Mail Boats

[Net Boy]

Does anyone have a recommendation as to what Mail/Jetboat trip is best. The trip from Grantspass to Hellsgate Canyon, or from Gold Beach up. Our daughter is 5. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Doug

[Flying Roast Beef]

They are both quite the experience. My only suggestion given the age of your daughter would be to do it in the summer.

[hawgcatcher]

I have been on both trips but like the one from Gold Beach up to Blossom Bar, with a lunch stop there. The 52 mile trip is so much more interesting and goes through a wild area. I like the mail boat trip but any are good. You will love it.

[jokester]

We took the one from GP to Hellgate, and it was a really neat trip!! Got to take lots of scenic pics, see tons of wildlife, and overall, just had a very relaxing time!

-jokester

[freedrift]

We went on the one from gold beach up to the lodge probably 15 years ago or so. We didn't go on the mail boats though, we went on another jet boat that was also was running at the time. I have no idea if they are still around or not. That was one heck of a ride. If your daughter likes boats and going fast, she will be in heaven. I look forward to taking my kids down there someday. The "pilot" of our boat was the son of the guy that owned the lodge at the time where we had lunch. He was great and made it really fun. I also remember getting very wet a couple times.

[Salmo Gairdnerii]

Our family has done the trip from Gold Beach up to Paradise Lodge (the 80 mile trip) twice with Jerry's Rogue Jets. The first time our kids were 4 and 7 and the next time they were 7 amd 10. We took the morning trip and had lunch at Paridise and got back to Gold Beach around 4pm. I feel the a.m. trip is much more fun because the boat pilots do tricks (spin outs etc.) and get you pretty wet. They also play around with the outfitters who are floating down the river in rafts (water fights with water ballons and squirters). It can be a little cold at first, but you warm up pretty fast. You stop at Agness for a potty and stretch break on the way up. You can't belive the scenery and wildlife that you will see. The skill of the jet boat guides is pretty amazing too as they zip in and out of places you think they wouldn't be able to go. I remember the first trip we took and our guide was one of the Boice boys and when the trip was about done he slowed the boat so that my kids could "run" the boat. My daughter pushed the throttle up and did we take off alomst leaving the guide (and a few other folks) in the river. Now that was a shock. It has been a few years since we have taken those two trips and back then I belive it was kind of pricy for a young family, but I am glad we took the trips anyway. :grin:

[freedrift]

Our guide was also one of the boice's, Court I think his name was.I couldn't remember in my first post. I remember him saying " you are probably wondering how I miss all of these rocks. It's because at one time or another I have hit them all so I know where they are at" didn't exactly fill me with confidence, but you could tell by the way he was running that boat that he either knew what he was doing or he was suicidal and was taking all of us with him. either way it was a heck of a ride.

[Coastalfisherman]

I have done the Jerry Rogue jet trip from Gold beach to Paradise lodge 4 times in as many years. This trip is awesome, and love to see all the critters. We have seen lots of bears, deer, turkeys, salmon being caught. Also being on a 26 foot boat that spins on a dime is highly entertaining.

[Blackjack]

I'd like to make that trip myself. Any recommendations on good camping areas close by?

[hawgcatcher]

Four seasons campground on the river used to be pretty good and the mail boat would pick you up on their dock. Check them out.

[Net Boy]

Thanks for all the input. I appreciate it. Now to decide on which trip.