| Description:
Tucked away in the far reaches of Eastern
Oregon is yet another one of Oregon's little known play spots. The
Wallowa River flows out of the Eagle Cap Wilderness and winds its
way through gorgeous canyons before joining the Grande Ronde River
near Palmer Junction and Rondowa, OR. On the last leg of The Wallowa
river's trip to meet The Grande Ronde River, The Wallowa flows over
a couple of well placed ledge and creates the Minam Roller just a
few miles downstream from Minam, OR.
A couple of people have given me a rough
description and sent me the pictures above. This is a spot I really
need to check out for myself. In a lot of ways, The Minam Roller sounds like
Rodeo Hole on the Wenatchee at high water with a nice wave hole at
the more optimal medium levels. There is a lot of mention of it
being quite a powerful raft flipper at high water in various guide
books, so if retentive is
your thing check it out at high water. On my way to Idaho in the spring this is definitely a place I am going to stop and check out.
It is time to find out how good this spot really is. |
| Eddy Service:
There is a good eddy on river-left below the
feature. |
| Water Levels:
The Minam Roller starts to come to life around
2500 cfs and just keeps building as water levels rise. The optimal
levels are from 4500 cfs to 6000 cfs. Above 7000 cfs the roller
just keeps getting more powerful. The Roller is a well known raft
flipper above 9000 cfs and some kayakers might find the roller to
be a little too retentive for their taste above 8,000 cfs. |
| Gauge:
Grande Ronde River at Troy. |
| Season:
Periods of snow melt and Spring Run-off. |
| Difficulty:
At low water 2500 cfs to 6000 cfs anyone with
a strong roll will probably be able to enjoy it. Above 7000 cfs it
is probably a spot only experts will enjoy. |
| Driving Directions:
From Interstate 84 exit onto Oregon Highway
82 in La Grande, Oregon. Drive North on Oregon Highway 82 until you
reach the Minam Store in Minam, OR. The Minam Roller is the first
significant downstream of the Minam Store (1.4 miles). |
| Closest Town: Minam, OR |
| Closest Services: The Minam Store
just up the road a bit. |
| Other Local Attractions if the play isn't
in: Head to Idaho or The Play around the Spokane area. |
| Closest Camping: There is camping
available along the river. |
| Local's Tips: Local's ??? wish I knew
some. |
| Local Kayak Shops: ???. |
