Salmon River Canyons, 5 days, 73 miles

The Day Before
Travel to Lewiston, Idaho.  The Hells Canyon Grand Hotel is the hotel we use, they offer our guest a great discount, although other hotels can be arranged.    You will receive a pre -trip orientation packet, all the last minute questions- answered!   You will have a chance to ask any last minute questions, we are here. Dinner is on your own.

Day 1
Breakfast is at the hotel. A representative from HCR will meet you at 7:00AM Mountain Time, at The Hells Canyon Grand Hotel. Watertight bags and containers will be distributed. After breakfast we depart from the hotel by 8:00AM to the launch site. Plan for a 2 hour shuttle drive to the put-in. The guides have the boats ready to go.  After a short safety orientation we finish strapping down our gear and launch for the trip of a lifetime.  The day is spent running rapids, lunch on the beach, and starting our “River Time.” There is time for fishing from the boats, at lunch, and also when we arrive at camp.  We bring all the gear to fish with.

Each day we stop for a riverside lunch break around noon.  This is a great time to get to know the other guides and guests, fish a little, and usually we take a short hike.  Soon after, the river enters “Green Canyon” there are exciting rapids like Wright Way Drop and Demon’s Drop. We stop for lunch on a big beach, perfect for swimming and beach games. The afternoon has a few more rapids, perfect for stand up paddle boards, peaceful drifting and the chance of seeing soaring eagles.

We arrive in camp around 4-5:00.  You walk up into camp to find your tents set and your gear bags packed up.  For the kids and kids at heart we will have beach games, swimming from the beach or build a sand castle.  For the adults there is time for relaxing, hiking, fishing, or reading a book from our River Library.

Hors d’ oeuvres are served around 6ish, and dinner around 7:30.  After dinner and a Dutch Oven desert there is time around the campfire to tell stories of conquered rapids, fish tails or roasting s’mores.  The stars start to appear, inviting conversations with old and new friends.  Soon it is time to wander off to your tent and bed.

Day 2
You arise to the aroma of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon. Breakfast is served around 7:30 or 8:00.  While the guides clean up the kitchen and other gear there is time to pack your personal gear.  We will come around and take down your tents, as they are cleaned out.  We usually get on the river about the same time the sun peaks over the canyon rim.  It is about 9:30 before we see sun on the water.  Today we run through ”Cougar Canyon”.  There are some fantastic beaches and more exciting whitewater

The beaches in this area are great for setting up a raft water slide.  Everyone joins in the fun.

By now you have a true grasp of “River Time.”  There will be more time for playing on the beach, hanging out in the shade, followed by another evening of laughter echoing off the canyon wall

Day 3
Today after breakfast you pack your personal gear we hit the river.  Soon after we start into “Snow Hole Canyon”.  The first rapid is a class III/IV rapid named after the canyon.  A quick scout provides a view of the excitement to come, and a chance for the paddle boat and kayakers to receive last minute instructions. We will also explore a classic stone Chinese miner’s house.  During the late 1800’s there were many Chinese miners calling the Salmon River their home; sometimes spending a year or more without leaving the canyon.

After lunch we cruise start into the oxbow of the river.  This is a great time to try out the inflatable kayaks before we get to China Rapids.  We arrive in camp around 4:30. Our camp tonight is on a huge white sand beach in the Billy Creek area.  River Billy was a Nez Perce Indian that called this area home.  Chief Joseph and his followers forded the Salmon River below the mouth of this creek while fleeing the U.S. Army after the battle at White Bird.

The big flat beach is great for beach games.  We set up a volleyball net, play beach bocce, or horse shoes.  The guides have an endless supply of games they can pull out.  You could also summit one of the many peaks around the area for an amazing panoramic view.

After a sumptuous healthy dinner, and Dutch Oven desert revel around the camp fire about rapids run, huge fish caught, and stories from the day.  Sleep out under the stars.  Each tent has a tarp spread out in front.  You can pull your pad out for all night or just for a little while.  There’s nothing like watching the stars with kids.

Day 4
During the morning float there are some great smaller rapids for the kayaks, and stand up paddle boards to try.  There are some great spots for fishing, and spotting birds of prey circling above the canyon rim.

Lunch is just above “Blue Canyon”, named for the bluish/black tone of the igneous rock that forms the dramatic landscape. Here the river is forced into a narrower channel with several rapids in a row.  At the end of Blue Canyon we arrive at the impressive confluence of the Salmon and Snake Rivers.

At the end of Blue Canyon we arrive at the impressive confluence of the Salmon and Snake Rivers.   We camp close to the confluence.  Sleep out under the stars.  Each tent has a tarp spread out in front.  You can pull your pad out for all night or just for a little while.  There’s nothing like watching the stars with kids.

Day 5
The river still has more to share.  There are small rapids, and some amazing scenery as we enter Hells Canyon on the Snake River.  The canyon opens up to grassy mountainsides.  Watch for Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep, and reflect on the journey that is coming to an end.  Depending on the river flow we may join the rafts together and use a small quiet outboard motor to cover some of today’s miles.

We stop on a beach for our final lunch, and group photos.  Email addresses are exchanged for sharing photos.  Plans are made for a reunion trip next season.  A few more miles and we arrive at Heller Bar, our take out.  We say our good byes.

It’s a quick 45 minute ride back to Lewiston.  Time for a hot shower, and some and a change of clothes.  Most all guests will plan to fly out the next morning.  If you are flying out of Lewiston there is a free shuttle to the airport.  If your flight is out of Spokane it is two hours drive from Lewiston.  If you had your vehicle shuttled from Cambridge to Lewiston, it will be waiting in the hotel parking lot.