Snake & Salmon Rivers, Idaho

[Explorer 1]

Taking a scouting trip next week to explore these rivers for a future white water canoe trip next year. We are considering the Snake, Salmon and the middle fork of the Salmon.

Anyone with any prior experience with these rivers out there?

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[GlobeExplore SS1TX]

Salmon ive heard has some nice areas, but i havent been to that river yet. Do you plan on rafting or kayaking?

 

[Justincredible]

I've never done the Snake in ID, but have gone rafting many times near Jackson, WY.
It's a lot of fun, but often crowded.

 

[Explorer 1]

Salmon ive heard has some nice areas, but i havent been to that river yet. Do you plan on rafting or kayaking?

We're going with open canoes.

Just came back from a three day refresher course on white water canoeing on the Middle Fork of the Kalmath River in Northern California near the Oregon border. Teachers were the guys at Canoe West. One of the teams were taking on the Salmon River trip are new to white water so we told them they had to attend. I along with my canoe partner decided to attend to refresh our skills and correct some bad habits we've aquired over time.

It was great having just the two canoes with two teachers. We even rolled twice trying some new skills in a couple of the rapids!

Here the "newbees" take a spill on a class II/III rapid. They really improved before the three days were finished.




We're on schedule to leave the last week in September for the Salmon river (Idaho). I pick up my new canoe early next month in Denver,

http://www.esquif.com/2008/canot_en.php?id=14


So for now, everything is on schedule.

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[Explorer 1]

Trip report

Here is a bit of a trip report on this adventure:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...e-trek-down-the-Salmon-River-Idaho?highlight=

Thanks,

Fred
Explorer 1

 

[susswein]

I've done all 3 in a cataraft and an inflatable kayak. The snake and main are more non-technical big water rivers, while the middle fork is extremely technical. I used to solo canoe (up to class III) and couldn't imagine running a tandem canoe down the middle fork at any flow. I'm sure it's been done, but you'd want a fully decked boat and a solid roll. Between the main and snake I much prefer the main. Fewer jetboats, more rapids, and better scenery than the snake. We're planning a pre-permit season trip on the main this year; contact me directly if you're interested.

Steve

 

[Explorer 1]

I've done all 3 in a cataraft and an inflatable kayak. The snake and main are more non-technical big water rivers, while the middle fork is extremely technical. I used to solo canoe (up to class III) and couldn't imagine running a tandem canoe down the middle fork at any flow. I'm sure it's been done, but you'd want a fully decked boat and a solid roll. Between the main and snake I much prefer the main. Fewer jetboats, more rapids, and better scenery than the snake. We're planning a pre-permit season trip on the main this year; contact me directly if you're interested.

Steve

Sorry steve,

But your a bit late, we ran the Main last Sept/Oct. The video above is us going through Black Creek Rapids, needless to say we were wet most of the river run. Fortunately, the weather was warmer the first part of the trip so paddleing wet most of the day wasn't a problem. Due to bad communication (my fault) we wrapped the canoe around the big rock in the middle if Devil teeth rapids, it took 3 hours and having to swim the rapids 5 times to finally free the canoe.

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1