Most people do the run from Sandstone Bridge (Three Lynx) down to the Memaloose Weigh Station just above the reservoir makes a great 13.5 mile day trip although many kayakers focus on the 4.2 mile middle section from Fish Creek to Bob’s Hole which serves up the best whitewater and some fine playboating. This section is also the site of the annual Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival (downriver, slalom, and head-to-head) that takes place in May every year at Carter Bridge.

Upper Clackamas Full Day – This trip is a great way to get the full Clackamas River experience. The Clackamas is one of the premier white water rivers in Oregon and is within easy reach of anywhere in the Portland metro area. This section includes all the major rapids on the Upper Clackamas 

Spring offer the biggest white water with large waves and powerful currents. Pools between each rapid provide a chance to regroup before powering through the middle of the next rapid. As the weather gets warmer in the summer, the rapids require more maneuvering but still provide plenty of opportunities to get wet.

The 12-15 miles of the full day trip offers continuous class III-IV whitewater, starting with Powerhouse rapid (III) just downstream from the put-in. From there rafters will paddle through back-to-back class III rapids, including Hole in the Wall, Fish Creek, Armstrong, Carter Bridge, Sling Slot, Big Eddy, Toilet Bowl, and Bob’s Hole. Midway through the trip, the group will stop for a riverside lunch and relaxation. From March-June, the spring and early summer snowmelts create high flows, thrilling rapids, and giant wave trains that are exciting for beginning and advanced rafters alike. As the water levels drop through the later summer months (July-August), the run becomes tighter and more technical. (River Drifters)

Upper Clackamas 1/2 Day Trips – The 6 miles of the half day trip offers continuous class III-IV whitewater, starting with Hole in the Wall rapid (III-IV) just downstream from the put-in. From there rafters will paddle through back-to-back class III rapids, including Fish Creek, Armstrong, Carter Bridge, Sling Slot, Big Eddy, Toilet Bowl, and Bob’s Hole before reaching the take-out. From March-June, the spring and early summer snowmelts create high flows, thrilling rapids, and giant wave trains that are exciting for beginning and advanced rafters alike. As the water levels drop through the later summer months (July-August), the run becomes tighter and more technical.