John Day River: Clarno to Cottonwood

In May, my mom and dad joined me for a 69 mile trip down the John Day River from Clarno to Cottonwood. It was a very scenic central Oregon float. It was mostly flat water, though, there was one class III in the first day. The bass fishing was excellent even though it was still early in the year and water temperatures had not yet come up. We had roughly 3,000 cfs which translated into a perfect level for this run in a raft.


Dad gets the first fish

I finally get in on the action

Mom and Dad with the days catch . . . looks like dinner


Sunset on the river


Dad looking at some of the petroglyphs along the John Day River

Some unfortunate graffiti with an all too local connection

Our last camp on the John Day, looks like rain


The Take-out at Cottonwood Bridge