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Appeal Tribune Wednesday, August 17, 2016 3B Urness Continued from Page 1B boat on the river. The book “Soggy Sneakers: A Pad- dler’s Guide to Oregon’s Rivers” and the website Whitewater Guidebook are good places to start, but kayaking with people who’ve experienced the river is always the best way to start. RIVER BRIDGE RUN There are multiple options to choose from on the North Fork Rogue, but the best introductory run is the 5 miles from River Bridge Campground to North Fork Reservoir. Considered by most a Class III run — with a few borderline Class IVs — there are enough complex rapids and potential dangers that a strong background in whitewater is recommended. In early July, I headed down to the River Bridge section with my friend Jim. Even though it was almost 80 de- grees, we wore full-body drysuits be- cause, yes, the water really is that cold. The river started out mellow, bounc- ing across rocky bars below a forest of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir that seem to bend inward toward the river. No houses line the river here, and the highway is far enough away that it cre- ates a wilderness-like experience. After about a mile and a half, we reached the beginning of the collection of Class III+/IV rapids. We decided to stop and scout the first major rapid — a left turn and river-wide drop called “Second Ledge” — and were immediately glad we did. Two downed trees obscured the main channel, and more trees laid across the ledge. We decided to play it safe and por- tage around the rapid, carrying our boats through thick forest to a beach at the bot- tom of the ledge. The next major rapid is known as “Swirly Chute” — a pretty apt name — but we came to what’s probably the most challenging (and fun) rapid at mile 2.1. “Right or Left” rapid, Class IV, is pret- ty self-explanatory. After entering a big wave train, the river splits in two direc- tions. Choose left, and you’ll need to launch off a decent sized drop. Choose right, and you’ll need to make a sweeping turn before dropping down a narrow, boiling chute. I chose right and, despite getting turned around for a moment, managed to make it through the chute without get- ting flipped. The whitewater didn’t let up, with three more steep boulder gardens that required swift rock dodging. One of them, “Mystery Door,” requires you to basically come to the edge of a big drop, Weeks Continued from Page 1B fourth in the first round of steer wres- tling. He ended up finishing 29th overall in the event. “I thought he did outstanding in his first run, placing fourth overall,” his fa- ther, Rodney Weeks said. “His second ZACH URNESS/STATESMAN JOURNAL Jim Heck paddles his kayak down the North Fork Rogue River. quickly pick a line and go before the riv- er pushes you over. At last, the river gives out, as the North Fork Dam backs the reservoir up for the final half mile of paddling. The forest is beautiful here, and it’s a nice, peaceful way to end a day on the fast and thrilling river. North Fork Rogue River (Upper Rogue) Location: Prospect / Union Creek area on Highway 62 north of Medford Activities: Whitewater kayaking Kayaking run: River Bridge Campground to North Fork Reservoir NATURAL BRIDGE Difficulty: Class III+/IV If the River Bridge section leaves you wanting more, a step up in terms of diffi- culty is from Natural Bridge to Wood- ruff Bridge campgrounds. This run is just 3 miles but is a step up in terms of beauty and difficulty. A 20-foot waterfall, Knob Falls, must be portaged. Distance: 5 miles When open: Year-round Helpful information: The book”Soggy Sneakers: A Paddler’s Guide to Oregon Rivers” or whitewaterguidebook.com/oregon/north -fork-rogue-river/ PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWEST RAFTING COMPANY Get started: Consider contacting or joining a group like the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club (wkcc.org). A kayaker goes through “Right or Left” rapid, downstream of River Bridge Campground. MILL CREEK SECTION Yet another step up in terms of beauty and difficulty begins in the small town of Prospect, below a 173-foot Mill Creek Falls. A Class IV+ section of steep and very fast whitewater, this 3-mile run ends in Lost Creek Lake. TAKELMA GORGE Put-in spot: River Bridge Campground (8 miles south of Union Creek; follow signs to campground and river access) walled gorge of Class IV+ whitewater. Certainly worthwhile if you’ve got the ability. Take-out spot: North Fork Reservoir park (14 miles south of Union Creek; turn right on dirt road just before Prospect to North Fork Reservoir park) Zach Urness can be reached at zur ness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Zach Urness or @ZachsORoutdoors on Twitter. Only experts navigate this steep- steer was not a good one and I feel in a lot of ways the draw took him out, but that’s part of rodeo because no animal is going to be the same.” For years, Weeks and his father have been training at their home facility. They’ve got a practice arena, horses and livestock to train with, helping them gain an advantage over fellow competi- tors. Weeks has spent years watching, training and developing skills with his father. “My dad is pretty talented as well in roping and events like that so he’s been able to teach me just about everything I know,” Weeks said. “We practice pretty much everyday.” Now that Weeks has had a taste of na- tional competition, the goal is to continue competing and eventually join the Na- tional Pro Rodeo series. He has been competing as at amateur pro rodeos the last couple of years, so he’s got a head start. CLASSIFIEDS Discover Discover Disc Di scov sc over ov er your y your ourr new ou new ne w home ho home me Find a new job or career lramirez@StatesmanJournal.com or Twitter.com/@LuisRamirez10 silvertonappeal.com Place an ad online 24/7 at StatesmanJournal.com or call 503-399-6789 • 1-800-556-3975 Turn here for your next vehicle HOMES & RENTALS JOBS “I definitely want to keep competing and hopefully in the next few years go professional,” Weeks said. “There’s ama- teur rodeos throughout the Northwest that I’ve already been going to and those are a step down from big pro rodeos like St. Paul and Pendleton. 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