ANDY'S WILD WATER ADVENTURES!

We float the Deschutes near the town of Maupin. This is located about 1.5-2 hours from Portland or Bend, and about 3-4 hours from the Seattle area (south of Goldendale). Follow Highway 197 south from The Dalles and I-84, or proceed north on Highway 97 from Bend/Sisters, or east on Highway 26 to 197. From the south, take I-5 north to 205, 224, 26 and then 216. To reach Warm Springs from the south, use 126 east or 20 east to 97.

Nearby attractions include the restored ghost town of Shaniko, the Columbia Gorge (waterfalls, hiking, windsurfing), Mt. Hood (year-round skiing, snow play, scenery, resorts), Kah-Nee-Ta Resort (hot springs resort operated by Native Americans with salmon bake, rental teepees, etc.), Bend-area resorts (Sunriver, Eagle Crest, Inn of the Seventh Mountain, Black Butte, Crooked River Ranch), and Mt. Bachelor (skiing, sightseeing).

The Deschutes offers a wonderful one-day adventure for beginners or experienced rafters. While it's easy to shorten the run for a half-day trip (2 or 3 hours), most people opt for the full-day experience. This is not an exhausting or scary trip--rather, it's fun. River-runners characterize this section of the Deschutes as "Pool-and-Drop": a long pool followed by a short rapid. You tense at the start of a rapid, plunge into big waves or steep drops, then laugh and relax at the bottom. The Deschutes has a steady current throughout most of the section that we run, so you do not have to work hard at paddling all day. Occasionally there will be strong winds during late afternoon, but generally we are off the river by then. (Do not confuse our full-day Deschutes adventure with the short, 3-mile run offered near Bend--it's the same river, but not the same adventure. We offer 13 FULL miles of river adventure.)

We welcome children 5 years and up on our Deschutes River day trips. Kids need to weigh 40 pounds or more to fit our youth life jackets. It helps if they enjoy rollercoasters and water slides. Seniors of any age are encouraged to give this trip a try--let us know any special needs. (We have guided the Oregon Comm. for the Blind and other differently-abled people on the Deschutes.) Adults need to accept the idea that they will get wet--from the river, if not from a water fight. Remember that it gets hot here. The river temperature is about 65 degrees in summer--coolish, but refreshing.

Wear clothing that dries after getting wet--nylon shorts or bathing suit. T-shirts are popular for keeping sun off shoulders. Bring lots of waterproof sun lotion (remembering that some kinds may irritate your eyes), hat, sunglasses. Strap on all eyewear. You must wear tennis shoes (old ones) or Aqua-Socks/Teva river sandals footwear (no thongs, loose shoes, or bare feet allowed). Bring a change of clothes and towel for the end of the trip. We will have a day bag available for extra clothing and other items, but space on the rafts is limited. Bring only waterproof cameras (such as the disposable kind). You will not be constantly wet, but we can't be responsible for anything damaged by water or lost overboard. No smoking is allowed in the vans or during the day, except while sitting on the unoccupied raft and at lunch (due to strict fire regulations). Please do not bring valuables like expensive cameras or watches (we can carry wallets/car keys in our drybags but no cash is needed unless you are paying your fare or tipping your guide at the end of the day, thanks in advance!).

Our standard run involves meeting at The Oasis Cafe in Maupin (just east of the highway bridge over the Deschutes). We usually meet guests at 9:30 a.m., which gives us a head start on the day. After we have located all the guests who are scheduled to float with us on that day, we organize van shuttles to the launch site, near Harpham Flat (about 4 miles above Maupin). We generally launch about 10:00 a.m. or so--after unloading the rafts into the river, fitting everyone into the proper Coast Guard approved life jacket, and a brief safety talk. For large groups (24 or more persons), we usually have the rafts in the river and ready to go when guests arrive. Expect to see lots of people on the weekends--weekdays are wonderful if you can arrange them (and the BLM/Oregon State Parks now have a surcharge on summer weekends, to reduce boater numbers). Important note: groups larger than 20 persons will be split into smaller groups of up to 20 persons, due to BLM restrictions on launching large groups. No buses with capacity larger than 25-persons are allowed on the BLM access roads (meet in Maupin and shuttle from there). For large groups, we shuttle in smaller groups using local transportation services or our vans.

