The McKenzie River’s swirling, frigid rapids take some unsuspecting kayakers and rafters by surprise. The bubbling water sometimes holds those who attempt to kayak along its banks upside down, fighting for breath, leaving them with an intense headache and the desire for more.
The river flows from the Cascade Mountains, parallels Highway 126 and merges with the Willamette River near Springfield. It provides waves for adrenaline junkies and breathtaking scenery for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Business administration major Macy Burnham, who also owns and operates the outdoor kayaking school River Quest, said the McKenzie is an incredible river to learn on.
“From a beginner’s standpoint, it’s an excellent river if you don’t mind getting cold,” Burnham said. “It’s beautiful up there — crystal-clear water. The scenery is stunning.”
On most days, kayakers play in the holes or float on a downriver run. In March, the sunny weather lured many paddlers into the 42-degree waters.
The river also has some of the best play-boating in the region. Paddlers practice flipping their kayaks sideways, end-over-end and in circles.
Junior LJ Groth said he frequents the wave hole at Neils Point.
“At Neils, you can do just about any new trick that’s possible,” he said. “You can practice for bigger and better places.”
The McKenzie also is a great river for those who are less interested in flipping their kayaks and more concerned with keeping the boat on the top of the water. According to the whitewater guidebook, “Soggy Sneakers,” most of the McKenzie is rated a II-III. The accepted rapids rating system is based on levels one to five, with five being the most difficult.
The classic “Milk Run,” as some locals call it, is a section of the McKenzie that is a class II-III.
“There’s something to do at low, medium and high water levels,” Groth said. “There’s always something fun to kayak on.”
The Milk Run includes Clover Point, a class II rapid with a play hole, and Marten Rapids, a class III.
“Rafters and kayakers alike find themselves swimming at the end of Marten Rapids,” said Outdoor Program trip facility manager Ed Fredette. “It makes an impression.”
All paddlers should be aware of Brown’s Hole, which is one of the most notorious spots on the river. It may look unassuming, but kayakers and rafters can be held and recirculated in the hole if they don’t have enough forward momentum and power. In addition to looking out for Brown’s, kayakers should keep an eye out for other watercraft, including inflatable rafts and wooden drift boats.
With all the excitement and beauty the McKenzie has to offer, thinking about the precautions paddlers should take to be safe can sometimes be difficult.
“People new to the McKenzie need to be aware that the water is very cold,” Fredette said. “It’s easy to get hypothermic on even a 90-degree day.”
Burnham said one of the main difficulties with boating the McKenzie is the shifting debris.
“Fallen logs can create hazards that could drown unsuspecting boaters who aren’t careful,” she said.
Lifejackets, helmets and layers of warm clothing are advisable. Kayakers should always paddle in groups and check the water levels at an updated Web site, such as http://kayak.science.oregonstate.edu.
Herons, eagles, river otters and beavers are fairly common along the river. Impressive cliffs rise from the river at Eagle Rock rapid, although they are sometimes veiled in a spring mist.
Fredette said boaters should stop by the Outdoor Program in the EMU, which coordinates trips on the McKenzie through postings on the trip board in the office.
“It’s a great place to meet people who love the outdoors,” he said.