Upper North Umpqua & Dutch Oven Cookoff
River: Upper North Umpqua River
Location: USFS Horseshoe Bend CG - Deer Flat Group Camp
Date: Thursday, June 1st - Sunday, June 4th, 2023
Rating: Class III-III+ (IV)
Length: 16 Miles
Trip Information: This is a beautiful class III-III+ (IV) river and is pool and drop in nature. The run is from Boulder Flat to Gravel Bin. Pinball Rapid is Class IV.
Trip Length is roughly 16 miles.
We will be boating the North Umpqua River both Friday, Saturday and maybe Sunday.
NWRA and OWA have camping reservations at Horseshoe Bend Campground in the Deerflat group area. Camping fees are paid by both clubs and is free only at the Deerflat group camp area (Thursday, June 1st through Sunday, June 4th). Horseshoe Bend Campground is located approximately 40 miles east of Roseburg on Oregon 138. This is car camping style and is a fully self-supported event. There are bathroom amenities provided.
We will organize shuttle by 9:00 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday morning. Potluck and Dutch oven cook off competition is on Saturday night with prizes for first, second and third place for main dish, side dish and dessert. If you don't wish to enter Dutch oven you can of course bring anything for the potluck. Feel free to bring or prepare any entree, side dish or dessert.
Please contact trip coordinator for further details or to sign up.
OWA Coordinator: Brenda Bunce,
NWRA leader: Walt Bammann
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umpqua/recreation/recarea/?recid=64866
And here's detailed instructions on how to get there (from the website):
From the North Umpqua Ranger Station (16 miles east of Roseburg on State Highway 138), take Highway 138 east 30 miles to Road #4750 near Milepost 48. Turn right on Road #4750 and right again on Road #4750-001. The campsite is to the right at first road junction inside the Horseshoe Bend Campground.
Latitude: 42.29278
Longitude: -122.68694
Additional Information: The annual joint camp-out on the Upper North Umpqua is set for the weekend of June 1st through June 4th and is being co-hosted with NWRA. Once again, we’ve reserved the Deerflat Group area at Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend campground is mid-way down the section of river we'll be boating. Deerflat sits on a bench just above the main Horseshoe Bend loops and will be available from Thursday afternoon (June 1st) thru Sunday noon (June 4th). It has lots of room to pitch tents but the hardened sites suitable for RV’s are limited, so RVs are given priority. We,ll squeeze vehicles in wherever possible and somehow it all works out. Camping is paid for by the clubs. Reservations are not needed. Come for one or multiple nights or just come for the day. This is a dog-friendly event, but they must be kept on a leash.
Highlights of the outing include boating the Boulder Flat to Gravel Bin section. We always float on both Friday and Saturday and sometimes occasionally on Sunday. The Boulder Flat section is a class 3 to 4 run with Pinball being the most technical. We’ve had over 20 boats on the river at times so folks new to the river can follow an experienced boater. There are usually several paddle rafts going so there may be open spots for folks without a boat who want to paddle. Also, many oared rafts will have a spot to ride if paddling doesn’t pan out. The water is quite cold, and the weather is variable so dress accordingly. Wetsuits, splash gear and dry suits are a better bet than just a swimsuit. Lunch is on the river and both clubs request that alcoholic beverages only be consumed in camp. We ask that boaters drive into the Deerflat area by 9 AM on Friday and Saturday so we can set-up the shuttles. Due to the number of boats, we usually have or try to minimize the number of trailers going to the put-in. There may be other groups trying to launch at Boulder, so efficiency is critical. Plan on stacking boats on trailers as much as possible. If feasible, we may try to run the shuttle before launching to smooth things at the takeout.
Deerflat Campground does not have hookups for RVs but does have water, flush toilets, picnic tables and fire pits. There isn’t a pavilion so consider bringing a tarp in case of rain. Bring appropriate camping gear to include chairs, table service, your own beverages, stoves and meals. There is a potluck Saturday night, but other meals are on your own. The potluck is highlighted by the dutch oven contest. There are some amazing cooks always trying to one-up the competition. We have prizes for the winners in main dish, side dish and dessert categories. Don’t feel like you have to cook with a dutch oven (or even a stove) as we need salads and other similar dishes. If you like to eat, the potluck is worth attending just for the gourmet dishes. Bring your own charcoal, tools, serving spoons, etc. Also, we can use extra tables for the food, so outfitter tables and folding tables are appreciated. Firewood may be in limited supply so if you can, bring some wood.
