Idaho (Middle Fork and Main Salmon River)
A river of superlatives, the Middle Fork is famous white water, breathtaking Rocky Mountain Scenery, unsurpassed wilderness camping, abundant wildlife, perhaps the finest fishing in the western states, and then we can begin to talk about the river itself, The Middle Fork.
Our six-day adventure package trips take us through isolated and varied terrain. From Aspen clad forest to Ponderosa Pine lined canyons, we float through the largest federally protected wilderness in the continental United States, a wilderness abundant in wildlife and rich in history. Along the way we run exhilarating rapids, hike spectacular trails and soak in natural hot springs.
From the put in point near Stanley in central Idaho, the Middle Fork flows north dropping and turning for one hundred miles to the confluence of the Main Salmon. We travel from steep, pine clad forest and alpine terrain to rolling grasslands, then through Impassable Canyon, a narrow gorge of towering cliffs and waterfalls. One of the original Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Middle Fork grows from a mountain stream into a big volume wave slashed river as numerous side streams add their flow.
The Middle Fork is challenging and a great trip at any time during the summer months. Early season trips have the biggest, most challenging white water. Later on, the weather is best and the fishing superb. Most of our scheduled trips are six days long.
2007 Middle Fork Dates:
- June 3, 12, 21, 30
- July 8, 16, 24
- August 1, 9, 17, 25
- September 2 - Special Fly Fishing Trip
Middle Fork Trip Notes
- Arrive Boise around noon the day before trip departs.
- Fly via Salmon Air Taxi to Stanley, Idaho. Approximate cost $105.
- You will stay in Stanley at the Mountain Village Lodge the first evening at your expense. Your River Guides will meet with you that evening at the Lodge.
The next morning we drive up to our put-in-point about 2 hours from Stanley. - We raft approximately 106 miles, camp five nights on one of the wildest and most scenic rivers in North America.
- On the sixth day, we will transport you from our take-out-point to Salmon Idaho where we fly you back to Boise. We usually get back to Boise after 6 p.m.
- Most people stay at the Holiday Inn near the Airport the last evening before flying home that next morning.
- We provide tents, sleeping bags, waterproof bags, and sleeping pads. You just bring your clothes!
- Special fly-fishing trip on September 2. Maximum of 12 guests with only 2 guests per boat with a guide.
Price: $1795/adult; $1595/children 16 and under; plus Park Service fees and local taxes
Main - Salmon River
To float Idaho's Salmon River is to journey to America's past. Protected by Congressional decree, the river corridor preserves reminders of the canyon's earliest human inhabitants, ancestors if the Nez Perce and Shoshoni people, and relics of later settlement by homesteaders miners, ranchers and occasional hermits. Those who came chose well. The canyon is the second deepest in North America and virtually inaccessible except by boat, and then only those willing to confront stretches of white water and rapids of consequence. In 1805, Captain Lewis opted for a more circuitous route west, rather than risk the expedition he jointly commanded with Mr. Clark to the perils of the Salmon. Our trip traverses the largest federally designated wilderness in the Continental United States, a primitive, isolated land of deep forests sparkling water, sandy beaches and towering canyon walls. This is home to an abundant wildlife population that includes black bear, mountain goat, Big Horn Sheep, Moose. eagles, elk and lion. Only Alaska has wilderness that is comparable.
We float the Salmon using rugged inflatable rafts piloted by skilled guides licensed by the State of Idaho. Rapids are interspersed with calm stretches, our pace leisurely, with time to hike side trails, explore abandoned homesteads or just relax on the sandy beaches. Our Salmon trips are carefully structured vacations suitable for anyone in good health. Most are six days long, and some are designated family adventure trips where families have the "right of way" on these designated trip dates.
2007 Main Salmon Adventure Dates:
- June 12, 20, 28
- July 6, 14, 22, and 30 (Special Family Adventure Trips)
- August 7, 15 (Special Family Adventure Trips), 23, 31
Main Salmon Adventure Trip Notes
- Arrive Boise by noon the day before trip departs.
- Fly via Salmon Aire Taxi to Salmon, Idaho. Approximate cost $106.
- You will stay at the Stage Coach Inn that first evening at your expense.
- We provide tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and waterproof bags. You just bring your clothes!
- Guides meet with you the evening you arrive in Salmon at the Stage Coach Inn.
- The next morning we drive you to the put-in point about 2 hours from Salmon.
- We raft approximately 90 miles, camp 5 nights, through the second deepest canyon in North America on one of the wildest and most scenic rivers in North America.
- On the sixth day, we will transport you from the river to McCall Idaho where we fly you back to Boise. You will usually arrive back in Boise after 6 pm.
- Most people stay at the Holiday Inn near the Airport the last evening before flying home that next morning.
- We provide tents, sleeping bags, and waterproof bags. You just bring your clothes! S
- Special Family Adventure dates are July 6, 14, 22, 30, and August 7, 15. Special family trip pricing, adults $1295 and children 14 and under for only $795. Plus tax and a forest service fee of $30 per person. Trip deposit is $575. Book your adventure today!
Price: $1395/adults; $895/children, 16 and under; plus Forest Service fees and local taxes.
The river trip portion of the trip is operated by an Idaho outfitter permitted by the State of Idaho and the US Forest Service.
