Ten Friends Hike—and Raft—The Rogue River
At the end of September, nine Minnesota-based friends—and one honorary Minnesotan, Mary Wiegand, who lives in the Seattle area—headed to the Rogue River valley in Southwest Oregon to do a unique trip: a multi-day, lodge-to-lodge rafting/hiking combo.
"Many of us trained together in 2025 to do the Grand Traverse. When we finished that adventure, we decided we wanted to a destination hike," explains Jodi Rogness, adding that everyone in the group is retired, so they all had both the time and resources.
The pack also has the outdoor experience. In addition to the Grand Traverse on the technical Superior Hiking Trail, the ten of them, who range from 60 to 70 years old, have been all over the world on adventures, including canoeing in the Boundary Waters, completing several three-day Susan G Komen walks, hiking on the Inca Trail, and cycling in Cambodia and Croatia.
More importantly, most of them have been hiking together weekly for over six years. As anybody who has an exercise-related friend knows, the bonds you create while in motion are ultra durable and allow for vulnerability and connection. "We have been supporting each other through the challenges and joys of the past few years," says Carolyn Cleveland, "Caring for aging parents, parent’s passing, grandbabies, surgeries, injuries, divorces, mental health challenges. In other words, the full gamut of life. Our shared past made this trip even more rewarding."
Even though I'm not (quite yet) in their age range and not (quite yet) retired, I was envious of their group adventure. I wanted to know more—and I'm guess you do too. Here's a recap of their trip from Jodi, Carolyn, and Mary.
One of a handful of stream crossings on the Rogue River Trail.
A perfect combo: A hiking trip with the possibility of rafting felt like the best of both worlds. The rafts moved our gear, so we only needed to carry a daypack on the hikes, which ranged from 7-15 miles a day.
When we signed up, we weren't exactly sure of the type of rafting it would be; we initially envisioned a calm float. Closer to the trip we realized that there was the possibility of white-water rafting. The rafting safety talk made it clear that the raft option had the potential to be exciting and challenging as well. One of our hikers ran Class IV rapids (with a guide, of course).
Ready for the Rogue River's version of a Lyft.
Ten Billy Goats Gruff: Each day, there were a few spots along the route where you had the opportunity to move off the trail and into the raft, which was such a nice option. On the second day, when it was 90 degrees and blaring sun, we all got in the raft at 12.5 miles, instead of finishing the full 15-mile day on our feet. The 2025 Moon Complex fire closed the last 5 miles of the Rogue River Trail; many bridges were burned and have yet to be rebuilt, so we also all got on the boats for the last stretch.
Hiking also had safety instructions: The area is beautiful, but our guides told us if you’re going to look around, STOP first. Most of our miles were in the canyon, so they reminded us to to put your weight on the inside of the trail. That way, if you slip you’ll first fall into the side of the hill. If your weight is on the cliff-side and you slip, you'll head down the cliff. (Thankfully, there were no significant slips in either direction.)
More about the trail: The trail was rocky with the aforementioned steep drop to the river on one side, and featured stretches of scree, stream crossings and a few boulders to climb over. There was also plenty of poison oak trail side, so we really had to be paying attention to both the terrain and the plants.
We all adored Vikram, our trail guide.
Although he's also in his sixties, his fitness level is that of a 30-year-old.
With challenge comes reward: The scenery was breathtaking, and the country had rich and interesting gold mining history. We all got a real feel of empowerment hiking the challenging trail in the heat and doing it well. We supported each other on the trail and we laughed a lot!
Furry + rattly friends: Those in the raft had a bear sighting, and those of us hiking had to skirt a rattlesnake one day. Also, in the lodge on the first night, we had plenty of bats keeping us company.
Lunch on the trail. (There were also snacks on the trail, afternoon snacks and beverages when they arrived at a lodge, and dinners and breakfasts in the lodges.)
Miles of deliciousness: All the food was excellent, but the food at Half Moon Bar Lodge was next level. Dinner was brisket, fresh garden tomatoes, garden veggies, homemade buttermilk biscuits with homespun butter and jam. Dessert was THE best chocolate cake and homemade ice cream. The next morning, we feasted on fluffy homemade cranberry orange muffins, pancakes, bacon and eggs; plenty of carbs to keep us energized!
Full stop: Being in the wild with like-spirited women is life-affirming.
Blistered and bonded for many miles.
Say more, please: Each of us came to the trip with our own history, past and recent. As we spent time together, barriers came down. There is something about facing a challenge outside of our usual lives with friends that deepens the connections.
[Carolyn]: Having time by myself on the trail was good for my heart and soul as I processed my mother’s passing 2 days before the trip. I felt like I had the time to walk “with” her. I also knew that I was not walking alone; nine other women were supporting me.
Interested in this trip? Advice from people who have done it: Train diligently for it. Realize the trail is challenging; someone who is afraid of heights would likely not be comfortable. (But the raft is available if/when you need a break.)
Even with training, blisters will happen. Almost all of us faced new and challenging blisters, mostly on our right feet. It probably was because of the slight tilt of the trail down to the right. Bring LOTS of moleskin and look at the best sock options for preventing blisters.
Finally, having a hydration pack is key. You want to be drinking throughout the day. By afternoon the trail is primarily in the sun and it can be very hot and dry.
