Natural History of the Rogue River Wild
and Scenic Section
There simply is not enough room on this
webpage to detail the history and uses of the entire Rogue area. Therefore, we
will concentrate on the Wild and Scenic section that has for centuries enticed
men and women to discover and revel in its bounty. In a nutshell the Rogue
river is a special place.
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Visitors to the wild Rogue river are
taken by this river's magnificent charm. Perhaps it stems from the Rogue's lush
forests, deep green pools, sparkling waterfalls, classic rapids, and rich past
dotted with natives, pioneer families and early whitewater boaters. In 1968
Congress passed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to preserve the nation's
outstanding rivers. The Rogue was one of the eight original rivers protected by
this act. Congress was merely validating what an exclusive group of adventurers
already knew: that this is a rare treasure. Rogue voyages are the oldest and
most famous river trips in the Northwest. As early as the 1920s, Hollywood
stars and presidents paid local guides to carry them through the canyon for
fishing, sight seeing and whitewater thrills. The Rogue quickly developed a
legendary reputation as one of the West's greatest adventures. In this era,
Glen Wooldridge became one of the original river guides. Much of the river's
illustrious boating history is recounted in his book, A River to Run.
Before the 1900s, the Rogue river was home to the Takelma and Tutuni
tribes. These nomadic people moved from the coast to the mountains subsisting
on the river's abundant population of salmon and steelhead. Early exploration
by French trappers brought conflict, and the French began calling the tribes
"coquins," or rogues. The river then became known as "La Riviere aux Coquins,"
which was later shortened to the Rogue River. White settlement in the Rogue
valley boomed after the discovery of gold in the canyon. The lower Rogue, where
our trip takes place, remained wild and untamed. The lure of precious metal,
though, did bring new comers. Most were hermit miners who worked along the many
side creeks. Some were packers or pioneer families who made a living offering
services for the miners. The gold rush put pressure on local resources and by
the late 1800s the Takelma and Tutuni were gone.
Much of the Rogue's
mysterious charm resides in it's lush surroundings. The dense forest is one of
the oldest, most diverse forests in the country, where ancient forces still
hold sway. Huge pine and fir trees mix with dramatic madrones, maple, mock
orange and a myriad of wildflowers. The lower canyon has dozens of side creeks
with fern-lined grottos and some of the most spectacular swimming holes
anywhere. The entire canyon is virtually covered in green The Rogue wilderness
is also home to abundant wildlife. Deer are very common, as well as black bear
and Osprey. Bald Eagles have recently reestablished a permanent home in the
canyon. The Rogue has long been famous for strong salmon runs, and a patient
observer can still sight one leaping the main drop at Rainie Falls or cooling
off at the mouth of a side creek. A very sharp eye might spot an elusive
ring-tailed cat or lone coyote.
A
Rogue
river rafting trip passes through several canyons of dark gray and green
rock where the river's unique geology is strikingly apparent. Geologists
surmise the Rogue river was already cutting it's westerly course when the coast
range was uplifted. As the mountains formed, the river continued west, dropping
into new cracks in the earth. In these places, such as Mule Creek Canyon, the
river narrows to a little as ten feet across. Rafting this slot is a thrill!
The narrow confines of the lower Rogue river canyons create some of the best
white water in the west. Never fierce, the Rogue is always fun.
| For info on a
specific Rogue river region click on the name below! |
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