You may wonder about boater passes, which are required by state law for all floaters on the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River. We take care of these for you. The funds raised by the sales of these licenses go to protecting the Deschutes River environment.

We begin the actual float by assigning guests to an appropriate raft. Each raft will carry from four to twelve guests, depending on how large the raft is and how it is rigged. Our rafts are comfortable, professional-quality whitewater boats, ranging from 14-16 feet long. Usually, for the Deschutes, we offer paddle-rafting, where each guest is issued a canoe-type paddle and helps power the raft. A guide sits in the back of the raft, steering and giving paddle commands, so you always know exactly what to do. You paddle in rapids and relax afterwards--there is no constant paddling on our Deschutes trips.

We also offer paddle-assist, where some people are paddling and the guide is rowing from the back. Then there are straight oar-rafts, where the guide does all the work and you just hold on. Please let us know if you have a preference well before your trip, and we will try to accommodate you. Generally, almost anyone in moderate to good health will enjoy a paddle experience. Without a rowing frame, the raft will be bouncier in rapids, providing a better ride.

Another option is the inflatable kayak (IK). These are like one-person rafts, only much stronger and more maneuverable than the cheap little boats you may be familiar with. Our IKs are self-bailing, for comfort and safety, and are made of the same durable fabrics and coatings as our big rafts are. In the IK, you're on your own--guides provide some instruction in their proper use, and you are expected to follow the rafts down river--but there is no guide in your boat (except when a group of 6+ persons requests all kayaks with a special kayak instructor to lead them). We usually have these for large groups, sometimes for small groups, and also you may request them for your party.

After some paddle practice, we're right into our first big rapids, Wapinitia, where the river drops into exciting waves and crashes around boulders. Just downstream is another set of waves followed by Cape Canaveral, with an optional run over a rock on the right side. How you run each rapid is determined by your guide, who bases his or her run on the raft group's experience and desire for adventure. Just around the corner is the famous Boxcar Rapid, where professional photographers take everyone's picture as they crash through the whitewater. You may order your photos later, after the trip. Remember that the two companies who sell photos are separate companies--we don't sell the photos.

Time for a hearty lunch in Maupin City Park. This is a clean, shady park with restrooms and picnic tables. Lunch varies--generally on the Deschutes, because the weather is warm, we offer a buffet-style lunch, where everyone grabs a plate and helps themselves to sliced roast beef and deli turkey breast, whole-grain breads, a wide assortment of spreads, sliced fruit and cheeses, cookies, cut vegetables, lettuce and tomatoes, chips and dip, plus cold refreshing lemonade. (We prefer not to carry coolers or drinks in the rafts, but a small water bottle is OK for those who get thirsty during the day--also, beer/alcohol on the river is not allowed). If you need a special lunch--vegetarian, or fussy youngster, for instance--just let us know in advance. Usually our buffet-style has something for everyone.

Then get set for an action-packed afternoon. We run some quiet water with small riffles before bouncing through Staircase, Escalator and the Elevators (BIG, fun waves), plus Oak Springs, White River and Osborne rapids. Oak Springs is the big water of the trip--we don't scout the rapid, but guides will discuss options with their paddle crews before choosing a run. We will stop for a rest break with body surfing for the adventurous at upper Elevator. The raft trip will end a short distance above thundering Sherars Falls, about 2:30 p.m. or so, depending on the river's speed for that day. Our takeout is Sandy Beach. (We often drive by the waterfall on the trip back, where you may glimpse steelhead jumping.) Then it's into the van for a quick trip back to The Oasis and your car.

For overnight trips, we float the 45-mile stretch between Warm Springs and Maupin. This can be floated in two or three days. The longer trip allows more leisure time in camp, and also the option of continuing the trip below Maupin, running additional rapids. Overnight trips offer great scenery, fishing (check regulations first--artificial flies and lures only--native trout fishery restrictions apply), wildlife viewing (otter, deer, osprey, eagles), good camping conditions (open riverbanks, bodysurfing opportunities, great stargazing, pleasant air temperature) and general relaxing. No lodges are available--camping only. These trips are more suitable for older kids (age 8 and up) who can appreciate the occasional flat water (younger ones tend to grow restless without constant action).

