Beginning at 6,200 feet in elevation, the Middle Fork Salmon spills through alpine forests and lofty mountains, past rolling grasslands fragrant with sagebrush, and into a towering granite gorge known as Impassable Canyon. Waterfalls and fern-fringed creeks adorn the banks of the Middle Fork, big horn sheep, elk, otter, and birds make their home on the river’s shores, and numerous hiking trails lead to Indian pictographs, rustic historic sites, and natural hot springs. Best of all, the Middle Fork features some of the West’s most exciting and abundant whitewater — over 100 rapids in 100 river miles. Not surprisingly, this is widely recognized as one of North America’s premium rafting destinations.
There are three distinct seasons on this legendary river, each delivering a unique experience. In May and June, the water flows big and fierce, rendering a high-action whitewater adventure with towering Class III rapids. In July and August, you’ll find warmer temperatures and tamer, yet consistently exciting Class III and IV whitewater. The late season’s low water during September and early October reveals Blue Ribbon trout fishing, and includes a scenic flight to the put—in.
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Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Take a scenic flight to the put-in at Indian Creek, where your boats and crew await you. (At certain water levels, you may be lucky enough to put in further upstream at Boundary Creek, which is accessed by ground shuttle.) After an informative safety talk and brief paddle raft/inflatable kayak instruction, take to the pure blue waters of the breathtaking Middle Fork. Within moments, you’ll experience your first rapid, an appropriate introduction to this river whose exciting, consistent whitewater doesn’t stop until its confluence with the Main Salmon.
The high-elevation put-in point awards you with fantastic alpine scenery, and you spend the first day among deep green forests, dramatic mountains, and crystal clear creeks that pour out of the woods and into the river. If possible, stop for an invigorating soak in a steaming natural hot spring…but not before braving big rapids like Velvet Falls and Ramshorn.
The first day generally sets the pace for the week on the river. Typically, you spend a few hours on the water in the morning, sometimes stopping for a great hike, a visit to a waterfall or an Indian pictograph, or a soak in a natural hot spring. Come lunchtime, pull over to a sandy beach and enjoy a delicious picnic. After feasting and relaxing on the beach (or perhaps swimming, a game of Frisbee, a nature walk…), get back in the boats for more exciting whitewater. Be sure to try your hand at the paddleboat and inflatable kayak! Mid- to late-afternoon, stop and make camp; you grab your bags and set up your tent while O.A.R.S. takes care of the kitchen and “living room” – camp chairs and the site for tonight’s campfire (if permitted). Before long you’ll be savoring pleasing hors d’oeuvres and the beverage of your choice – delicious as these refreshments are, they always taste better after a day on the river! Read, nap, or just sit back and laugh with friends and family as O.A.R.S. prepares dinner. After another satisfying feast, the evening is yours to spend however you wish. Maybe music, stories or jokes will bring you together tonight; maybe the popping of the fire, the whisper of the river and the clarity of the big, star-filled sky will encourage silent reflection on the amazing wilderness that is, for now, your home.
Days 2-5: Continuing down the river the next few days, you’ll see the scenery change from high mountains to gently rolling hills. Thick forests give way to miles of open grassland dotted with cool glades of pine. The views remain stunning and the whitewater action-packed. Huge rapids like Powerhouse and Pistol Creek are interspersed with less intense, yet still thrilling whitewater in the form of wave trains, chutes and drops. The journey downstream takes you to more hot springs, caves decorated with Sheepeater Indian pictographs, and magnificent Veil Falls, a unique waterfall that plummets freely into a natural amphitheatre from a high rock overhang.
Towards the end of the voyage, the Middle Fork rushes into Impassable Canyon, a narrow gorge that creates some of the most high-intensity and continuous whitewater of the trip. Paddle hard through Redside, Rubber and Hancock rapids, and enjoy the sudden spectacular change in scenery from wooded hills to the sheer granite walls and huge boulders of Impassable Canyon.
Day 6: Reach the take-out at the confluence with the Main Salmon. The journey has ended, but O.A.R.S. is sure that although you leave the river, the river will never leave you.
Notes
Special Departures: Wine on the River 6 Days: August 27 $2482 Combine river running with gourmet meals and premium wines presented by some of the West’s finest vintners
Middle Fork Salmon Hiker Special Trip 6 Days: September 9 $1982 An in-depth exploration of the Frank Church Wilderness by raft and on foot
Middle Fork Fishing Trips 4 Days: September 13, 21, 28 $1733 Take advantage of Blue Ribbon trout fishing on the Middle Fork with expert fishing guides and signature fishing rafts
Reservation Policy
A $450/person deposit is required at the time of reservation. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure.
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