Salmon River, Idaho, United States of America
A unique journey on the Middle Fork, Salmon River, Idaho
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho is a must for any white water river rafting adrenaline junky. Throughout the journey, you will drop a total of 3,000 feet over a distance of 105 miles. Your journey will be filled with over 100 rapids that range from grades three to four and you will take on roaring waters for up to five days.
Launching in Boundary Creek, you will be surrounded by forests and boulders, and put to the test by having to raft through careens. The river will take you into the wilderness of what is called the ‘River of No Return’ and you will be put to the survival test.
The views are ever changing, as lush forests give way to mountains almost completely covered with pine trees. Firs and spruce as far as the eye can see and transparent pools of water will allow you to study the rainbow and cutthroat trout. Your guide will definitely not keep you confined to your raft.
Due to the rich, cultural surroundings, rafts will often stop and take those on the trip to Pioneer Homesteads and Native American Pictographs. Reaching specific locations, you will learn more about each area and discover things you never knew.
Further down-river, you will enter places such as the Granite Mountains and the Impassable Canyon. Often stopping for hikes, you will be able to explore the Veil Falls, as well as Waterfall Creek. Furthermore, the natural hot springs make for a great soaking, as those muscles of yours will be aching.
The journey will come to an end with your arrival in Salmon, a small community of 3,300 people.
The trip is available from June through to September and the minimum age requirement is seven years. This age requirement goes up to 12 years when waters are high.
Idaho and the places that surround the Salmon Fork River are rich in history and you can extend your trip and explore the surrounding areas a little more.
Boise offers an art museum and is also home to the Idaho Historical Museum, as well as the Basque Museum and Cultural Centre.
In Salmon, you will find a load of history that will keep your mind pre-occupied for hours. About 30 miles southeast of Salmon, the Lewis and Clark expedition originally crossed the Lemhi Pass in 1805 and followed the river you will be taking on, through to Salmon. The famous Sacajawea, who accompanied Lewis and Clark, was born near Salmon in the Lemhi Valley. Salmon is today the home of the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Educational Centre and a visit will teach you even more.
In Stanley, however, you will find nothing more than a post office and some peace and quiet.
You can look forward to the Rocky Mountains, rough terrain and rapids, such as the Tappan and the Haystack, as well as a crash course in some of Idaho’s history. This makes the Middle Fork, Salmon River a must for any adventurer.
(Image by Flickr user Northwest Rafting Company)
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