Named for a native tribe that once called the area home, the Clackamas River offers some of the best whitewater rafting in Oregon. It also happens to be the closest whitewater to the city of Portland. Flowing roughly 80 miles from its headwaters near Olallie Butte, the Clackamas carves a path through the Cascade Mountains before joining the Willamette River south of Portland. In 1988, 47 miles of the river came under protection of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Twenty-seven of those miles have been deemed recreational. Depending on time of year and put-in location, you can get the full river experience, ranging from lazy river to Class IIII+ whitewater. Rafters tend to prefer the section of river between Three Lynx and Memaloose, while kayakers tend to run Fish Creek to Bob’s Hole.
County: Clackamas
Put-in: Sandstone Bridge
Takeout: Memaloose takeout
Distance: Self-dependent
Float time: Self-dependent; guided trips in half- and whole-day options
Difficulty rating: Easy to moderate
Rapids: Class I to Class IIII+
Waterway type: River
Current: Moderate
River gradient: Average, 132 feet per minute (fpm); maximum, 160 fpm
River gauge: 250 to 500 cubic feet per second (cfs)
Land status: Public
Nearest town: Estacada / Three Lynx
Boats used: Canoe, kayak, raft
Season: Best in spring and early summer
Fees and permits: None
Schedule: Daylight hours
Maps: Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas: Page 49 C–D9
Getting there: From Estacada, head east on OR 224. If you’re setting out by yourself, put in at the Sandstone Bridge near milepost 41 on the Clackamas River Highway (GPS: N45° 07.000' / W122° 04.537') and arrange a shuttle at the Memaloose takeout near milepost 35 (GPS: N45° 11.681' / W122° 12.988').
THE PADDLE
The Clackamas is perhaps Portland’s favorite river for recreation, and it’s no wonder. It passes through narrow gorges with steep canyon walls, flows incredibly clear, and visits stately stands of old-growth forest along with a number of campgrounds and feeder streams. A popular hiking trail parallels the river, as does OR 224. The highway is a useful tool for potential paddlers—it allows you to scout the rapids you’ll be running later without causing much of a traffic distraction.
From Sandstone Bridge the first major rapid is Powerhouse (III+). During high-water season this rapid possesses some strong currents that can be trouble if you’re not paying attention. By late summer you’ll want to put in below this rapid.
After Powerhouse things relax a little with a series of smaller rapids coupled with excellent canyon views. Next up, the Narrows is an easy rapid through a scenic gorge. Roaring River (III) is the next rapid of consequence. At high-water flows there is a large hole at the bottom of the rapid; at low water it gets rocky.
Hole in the Wall (IIII), about 1 mile downriver from Roaring River, is a potentially dicey rapid with an eddy on the left that has a penchant for getting rafters stuck. This is one you’ll want to pay extra attention to. After another 1.5 miles you’ll encounter Fish Creek. This is a good place to take out (or potentially start) if you are in a time crunch. There is a boat ramp here, and this is the most common put-in for kayakers looking for a short run. Most of the classic play spots on the Clackamas are located on the 3-mile section of river below Fish Creek. After two smaller sets of rapids, Fish Creek and Armstrong, the river opens up just before a larger rapid at Carter Falls (IIII-). Watch for a hole in the center here.
WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 was created by Congress to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. As of December 2014, less than one-quarter of 1 percent of the nation’s rivers were protected by the act. Of all of Oregon’s miles of rivers, only 2 percent are protected, but that is still more than any other state! If you live in Portland, you are day-trip driving distance from three whitewater paddles on Wild and Scenic Rivers: the Clackamas and Deschutes in Oregon and the White Salmon in Washington.
Below Carter Falls you’ll tangle with two smaller rapids, Slingshot and Rock and Roll, before getting to the Toilet Bowl (III+). This one is a notorious raft flipper during higher flows, so be forewarned. Shortly thereafter, Bob’s Hole is an enticing Class III-that marks the end of Class III and above rapids. Although most kayakers take out up the rocks at Bob’s, the river below Bob’s Hole contains some entertaining Class II rapids before the takeout at Memaloose.
Local Information
Post-paddle food and drink: Fearless Brewing Company, 326 S Broadway, Estacada
Recommended outfitter: Blue Sky Rafting, (503) 630-3163; e-mail: Info@blueskyrafting.com