Itinerary Beginner float: Moore Creek to Memaloose (Class II)

This very short (1.8 miles) and relatively easy section can be floated in a kayak, canoe, raft or tube. Starting at Moore Creek access point, there are only a few Class II and I rapids and riffles, and then a large sandy beach take-out at Memaloose. 

As the lower Clackamas gets more crowded, summer goers are visiting the upper Clackamas for access to cool and clean water recreation. Many simply visit the two lakes (Estacada and North Cliff), but for a little bit of current and a glimpse of the truly wild and scenic section of the Upper Clackamas, consider this Moore Creek to Memaloose section. 

Landscape background

The run starts and ends in the rugged Clackamas River gorge, with sweeping views of the hillsides and near the end a great view of Big Cliff. Many trees were burned in the 2020 Riverside fire and much of the topography is starkly exposed. However, it also shows the quick comeback of many native trees and shrubs, and the landscape is rebounding. 

The water is typically crystal clear in the summer, with run-off silt and mud occurring only after heavy rains and snow melts. It is also cold: average summer temperatures rarely rise above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Amenities

Moore Creek, the put-in, has a steep but well supported access trail to the river.  Moore Creek does have toilets (concrete building with pit toilets), but Memaloose does not. There are pit toilets along the way at Lazy Bend campground. 

Moore Creek has parking for over a dozen vehicles. Memaloose, the take-out, has undefined parking on both sides of the busy highway, Access to the water is via social trails and a broad river beach.