Upper Klamath 2-Day Rafting Trip

Meeting Location & Time

8:15am in Ashland, Oregon (exact time varies based on season and group). Pickup or custom shuttles available upon request. Trips return approximately 4:30pm on day 2.

Itinerary

Day One: Hells Corner – The Legend Lives

We begin our journey on the Hells Corner stretch. One of the most exciting and remote whitewater runs in the West. With over 14 miles of sustained Class IV whitewater, this high-volume section is packed with legendary rapids like Caldera, Satan’s Gate, Ambush, and the infamous Hells Corner itself. Set within an ancient canyon and ponderosa pine ridges, Hells Corner embodies the spirit of the Old West, wild, remote, and unyielding. High Country Expeditions has been guiding this section for over 20 years.

Once flows drop below 1400 cfs, we limit boats to 4 guests + 1 guide per raft for maximum maneuverability, excitement, and safety. This stretch is logistically complex, with remote access and longer shuttles, requiring a minimum of 6 guests total (we’ll group smaller parties together to make trips happen).

Day Two: Wards Canyon – Rediscovered River

On Day Two, we explore the freshly freed Wards Canyon (Kiceaki Reach)—a stretch of river that had been deprived of water and hidden between Copco and Iron Gate Reservoirs for over a century. Now, with the dams removed, this newly exposed river corridor is alive again, revealing geological marvels, historical log structures, and untouched majestic basalt cliffs.

You’ll paddle through approximately 3.5 miles of technical canyon whitewater, paired with another 6+ miles of gorgeous scenic, ever changing new river channel through what was once still water. Every turn offers a glimpse into the past: wild creeks carving fresh paths, 100-year-old sediment giving way to a dynamic riverbed, and vibrant wildflower blooms during spring months.

The Wards Canyon section runs through land sacred to the Shasta Nation, whose stewardship of the Klamath dates back thousands of years. We are honored to explore this stunning terrain with a sense of reverence and connection.

A Journey of Contrast and Connection

This expedition is far more than just a rafting trip. It is a powerful passage through time, terrain, and the vibrant rebirth of a legendary river system. The Upper Klamath tells two stories at once: one of raw, untamed adrenaline in the rugged, volcanic heart of Hells Corner, and another of profound ecological renewal in the newly revived Wards Canyon. Over the course of two days, you’ll experience the extremes. Towering canyon walls and open floodplains, historic gold rush relics and sacred tribal land, thrilling whitewater and peaceful riverside glamping under an expansive high-desert sky.

Hells Corner is steeped in 25 years of High Country Expeditions’ guiding tradition. It’s where volcanic power meets old-west character: ponderosa forests, remote trails once traversed by trappers, and nearly non-stop, technical Class IV rapids that echo the untamed spirit of the American frontier.

Wards Canyon, by contrast, is a glimpse into the Klamath’s future. The newly freed canyon flows where stillwater once drowned a vibrant ecosystem. As the river reclaims its course from the beds of the former Copco and Iron Gate reservoirs, it uncovers ancient creek beds, 100-year-old log structures, and an abundance of wildflowers, birds, and life returning with every bend.

To experience both stretches together is to witness the transformation of the West itself. A river reconnecting with its wild soul, and a culture reconnecting with land long held sacred by the Shasta Nation. As stewards and guests, we are honored to guide you
through this extraordinary landscape. One raft, one rapid, and one restored mile at a time.

Reverence for Land and Culture

The Wards Canyon stretch flows through ancestral lands of the Shasta Nation, who recently had land returned to them along the Klamath River after over a century of displacement. We paddle with reverence, knowing we’re traveling sacred terrain that holds
deep cultural, ecological, and historical meaning.

The entire Upper Klamath lies along the Pacific Flyway, making it home to dozens of bird species including eagles, osprey, herons, and pelicans. Every bend in the river reveals something different. Newly introduced horses, creeks shifting their paths, volcanic cliffs glowing in the afternoon sun.

Trip Details

• Trip Duration: 2 full days with 1 night camp
• Class: IV+ (May–June), IV (July–September)
• Minimum Age: 14+ (for fit and adventurous paddlers)
• Raft Load: 4 guests + 1 guide per boat after 1400 cfs
• Total Distance: ~25 river miles over two days
• Minimum Group Size: 6 guests total (not one party)
• River Temps: Typically between 60–70°F

Trip Includes

PADDLING GEAR: We provide all necessary paddling gear free of charge. We offer splash tops (a nylon top with neoprene wrists and neck cuffs),  wet suits, neoprene booties and dry bags for items you want to bring with on the river with you. These items are provided automatically on cooler days, please request if desired for warmer trips.

MEALS: Gourmet lunches and full dinner/breakfast at camp. All meals prepared with local and organic ingredients when possible.

GUIDES: Professional guides with deep knowledge of the Klamath.

CAMPING GEAR: All camping gear including sleeping bags, cots, pillows and everything to make your glamping experience memorable in an outdoor Wild West setting along the river. We also provide a riverside glamping setup: cots, tables, and full kitchen.

SHUTTLE: Scenic shuttle transportation.

SWAG: Commemorative Klamath Expedition water bottle.