Rogue

Due to the Moon Complex Fire, the Wild section of the Rogue River from Grave Creek to Foster Bar was closed to all water-based recreation on September 25th. No river permits are being issued at this time. A Forest Service closure remains in effect for the fire area, including the Bear Camp shuttle road, until conditions improve.

My group witnessed a big rock fall event Saturday morning July 1 at 0940 on the Rogue River.

We camped at Lower Sanderson and heard rock fall on river left all night long.

When loading up Saturday morning we saw huge rocks fall into First Stop Beach camp on river left and as far out as the middle of the river. Some of the boulders were very large (like small car size). I would not camp at First Beach if you're headed down there.

The approximately 4 mile road segment between Almeda and Grave Creek is closed to vehicle traffic due to wildfire impacts and associated slope instability. BLM is currently evaluating options to address the issues with a goal of reopening the road for the 2024 season. Both Almeda and Grave Creek are accessible by vehicle but from opposite directions (i.e. you can’t drive between them). The road itself is in good condition and suitable for walking or biking. What this means for boaters running this stretch is you can’t drive through Galice and access Grave Creek; you will instead need to launch upstream from Almeda or another access point on the run above this one. You can still launch from Grave Creek but will need to use the alternate access route that comes in from the north. This will also likely result in a higher shuttle fee if using one of the commercial services.

Due to the Rum Creek Fire, the BLM has closed access to the Rogue River upstream of Grave Creek and is making day-by-day determinations as to whether groups may launch from the Grave Creek river access to run the permitted section of the lower Rogue River (the 'Wilderness Run'). For lower Rogue launch status, call 541-471-6535 (open 8 am- 3 pm) or visit the Rum Creek Fire's Facebook page for launch day closure info posted by 6 am. (https://www.facebook.com/rumcreekfire2022). Info will also be posted to the BLM website by 1 pm (https://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/rogue/rogue\_river.php).

On May 4th, 2020, Grants Pass Field Manager William Dean issued a letter informing river runners that 1) the permit season on the Lower Rogue River will not be opening on May 15, 2020, 2) No self-issued permits will be allowed for the Lower Rogue River, 3) Refunds for trips that have already been paid for will be issued and the permittees will be given the same start date in 2021, 4) the recreation section of the Rogue River is still available for day use, upstream of Grave Creek. While there is no timeline for resuming issuance of permits, the BLM is prepared to issue permits once it is safe to do so.