Day 1:
Depart Lewiston at 7:30am for a charter flight to Halfway, OR. An appropriate introduction to the journey ahead, this flight offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the pathway through Hells Canyon, and is often considered a favorite highlight of the trip. From the landing strip, shuttle to the put-in point just below Hells Canyon Dam where colorful boats and your O.A.R.S. crew await. After an informative safety talk and brief paddle raft/inflatable kayak instruction, you’re off on a river adventure!
The first day generally sets the pace for the river trip. Typically, you spend a few hours on the water in the morning, sometimes stopping for a short hike, a swim, or a visit to Nez Perce pictographs or another historical site. Come lunchtime, pull over and enjoy a delicious picnic on the shores of the river. After feasting and relaxing (or perhaps swimming, a game of Frisbee or 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; perhaps 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. Day 2:
Your day begins with the morning light turning the canyon walls the colors of sunrise. Fresh coffee and tea are waiting for you when you get up; grab a cup, sit back and take in the glory of the awakening river. Soon breakfast is served – omelets made to order, blueberry pancakes, sizzling bacon, fresh fruit, toast, and juice are among the treats in which you’ll indulge. Once you’ve eaten your fill, you’ll pack up your things as the guides break down camp, then our new day’s adventure begins.
Today is an exciting whitewater day, culminating in two of Hells Canyon’s biggest rapids: Wild Sheep and Granite Creek. Anticipation builds as you stop at the top of each rapid, looking down at the thundering whitewater that awaits. Those brave enough to paddle the inflatable kayaks get some last-minute instruction before you challenge the big waves and drops, flying through the frothy rapids and coming out slightly wet (maybe very wet!) but elated.
As the roiling rapids give way to more gentle stretches, you may stop and hike up Granite Creek for your first viewing of Native American pictographs. Or, perhaps you’ll float down to Bernard Creek for a hike to McGaffee Cabin – a homestead preserved from the early 1900s – and panels of Indian pictographs.
This section of the Snake River offers excellent trout fishing. During periods of calmer water, or perhaps at lunch today, the anglers in the group will have some great opportunities to cast their line in deep, trout-packed pools. Days 3-4:
Whitewater action continues with big hits like Waterspout, Rush Creek, Somers, Tryon, Lookout, Haystack, Wild Goose and Deer head rapids – some of which are great for swimming!
A visit to Kirkwood Historic Ranch and Museum provides a taste of living history, exhibiting the lifestyle of Hells Canyon’s inhabitants in the 1930s. This is also the site of extensive historic and prehistoric Indian artifacts, which are displayed and interpreted in the Kirkwood Museum. This scenic ranch is a must-see on any Snake River trip. Further downstream, Pittsburgh Landing offers an even more fascinating look at the life of the early Native Americans in Hells Canyon. Lodge rings, petroglyphs, and other artifacts still remaining on the shore teach one more about the inhabitants who prospered for thousands of years along the Snake River.
This is the ending point of the three-day trip. After visiting Pittsburgh Landing, say your goodbyes, then those leaving will take a three-hour ride back to Lewiston; those staying on for the five-day trip will continue down the river. As the water becomes calmer, refocus your attention on the rocky canyon walls, looking for resident wildlife – including bear, deer, elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep – and marveling at the majestic beauty on such a grand scale as only Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America, can capture.
Hiking opportunities abound as you journey further down the river. Those looking for a challenging climb might have the chance to negotiate the steep but scenic trail to Suicide Point. Panels of Indian rock art are highlights of possible hikes to Temperance Creek and Deep Creek. The latter is also the site of a darker history; in 1887, 31 Chinese men were murdered here for their gold. Other interesting destinations for the avid to explore are Salt Creek and Coon Hollow. Day 5:
Breakfast today is as delicious and hearty as the first morning, but you are now much more accustomed to life in the wilderness. The thought of returning to “civilization” brings mixed emotions – sadness at leaving Hells Canyon and new friends, and perhaps excitement at the prospect of returning to creature comforts. The final day’s float brings you past the Snake’s confluence with three major rivers: the Imnaha, Salmon, and Grande Ronde. After the latter, you reach the take-out point at Heller Bar. A 45-minute shuttle ride brings you back to Lewiston, where you bid farewell to guides and fellow travelers. It doesn’t take long to realize that although you have left the river, the river will never leave you. |
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