An ordinary cloudy day rowing the Upper Clackamas River in a Super Puma, the river I call my whitewater playground.
Video: Cloudy day on the Upper Clackamas on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
Disclosure: SOLWYRX Paddle Gear sells Sawyer and Oar Snubber gear, and I earn money when you buy it here.
The Upper Clackamas run
Most people put in at the Three Lynx bridge. Big named rapids include Hole in the Wall (Class III, where the river hits an undercut wall and turns hard right), Carter's Bridge (Class III+ to IV, a ledge into a series of holes), Rock-n-Roll, Toilet Bowl, and the play spot at Bob's Hole (Oregon Kayaking). It's busy, fun Class III–IV water, and it changes a lot with flow.
Why "average" days matter
Not every run is a highlight reel, and that's the point. Days like this are where you build consistency: same lines, cleaner strokes, more confidence. I row the Super Puma on Sawyer DyneLite XD MXS oars, and I'd recommend an Oar Snubber for any rowing rig on a river like this.
Want to boat the Upper Clack with the community? Check out R1 Fest and River Rat Sunday.
Source: Oregon Kayaking, The Upper Clackamas
Personal trip report: flows, wood and hazards change, and what worked for me that day isn't a rule for your boat or group. Check current conditions, scout, and boat within your training.
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Updated October 28, 2026 · By Jacob Linkhart, owner of SOLWYRX Paddle Gear · Spot a mistake? Email me and I'll fix it.
