The Grande Ronde River, between Minam and Troy, in the Blue Mountains of Northeast Oregon travels 40 miles through a beautiful and isolated wild and scenic river canyon.

The put in for this run is at the Minam Store. The first 9 miles are on the Wallowa River, which merges with the Grande Ronde River at Rondowa. The scenery is steep arid canyon land with ponderosa pine forests, meadows and excellent wild flowers. Most areas along the river are roadless and primitive.

The rapids are mild class I ­ II+ with the primary boating season running from late March to the end of July depending on snow pack and spring weather. Most years this is a great family camping vacation for early summer!

There is a fun selection of mild whitewater in the first few miles. The named rapids include Minam Roller (1.5 miles from put in), Red Rock (3 miles), and Blind Falls (5.5 miles) all are encountered while still floating the Wallowa River. The Minam Roller is probably the most famous rapid on the river but it is actually just a wave and not really a hole. Blind Falls tends to cause more mishaps

Once on the Grande Ronde proper there is Sheep Creek rapids (mile 11), Martins Misery (mile 21) and Double Eddy (mile 44). All of the white water is mild and rated up to class II + or class III at higher flows.

Camping sites are plentiful along the river. There are many unmarked hikes up the canyon for views and one marked and established trail at the Bear Creek campsite (mile 24). Another interesting stop is at Sickfoot Creek (mile 32) where there is a short walk up the hill to an old homestead site.

Additional information can be found at the BLM website