Paddling R1 on the Upper Clackamas in my 10.5-foot raft in 2026.
Video: R1 on the Upper Clackamas 2026 By Jacob Linkhart on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
Disclosure: SOLWYRX Paddle Gear sells SOTAR gear, and I earn money when you buy it here. SOTAR also sponsors me as an athlete.
The Upper Clackamas is my home river, and R1 on it is a blast. Rapids like Hole in the Wall, Carter's Bridge and Toilet Bowl (Oregon Kayaking) feel totally different when you're the only paddler in a raft. Every stroke counts, and so does every angle.
Try it with a group
I'm hosting R1 Fest, a casual community R1 day on this exact river. Non-R1 paddlers are welcome too. New to the terms? Read R1, R2, C1: What the Terms Mean. Looking for an R1 boat? See Merlin vs. Rogue and the SOTAR Lance.
More R1: I paddled R1 on the lower Clackamas and The McKenzie River 2025.
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.
