In Hells Canyon everything is big! Big mountains, big whitewater, big adventure! Rising nearly 8,000 feet from the Snake River to the summit of He Devil Mountain, the canyon is North America’s deepest. Majestic views of towering canyon walls and colorful hillsides provide an awesome backdrop to the intensely powerful Snake River.
Local Nez Perce Native American legend depicts “Coyote” digging Hells Canyon with a big stick to protect their ancestors in Oregon’s Blue Mountains from the Seven Devils across the canyon in Idaho. Aboriginal inhabitants of the canyon have left much behind for present-day adventurers to discover. Ancient Indian burial mounds, rock petroglyphs and pictographs, and rock shelters evidence a variety of cultures dating nearly 10,000 years. More recently, westward moving pioneers entered Hells Canyon and homesteaders soon followed to settle along the river and in side canyons. Remains from the settlers include pit dwellings from the Chinese and historic cabins from the more recent inhabitants of the canyon.
Also legendary in Hells Canyon is the heart-pounding whitewater. A rafting expedition down the mighty Snake River will lead you through a series of powerful Class III and IV rapids. Your adrenaline will be pumping as you approach the thunderous roar of rapids such as Wild Sheep, Granite, Waterspout and Rush Creek. Fortunately, there is time between the rapids to enjoy the magnificence of your surroundings. The canyon teems with wildlife such as black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, elk, mule deer, beaver, otter and cougar. Birdwatchers can spot eagles, hawks, heron, partridge, chukar and more.
When the whitewater excitement has ended for the day, pull into your luxurious camp along the river. The kitchen, dining area, “bedrooms”, and toilet facilities will already be set up, meaning your only responsibility is to enjoy yourself. You will have ample time to explore the area on foot, to fish for smallmouth bass, trout and sturgeon, or to just relax after your thrilling day on the Snake. Soon hors d’oeuvres will be served and shortly thereafter you’ll enjoy a delicious gourmet dinner. Evenings end with good friends alongside a campfire and under the thousands of stars that can be seen each night in clear Idaho skies.
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Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Snake River in Hells Canyon Meet at the Little Salmon Lodge at 6:00am for a 6:30am departure. After a three-hour drive along several reservoirs, you arrive at Hells Canyon Dam and prepare to begin the river adventure.
The first day starts off with a bang with several Class II and III rapids before lunch. After lunch, reach the first of two major Class IVs - Wild Sheep Rapids. You'll scout the rapid before running it, and repeat the process at Granite Rapid just a mile downstream. After Granite, drift downstream to camp, arriving in the late afternoon. The camp is already set up, which means your only job is to enjoy the surroundings. You can swim, play bocci ball, hike, fish, or just relax in camp. Each evening, Northwest Voyageurs prepares a fine gourmet meal in a well-stocked river kitchen, including fresh baked breads and dessert.
After falling asleep under an amazing Idaho starlit sky, you will wake up to the wonderful aroma of fresh perked coffee.
Days 2-4: These days have the same general flow as Day 1, stocked with awesome whitewater, calm swimming pools, interesting history, great food, and fun. Soon enough, you will start slipping into what Northwest Voyageurs calls ... river time. No clocks, no cell phones, no computers, just you and all the time in the world. On the morning of Day 3, you'll take an optional hike around Suicide Point, a one-mile trail offering spectacular vistas of the canyon and serpentine river.
For those participating in the three-day trip, you will be met at Pittsburg Landing at 3:00pm on Day 3 and return to the Little Salmon Lodge. Those participating in the five-day trip will continue floating downstream.
Final Day: Guests typically arrive back to civilization around 2:00, and the boats are quickly loaded and you head back to the lodge. You can expect to arrive to the lodge around 6:00pm. To top off the trip, most people choose to spend their last night at the Little Salmon Lodge.
Notes
Getting Here: Most participants fly into Boise and drive to Pollock (about three hours) the day before their trip. Consider staying at the Little Salmon Lodge for convenient lodging and excellent food.
Pre-Trip Orientation: Whether you stay with Northwest Voyageurs or somewhere else, the night before your trip, join Northwest a the Little Salmon Lodge for your pre-trip orientation. At this optional get together, you will get to know your guides, other adventurers, learn how to properly pack your bags, and chat about any last-minute trip questions you may have. The pre-trip orientation is typically around 7:00pm.
Note for making departing flights after the trip: Please do not schedule any departing flights for the last day of the river trip. Most people prefer to spend this last night at the lodge and drive to Boise in the morning to catch an early afternoon flight. If you must catch a morning flight, you will most likely prefer to drive to Boise on the last night of the trip and expect to arrive in Boise around 9:00-10:00pm. Call if you have any questions about appropriate flight times.
Reservation Policy
A per person non-refundable deposit of $400 for multi-day trips, $100 for overnight trips, and $25 for day trips is required to confirm your reservation. A deposit of $25 per lodge room, per night is also required. The full balance is due 90 days prior to your trip for multi-day trips and 60 days prior to your trip for day trips and lodge reservations. If your trip is booked less that 60 days in advance, full payment is required at the time of reservation.
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