experienced rafters looking for a challenging adventure. This is a challenging trip in a remote and inaccessible canyon; everyone should be physically fit, agile, coordinated and healthy.
back to top
Being Prepared:
llinois River weather is notoriously inclement and you should come prepared for cold and rainy conditions. DO NOT SKIMP ON THE EQUIPMENT LIST! Because the river is extremely cold, we require that all trip members have a "Farmer-John" type wetsuit, at least one thick, polypropylene, fleece top, and a sturdy waterproof rainshell. A "Farmer-John" wetsuit covers the torso and legs but is sleeveless, allowing good shoulder movement; 3mm or 1/8 inch thickness is ideal. Fleece garments retain their insulation even when wet and are ideal for river wear. One or two pile or fleece sweaters, jackets or expedition weight long underwear tops, (commonly called Polartec or Polarfleece) are advised. A waterproof rainshell or paddling jacket will keep you dry on the river and in camp - make sure it is waterproof, not just water-repellant. Also, polypropylene pile or fleece socks, (not cotton!), and a pile or fleece hat will help keep you warm on really cold days.
Types of boats:
Due to the difficulty of the Illinois River we only offer oar-paddle combination rafts.
Oar-paddle combination rafts are 14 or 16 feet long and are configrured to allow two or four paddlers to assist a guide who rows the raft using 10 foot oars. The precision of an oar raft and the power of a paddle raft makes this the ideal rig for the Illinois.
Meals:
ARTA meals are well-balanced and consist of quality foods with fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables. The guides double as camp chefs and the menu includes a wide variety of dishes. Lunches usually consist of hand-foods and are served picnic-style at riverside stops. Dinners and breakfasts are cooked over an open fire and often include tasty Dutch Oven baked treats. If you have special dietary requirements or are celebrating a special event during the trip, please let us know in advance.
Drinks:
ARTA provides fruit drinks at meals. If you would like soda, beer, wine, or liquor with your dinner, please bring your own in unbreakable containers, (beer and soda in cans, wine and liquor in plastic bottles). Due to weight and space restrictions, we ask that you limit the amount of canned drinks to a moderate amount.
back to top
Weather:
Think rain! The Illinois is only runnable during the early spring when the weather is usually wet. It doesn’t rain all the time, (it sometimes snows), but you should be prepared for drizzly overcast days. Highs are usually in the 60’s with lows in the 40’s. The water temperature is in the 40’s.
Local Attractions:
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in nearby Ashland is renowned for its Elizabethan Stagehouse and repertoire of Shakespearean drama. Visit orshakes.org or call 541-482-2111 for ticket information. Also in the area is scenic Crater Lake National Park.
Travel Insurance:
Because life is full of surprises, we suggest you consider purchasing supplemental
travel insurance for your trip. Trip cancellation, evacuation, baggage loss and
other coverages are available for between 4% and 11% of your trip cost.
You can get more information at www.travelinsure.com; please enter ARTA's Participating Organization Number (215296) at the top of the enrollment form.
Gratuities:
We want you to feel like a guest in our home; tips are never expected. But, if you feel that your guides did an outstanding job, a post-trip gratuity is a flattering way to let them know. Tips should be based on your satisfaction, your financial means and your attitude about tipping. They have ranged anywhere from 5 to 20 percent of the trip cost, (with the occasional recommended book or coveted hat thrown in). It is customary within ARTA to give the tip to the Lead Guide who will distribute it equally amongst all of the staff. And thank you very much.
More Information
If there are any questions we haven't answered, please feel free to contact us. Our office staff enjoys telling folks about our trips, so don't hesitate to call 800-323-2782.
back to top
|
