Paddling the Wild and Scenic Illinois River.

In late April, several kayakers including SRA’s Co-Executive Director Grant Werschkull paddled the Wild and Scenic Illinois River through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. As you learned in the previous article about Vimal Golding’s amazing headwaters trek, the Kalmiopsis supports some of the richest and most diverse plant habitat found in the Pacific Northwest. However, since this was a river trip, it offers an entirely different perspective. Special thanks to photographer Paul Macey, neuroscientist and Professor of Nursing at UCLA for his patience and dedication to recording the trip. Most of his photographs were from the seat of his kayak and that’s not an easy assignment!

Despite swift currents and wet weather, Paul Macey photo-documented a wild and scenic journey.

If you are a river person and you’re comfortable in a kayak or raft, you likely already know some things about this stretch of river. Any guidebook you consult will recognize it as one of the premier whitewater runs on the West Coast. And for good reason! It’s beautiful remote forested canyon country with rocky outcrops like you’d expect to find along one of the Rogue River’s major tributary basins. Outstanding water quality, too. The Illinois and the Smith are “sister” rivers. They share the same geology and hydrology which means you’re likely to experience clear water. Or, if you’re on the river immediately following or during an intense downpour, you might see flows change rather quickly. And the water clarity will change then, too.

The Illinois River’s crystal-clear water.

Bryant and Trip Leader Alex take a well-deserved break at camp.

Ours was an interesting group of somewhat older paddlers, two of them in their seventies, from as far away as LA. And this was a “self-support” trip meaning there were no rafts. The youngest, Sam Raskin, a geology teacher at Cal State Sacramento added a special dimension with his ongoing identification and interpretation of rocks and geologic features. That was a special treat. There are many unique plants to be seen. For example, if you know what to look for, you’ll see more carnivorous plants than any other river you might float —- with exception of the North Fork Smith. The plant is Darlingtonia or pitcher plant. A photo is below.

Cal State Sacramento professor Sam Raskin interpreted intriguing rocks and geologic features along the way.

Pitcher plants (Darlingtonia californica) inhabit wetlands on nutrient-poor soils, trapping and digesting insects within a specially evolved pitcher tube.

Support protection for the headwaters of the Illinois and Smith Rivers!

Please read the article in this newsletter about critically important pending legislation to improve headwaters protection for a cluster of salmon stronghold rivers in southwestern Oregon in the area known as America’s Wild Rivers Coast. Cities, counties, Chambers of Commerce, water purveyors, all stripes of organizations, and tens of thousands of citizens have come together in opposition to strip mining in the headwaters Hunter Creek, Pistol River, the North Fork Smith, and the Illinois Rivers. Join them in protecting these precious salmon stronghold rivers and sources of drinking water. Please take action as requested.

A kayaker scouts the Green Wall.

Float the Illinois River!

If you’re inspired to float the Illinois, but lack the experience or group to do so, contact one of the outfitters who have permits to run commercial trips on this world class river. Here are three we can recommend: Indigo Creek Outfitters; Momentum River Expeditions; and Northwest Rafting Company. These companies have outstanding guides with decades of experience. Consider taking a river trip you’ll never forget. The prime season for running Illinois and Smith Rivers is what we refer to as the rainy season. April is a prime month because spring is on, flowers are blooming, and the days are long. Drysuits will keep you dry and warm rain or shine. Paddling rivers can be part of saving them!

Anthea plans her route downstream.

Green Wall Rapids.

Click to watch a kayaker paddling the sneak route at the Green Wall.