Canoeing the Ana River - Summer Lake Oregon - High Desert - May 2023

I had an amazing time canoeing down a section of the Ana River for approximately 3 miles. It is the shortest spring-fed river in Oregon. The culverts at the head of the river carry water for about 400' from the spring-fed Ana reservoir into the river. The little waterfalls around the head of the river are spring-fed as well. I paddled my 33 lb. canoe like a kayak using a double-bladed paddle. It was super quiet, just the sound of birds, trickling water and my paddling. I saw fish, snakes, frogs, dragonflies, an owl, lizard, beaver (or muskrat), red-wing black birds and a trumpeter swan. Over the last 25 years I have paddled dozens of creeks, rivers and lakes in Oregon and in my opinion this river has the most beautiful water I have seen. I spent half my time looking down in the water mesmerized by the vivid colors and clarity. Snake at 5:16. Beaver or muskrat at 13:15.

[@consentofthegoverned5145]

That's a cool area... there are a lot of interesting things to see and do w/in 50 miles of there. There are caves, geysers petroglyphs, fossils, dunes, obsidian, Crack-in-the-ground, Fort Rock, Hole-in-the-ground, Lost forest, Abert Rim, etc.

[@steveparsons6324]

Are you crazy, it’s horrible over there. Mosquitoes will drain you of blood… ticks… rattlesnakes… Simply horrible! 😂

[@consentofthegoverned5145]

@@steveparsons6324 True- and wind and ghosts too... no one should ever go there! STAY AWAY!

[@robinandrhie]

Yes and few people!

[@davewinch7677]

I love paddling little channels like this, especially on a warm beautiful day.

[@robinandrhie]

Exactly. And when you have the place to yourself its icing on the cake.

[@PhotographybyTimWMoore]

Beautiful area! Our favorite Spring time place for photographing birds and other wildlife!

[@leedogs3420]

Bummer you didn’t fish. But I enjoyed it anyway

[@davidsalo8397]

I enjoy hearing only the splash from your paddle. And the chirping of birds. Trying to wade/walk this stream is very difficult. Brushy with deep mud. Looks very snakey too.

[@SkylinersYeti]

Paddling is flat water is so relaxing. You hear or see more wildlife and see the world in a different way. Another place I have been wanting to check out is the lower section of the Chewaukan River. It has been a wetter than average winter and the Warner Wetlands may now be paddleble.

[@MrKobayashi]

This is idyllic! Absolutely gorgeous. What time of the year did you make this trip? I'm so taken by this river it's going on my bucket list!!! Thanks so much for posting this video.

[@robinandrhie]

@MrKobayashi thanks so much for your comments. Yes, it was an amazing paddle. May.

[@MrKobayashi]

@@robinandrhie Thx! Paddle on!

[@Cyfi71]

Very nice paddle, kind of reminds me of the Verde River in Cottonwood, Az. Summer lake is now on my list for this summer!,😎

[@bamboo-spined9689]

Havent been here in over 10 years. Alot of childhood memories though. It looks the same too. I use to rinse off in the little water fall down there. Thanks for posting.

[@richardmitton4115]

Wow! Cool video and great water! So quiet and secluded. Old Town Pack? Or? Looks like a perfect short float!

[@robinandrhie]

Thanks, yes that's my Pack.

[@longrider42]

Is this a man made river? It looks interesting enough. I'd use my Kayak. Looks like it was a great day too.

[@robinandrhie]

No, although some of the water comes from the lake but it is technically spring-fed. I have kayaks too but I used my canoe so I could mount my tripod up high and look down at the water so it looks like you are in the boat with me.

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

River? Looks like an irrigation canal or a creek. Water is sure translucent probably because of little dissolved iron, and the inclusion of phytoplankton. The amazing variety birds around the area warrants a visit wit my 500 and my sit-on kayak. Thanks for the post

[@robinandrhie]

Yes its more of a creek but I was just using the official name of the water feature.

[@wangchung8134]

It was definitely the little dissolved iron or the inclusion of phytoplankton...thanks for the breakdown Darwin....now back to nature without the science class LOL.

[@carolhiler4690]

Great video Robin! We love the Summer Lake area and we love to kayak. Did you paddle back up to the culverts? We would love to try this sometime.

[@robinandrhie]

Yes I paddled up to the road called county highway 4-17. It was a very different and amazing canoe trip.

[@davidsalo8397]

A shuttle is required.

[@crunchfootjim4936]

Beautiful little stream but looks like it carries alot of nitrates.

[@carlperry5932]

Poling would be useful

[@stevemorton9585]

Snorkel and mask please😎

[@robinandrhie]

Lol

[@DavidJones-ly9bh]

Where is all the wildlife..and were the pipes draining farm fields,?

[@thegatesofdawn...1386]

I was just wondering about those pipes as well.

[@davidsalo8397]

The pipes drain water from the reservoir, which is fed by springs.