Things to figure out
Open questions, bookings, and gear to sort before departure.
Gear to buy
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buyRestop 2 waste bags (~14 pcs for 2 people × 7 days)
BLM-approved toilet system for the Rogue Wild Section. Mylar gas-impermeable pouch with zip-lock — lightest option that also seals odor for week-long storage in a dry bag. Restop 2 on Amazon · Restop manufacturer
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buyFire pan
Required on the Rogue (and Illinois, below high-water mark). Any metal pan with raised sides works.
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buyBear-hang cord (~15 m paracord) + dry bag for food
Canister not required, but Rogue camps have habituated bears. Hang food + smellables every night.
Permits & bookings
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callRogue pre-May-15 launch — confirm process
Launch ~May 13 is before the regulated-season lottery window. Likely self-registration, but confirm. Smullin Visitor Center: 541-618-2408 (open 7am–3pm daily from May 5).
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checkFern Canyon permit — do we actually need one?
Permit window is May 15 – Sep 15. Redwood phase is Apr 30 – May 5, so likely no permit needed. Verify visit date falls before May 15.
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bookRedwood Creek dispersed camping permit
Free, from Redwood Parks Conservancy. Grab online or at the visitor center.
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planIllinois River self-registration (Selma kiosk)
Free, no restrictions. Self-register at Ray's grocery kiosk in Selma on May 4 evening.
Logistics to confirm
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callParadise Lodge & Marial Lodge — open and selling meals in early May?
Every meal we buy saves ~0.5 kg pack weight on the Rogue hike-up. Call ahead before committing to the hike-up / float-down plan.
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checkFS Road 23 snow status (Agness ↔ Galice/Grants Pass)
Typically snowed in until late May. Our plan doesn't depend on it, but good to know if plans change.
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planRental car pickup — Gold Beach, Brookings, or Crescent City?
Book ahead. Needs to handle the ~350 mi drive back to SFO on May 16.
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checkWater levels — daily from ~1 week before launch
Illinois ideal 700–2,400 cfs · Rogue 1,000–6,000 cfs · Redwood Creek min ~350 cfs. Gauges linked in the overview.