Upper Clackamas River Rafting Adventure
Private Trip
Rafting
Fivehour rafting adventure on Upper Clackamas River with professional guideStable 12foot rafts accommodate six guests with complete gear providedExpert instruction and scenic paddling through Oregon wilderness included
Picture yourself gripping the paddle as crystal-clear mountain water rushes around you, surrounded by Oregon's towering evergreens and rugged canyon walls. This full-day rafting trip on the Upper Clackamas River delivers exactly that kind of rush, plus the peace of mind that comes with having Captain Garett Swigart at the oars. You'll spend five solid hours navigating some of Oregon's most scenic whitewater, learning proper paddle technique, and soaking up the raw beauty of the Cascade Range. This isn't just another float trip – it's your chance to really connect with one of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved rivers while building skills that'll serve you well on future water adventures.
Captain Garett runs a tight ship, and that starts the moment you meet at the put-in. You'll be suited up in professional-grade wet suits and booties – trust me, you'll appreciate that thermal protection when the river spray hits. The NRS 12-foot High Sides rafts are built for stability and comfort, with room for six paddlers per boat. These aren't your basic rental rafts; they're the real deal that guides depend on day after day. The high sides give you confidence to lean into your paddle strokes without worrying about taking an unexpected swim. Captain Garett keeps his fleet of 15 boats in top condition, so whether you're boat number one or fifteen, you're getting quality gear. The steady paddling rhythm develops naturally as you work together with your boat mates, and before long, you'll be reading the water like you've been doing this for years. The Upper Clackamas serves up consistent Class II-III rapids that keep things lively without being overwhelming, making this a perfect choice for paddlers ready to step up their game or experienced rafters looking for a quality day on the water.
The Upper Clackamas teaches you to read water the way locals do – by watching how the current moves around boulders, identifying the clean lines through rapid sequences, and feeling the boat's response to different paddle commands. Captain Garett breaks down the fundamentals of forward strokes, draw strokes, and pry strokes, but more importantly, he shows you when and why to use each technique. You'll learn to spot the tongue of smooth water that marks the entry to a rapid, and how to use eddy turns to your advantage when you need to regroup or scout ahead. The river's gradient creates a perfect classroom environment where you can practice ferry angles in calmer pools, then apply those skills when the water picks up speed through the boulder gardens. Your wet suit and booties aren't just for warmth – they give you the confidence to commit to aggressive paddle strokes knowing you're protected if you do take a dip. The NRS rafts respond beautifully to coordinated team paddling, and you'll feel that satisfaction of a well-executed maneuver when your boat carves through a rapid exactly where you intended. Transportation between put-in and take-out is handled for you, so your focus stays on developing those paddle skills and enjoying the ride downstream.
While you're focused on navigating rapids and perfecting your paddle technique, keep your eyes peeled for the native Chinook salmon that call the Clackamas system home. These powerful fish can stretch over three feet long and weigh upwards of 30 pounds when they return from the ocean to spawn. Peak salmon runs typically happen from late summer through early fall, and spotting one of these silver bullets shooting up through a rapid is always a highlight for rafters. Chinook are built for power – their broad tails and muscular bodies are perfectly designed for fighting upstream through the exact same whitewater you're navigating downstream. What makes encountering them special is witnessing that incredible drive and determination as they leap waterfalls and push through current that would knock most fish sideways.
The resident rainbow trout population adds another layer of excitement to your river experience, especially in the quieter pools between rapids. These scrappy natives average 10-14 inches but don't let their size fool you – they're perfectly adapted to the Clackamas' cold, oxygen-rich water and can dart through current with surprising speed. Spring through early summer offers the best viewing opportunities when rainbows are most active in the shallows. You might spot them rising to snatch insects off the surface or see their distinctive pink stripe flash as they dart between rocks. What rafters love about rainbow encounters is how these fish represent the healthy ecosystem you're paddling through – clear water, diverse insect life, and intact riparian habitat all working together.
Steelhead sightings add a touch of magic to any Clackamas river trip, though these sea-run rainbows are less predictable than their year-round cousins. Winter and spring runs bring fish in the 24-28 inch range, with chrome-bright sides that practically glow underwater. Steelhead behavior is fascinating to observe from a raft – they often hold in deeper slots and undercut banks, exactly the kinds of water features Captain Garett will point out as you drift past. These fish are legendary among Pacific Northwest anglers for their fighting ability and their mysterious life cycle, spending years in the ocean before returning to their natal streams. Spotting a steelhead during your rafting adventure feels like a bonus prize, a reminder that you're sharing the river with some of the region's most prized and protected wild fish.
This Upper Clackamas adventure hits all the marks – professional guide expertise, top-shelf equipment, and five hours of quality river time in one of Oregon's most scenic watersheds. Captain Garett's approach combines skill-building with pure enjoyment, so you'll come off the water feeling more confident about your paddling abilities and already planning your next whitewater adventure. The all-inclusive setup means you can focus on the experience instead of worrying about gear or logistics. Just remember to show up 15 minutes early and bring your sense of adventure – everything else is provided. The
Navigate Oregon's Upper Clackamas River in our sturdy 12-foot High Sides NRS rafts, each built to handle whitewater with confidence. These reliable workhorses seat up to six paddlers and feature reinforced sidewalls that keep you secure through rapids and calm stretches alike. Captain Garett Swigart guides every trip, bringing years of river experience to ensure safe passage downstream. The rafts track well in current, respond quickly to paddle commands, and provide stable platforms for both seasoned rafters and first-timers. With 15 identical crafts in our fleet, groups stay together while exploring this scenic Oregon waterway. Each raft comes equipped with all safety gear, and we provide wet suits and booties to keep you comfortable in mountain water. These proven designs have logged countless river miles and continue delivering smooth rides through the Clackamas canyon.
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