I have been a river rat since back in the 1980's and have gown to love time on the river. It's a whole new way to see the world in a new light. Far more wild life to see and a part of the scenery one seldom is able to see. Vicki and I are building a new white water 14 ft Cateraft. It is a two seater and the frame is a combination fishing/ white water type. We have in the past used a 17 ft fiberglass drift boat and made the decision to move into a cat boat so we can be more versatile. We have run the Skagit, Sauk, Snohomish system, many of the coastal rivers have seen my drift boat with a steelhead or two on board,Yakima canyon as well as the Lochsa in Idaho all in the drift boat. We would love to do some over night trips as well as many day trips. If anyone on here has any experience and would like to plan some joint trips please chime in and we can make it all happen. We had hopes of having the new boat ready this past spring, but with retirment and building a new home it took a back burner. I am hoping to have the new boat all finished and operational by early spring in order to have fun this year. I know it's not off roading but it is a form of overlanding, just on the water instead of the backroads. If you have never tried it, it is a wonderful way to see the beauty of nature in a whole new prospective. We seldom do rivers with more than a class 3+ rating. Nice easy kick back floats can be a truly wonderful way to spend a day exploring just another aspect of Gods wonderful creation alone or with a small group of friends.
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NWOL EST. 2006
ADVENTURE TRAVEL ENTHUSIASTS DEDICATED TO OVERLAND EXPLORATION
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Glad to see this getting some attention! We have logged many many fun relaxing miles of river water. Jason, you asked about logistics of getting back to vehicle etc. We usually take our two Jeeps, drop one at the take out point and one at the place we put in. When float is finished, load up and go get other rig or one of us will stay with boat and other drives up and swaps rigs. Kind of time consuming with only two people, but a larger group simplifies it greatly. You get the picture. Some river systems have shuttle drivers who will do the shuttling for a fee.
Lets try and plan a day trip next summer to help some get their feet wet so to speak and see what it's all about! A beautiful fun trip we have done three times now, starts on the Yakima river up near highway ten (start of Bluet pass) and floats down to the take out near the diversion dam above Ellensburg. Some very mild bumpy water, gorgeous scenery etc. It's about a 4-5 hour trip depending on time spent enjoying highlights along the way. Lunch on the river bank is super fun! Keep posting up here folks and we can make it happen! I would love to plan this trip. Late june through late Aug is the best time, as the water is warmest.
Love to connect and get on the water. Wife and I just moved to Seattle from Colorado where we did a fair bit of rafting. Currently we have a 14' NRS raft set up for whitewater and multi day trips. Happy to connect and get on the water with you guys.
I would love to learn about river trips! I have always wondered how you put a boat in, drift for miles, then get back to your car!! How does that work? I’ve done it with your companies that had a van and crew. How does it work when your solo?
Hard to beat a good river trip. Did the Gulkana River up in south central AK a few years ago, had a blast. You really get to see the back country and enjoy areas that would be next to impossible to get to otherwise. About 45 river miles, we did it in 4 days, would have been nice to have stretched it to 5. Although I know people that have done it in 3, not much loitering time. There's a falls that you have to portage around, which is on the second day. That means you still have most of your supplies (i.e. a "boatload" of beer) which is surprisingly heavy when you have to carry it all a mile over a split log trail.
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I know some of the rivers in ID are perfect for multi-day trips, good mix of conditions and access to some of the most remote places here in the lower 48. Never thought of most of the WA and OR rivers as being multi-trip rivers, although no reason you couldn't.