Guides rig rafts and prepare meals; you are expected to pack and unpack your own gear and camp area. Guides are available to help with tent setup, air mattress inflation, etc. Meals are specially designed for the desert environment: salmon steak, barbecued chicken, cool salads, watermelon, etc. No fires or charcoal are permitted (fire regulations again!). Snacks are offered before dinner. Lemonade and punch are always available, and we encourage guests to drink these, or plain water, in the desert environment (or you may bring pop/beer/wine in moderate quantities).

On camp trips, we meet your group at the Warm Springs launch site on the day of your trip (meet at 8:30 for 2 day, 9:30 for 3-day). Because rivers flow only one-way, we begin at one place and end up several hours' drive away. Our van is shuttled ahead to Maupin, our take-out. If you wish to avoid the delay of packing gear and riding back with us (best for Portland and other northern-area guests), you should have your vehicle shuttled ahead, as well. The Oasis Resort in Maupin, or Oscar's Sporting Goods in Madras both supply shuttle drivers, cost is about $50. They will usually park your car for you in protected parking while you are on the river, if you ask. We can also arrange to pick you up at a motel or resort.

Another good overnight trip -- 2 or 3 days -- is the lower river, from Sherar's Bridge to the Columbia River. The water here is warmer, with fantastic summer steelhead fishing. Beyond Wreck Rapid, the drift is mostly moderate with occasional splashes, then we end with a blast by running four big rapids. New regulations require motorized jetboats only on alternate weeks here, so if you want a quiet trip, let us know and we will arrange your trip accordingly (no motors on the upper section). OR, we can combine lower with the upper run, for a grand 5-6 day adventure where you run 100 miles of the wild Deschutes.

You can buy fishing licenses and flies at River Central, a fly shop next to The Oasis Cafe. Meals and cabins are available at The Oasis, or north at Biggs, The Dalles, or Shaniko Hotel, south at Madras. Public camping is available all along the river; hookups are available at Maupin City Park. Camping can be tight on weekends; try Tygh Valley or Haystack Reservoir. Crooked River Ranch has fantastic scenery with RV hookups. There are also good, cool forest campsites off Hwy. 216 west of Maupin.

We are working to keep the cost of a good Deschutes River adventure affordable. Please see our brochure for current rates. Day trips include your lunch, boater pass and shuttle, guide and all river gear. Guests usually provide their own sleeping bags, air mattresses or foam pads, and tents; but we do have an overnight package we rent to folks who don't have their own. (The Deschutes is perfect for first time campers and the guides are there to help you with gear setup.)

We offer discounts for groups of 6, 12+, kids 11 and under, seniors over 55, 10% discount for mid-week bookings for groups of 6+ who float Mon.-Fri. We also do 4-6 day trips, custom fishing trips (ask for our fishing brochure). All trips include all meals on the river from lunch the first day to lunch the last day, boater passes for the entire trip, van shuttle if your car isn't driven around, guides, and all river/group camp gear. We need to have full fares paid in advance of trips, so we may purchase food and boater passes, pay guides, and arrange other details. You may reserve a one-day trip on your VISA/MC and then pay cash or check at the river, or charge any trip amount on your card.

Remember that as professional outfitters we must pay a percentage of our receipts to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as well as boater pass fees and insurance costs, which cuts down on profit margins. If you see a "cheap" Deschutes River trip offered, be sure to check on the outfitter's credentials before booking. Call the Oregon State Marine Board to confirm that the outfitter is licensed and insured as required by law, the Prineville office of the BLM to make sure the outfitter is authorized to operate Deschutes River trips (541/416-6700), and Oregon Outdoors Assn. Anyone not authorized to operate on the Deschutes by the Prineville BLM (541/416-6700) is ILLEGAL and NOT INSURED to run this river.