Grave Creek Falls is the first real rapid of the Rogue's Wild Section, and in 2025 I hit rocks and spun in my Super Puma, then made some good saves to finish it.
Video: Grave Creek Falls on the Rogue River By Jacob Linkhart 2025 on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
Disclosure: SOLWYRX Paddle Gear sells Sawyer gear, and I earn money when you buy it here.
Grave Creek Falls comes up right after the Grave Creek put-in, so it's often the first rapid of the trip, before you've warmed up or settled your load. That's a lot of why it catches people.
Recovering when it goes wrong
When you hit a rock and spin, the worst thing you can do is freeze. Look downstream, find where the boat needs to go, and take the stroke that gets you there, even if you're backward. A spun raft can still run a rapid; a raft with a frozen rower can't. That's the whole point of Don't Flinch: Be Proactive, Not Reactive.
Strong, stiff oars help you make those quick corrections. Mine are Sawyer DyneLite XD MXS (see the MXS oar guide). Next on the river: the Rainie Falls fish ladder, where things got worse before they got better.
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.
