Fly into Boise, Idaho today and take a scheduled charter to Salmon, Idaho. Tonight there's a pre-trip briefing where you will get acquainted with your guides who will answer questions, and have a short orientation to show you how to pack the waterproof gear bags that are provided for your personal gear.
You meet at 7:30am at the Stagecoach Inn for a 2-hour bus ride to the Corn Creek, the put-in for the Main Stem of the Salmon River. You will stop after 45 minutes for a bathroom break and any last minute items at the North Fork Store. Upon launching the rafts at Corn Creek you journey into the pristine heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area.
You will encounter Killum, Gun Barrel and Alder rapids today, which are all fun class III wave trains. This river calls to adventure seekers, who can choose between the paddle raft, inflatable kayaks or stand-up paddleboards. Or you can ride comfortably on an oar raft known as the “Queen of Sheeba Couch” and take in the scenery. The fishing is excellent for novice and experienced anglers alike. The warm air and water temperatures encourage frequent refreshing dips in the river and in calm sections even floating next to the rafts. Evenings will be filled with delicious dutch oven delights, relaxing by the campfire, playing horseshoes, listening to the guides sing and play guitar and watching for shooting stars.
Each day brings new discoveries: exciting rapids like Black Creek, Bailey, 5 Mile, Split Rock, Big Mallard, Elkhorn and Growler rapids, historical sites such as Buckskin Bill’s homestead and Jim Moore’s place (maybe you’ll find the fortune he buried in the hillside!), and the much anticipated Barth Hot Springs. Visit Barth Hot Springs, known as the best hot spring in the Pacific Northwest.
You may like to stop and visit with several families that live along the river year round and they will share their stories of living “off the grid” in the wilderness and take us on a tour of their homesteads. Visit with Sue and Greg Metz at Yellow Pine homestead, Doug and Phyllis Tims at Campbells Ferry homestead and Five Mile Bar, the home of the river's most famous resident "Buckskin Bill". There are abundant hiking options up many of the side drainages. Hike up Indian Creek to visit very rare 2,000 year old Yew trees, also called the immortal tree, which the Plains Native Americans used to make longbows from the wood. Hikes up Chamberlain or Bargamin Creeks give you another perspective of the river or hike up to Rabbit Point for amazing views.
Another great day on the river.
Another great day on the river.
On your final day you will get off the river and drive back to Salmon, Idaho. You can opt to spend a night in Salmon or fly back to Boise to start your journey home.
