Main Salmon River Rafting in Idaho
THE MAIN SALMON RIVER- IDAHO
Idaho’s rivers access some of the most pristine terrain in the country. They are home to abundant flora and fauna, an impressive network of hiking trails, and some of the country’s best whitewater. No river displays all these characteristics quite like the Main Salmon. The Main Salmon is the longest undammed river in the U.S., and also boasts the second deepest canyon. The Main Salmon offers free-flowing Class III whitewater that’s great for any age and experience level, big sandy beaches perfect for camping and playing, beautiful mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and natural hot springs are all hallmarks of the Main Salmon River. You will also meet 2-3 couples that live on the river year round and have wonderful stories to tell about living in the wilderness. Perhaps inappropriately dubbed the “River of No Return” by early river runners, the Salmon is in fact a river you’ll never want to return home.
Trips are 4 days of exciting river rafting, wilderness camping, fine fishing, and visiting historic home-steads along the way. Our equipment is specially designed for wilderness whitewater rafting, and offers mild and wild boat choices (oar boats, paddle boats, inflatable kayaks and stand up paddling surf boards!). We also bring along one or two 18’ wooden whitewater dories on most departures. Our river guides are seasoned professionals, licensed by the state of Idaho and First Aid Certified. They are expert river runners, magnificent cooks, great storytellers, and knowledgeable, helpful outdoorsmen.
Join Middle Fork River Expeditions for a magical wilderness river vacation this summer!
MEETING PLACE: Stagecoach Inn, Salmon, Idaho (flight is $190 from Boise)
MEETING TIME: 7:30 PM, the evening before your trip
RETURN PLACE & TIME: 10-11 am arrival at Boise Airport by Cessna Airplane from the river
RIVER RATING: Class I-III
RIVER MILES: 56 river miles
PUT-IN: Corn Creek
TAKE-OUT: Mackay Bar Ranch
AGE LIMIT: Minimum age is 5 (12 at high water)
TRIP LENGTH: 4 days
ITINERARY
Please arrive in Salmon, Idaho the night before the trip begins. Salmon is an hour flight from Boise, which costs approximately $190/person and can be arranged through Sawtooth Flying Service (800-798-6105). You can also fly to Missoula and drive 2 ½ hours to Salmon for the trip and we can then fly you back to Salmon after the trip to catch your flight out of Missoula. We have a pre-trip orientation at the Stagecoach Inn (208-756-2919) at 7:30pm the evening before the trip begins. We will get acquainted, answer questions, and have a short orientation to show you how to pack the waterproof gear bags we provide for your personal gear. Please note flight from Boise to Salmon and lodging at the Stagecoach Inn is arranged on your own. We will arrange all flights from Mackay Bar Ranch at the end of the trip.
DAYS 1 ~ 3
Upon launching our rafts at Corn Creek, 3200 feet above sea level, we journey into the pristine heart of the Frank Church Wilderness, each day brings new discoveries: exciting rapids like Salmon Falls, Big Mallard and Growler, historical sites such as Buckskin Bill’s homestead and Jim Moore’s place (maybe you’ll find the fortune he buried in the hillside!), and the much anticipated Barth Hot Springs. Avid hikers may enjoy a challenging climb to Rabbit Point, where the beautiful views are well worth the effort of getting there. The fishing is excellent during these days, and on trips in July and August, warm air and water temperatures encourage frequent refreshing dips in the river. Evenings find us relaxing by the campfire, playing horseshoes and listening to the river and watching for shooting stars!
DAY 4
We float for 5-6 miles this morning and take a 9-10am flight by Cessna 5-9 seater airplanes to the Boise or Salmon Airport. We need at least 3 riders to get a seat rate for each destination. We should arrive by 11:30am so schedule your flight after 2pm from Boise and after 5pm from Missoula. If you drove to Salmon for the meeting and did not drive we can fly you back to Salmon instead of Boise, just let us know. The cost for these flights are not included in the trip price.
Dates (same dates every year)
June 20-23
June 27- 30
July 5-8
July 13-16
July 21-24
July 29-August 1
August 6-9
August 14-17
August 22-25
August 30- Sept 2
Sept 7-10
Sept 12-15
Sept 19-22
COST
$1000 (Kids 5-11 get $200 discount)*
$1500 for Dory Lodge to Lodge Adventure*
* Day 4- $250 flight from Mackay Bar Ranch to Boise, or $200 flight Mackay Bar Ranch to Salmon. We need a minimum of 3 people for this seat rate, otherwise it will be more expensive.
* $4.00 per day FS Recreation Enhancement Act fee
* 3% Forest Service Fee
What’s Included
♦ ground transportation from Salmon, Idaho, to the river.
♦ meals from lunch Day 1 to Breakfast Day 4.
♦ expert leadership with seasoned professional river guides
♦ all camping equipment including 4-Man tents for 1-2 people & 3 dry bags, one for clothing, one for sleeping equipment and the other for smaller items to have access to during the day.
♦ rectangular sleeping bag, 2 pads (one 1” Ridgerest and one 1 ½” Therma-a rest), pillow
♦ rain gear tops and bottoms.
♦ wetsuits or various sizes for June and early July trips only.
♦ all commissary equipment for meals and camp.
♦ all rafting equipment, including oar boats, paddle raft, inflatable kayaks, drift and dory boats, and inflat-able stand up paddling boards (when river levels permit).
What’s Not
Transportation to/from Salmon, Idaho; Motel in Salmon for night before the trip; insurance (we strongly recommend you purchase Travelex trip insurance offered by Middle Fork River Expeditions, which in-cludes trip cancellation insurance); optional tipping to guides (10-15%+ of trip cost) depending on level of satisfaction. Flight on Day 4 is extra ($250 to Boise and $200 to Salmon.
Payments
Deposit: $500.00 per person, required for confirmed reservation.
Balance: Payable 120 days prior to launch date.
Cancellation Policy
Deposits and final payments are refundable (less $150.00 service charge per person) if written notice is received 120 days prior to your departure date. With less than 120 days notice your monies are nonre-fundable. If Middle Fork River Expeditions must cancel a trip due to water levels, weather conditions, wildfires or other circumstances, your payment will be forwarded to a future date and not refunded. Cus-tom trips and groups of ten or more have a separate payment and cancellation policy.
Travel to Salmon, Idaho
There is commercial air service to Boise, Idaho. You can then fly (1 hour) to Salmon, Idaho, where our trips begins.
Flight Boise to Salmon: Sawtooth Flying Services- 800-798-6105 or 208-342-7888. The cost is ~$200 Boise/Salmon per person one way.
Driving Option: You can also drive to Salmon (6 hours from Boise or 3 hours from Missoula) we can fly you back to Salmon.
* Please note we will provide transportation from Salmon to the river put-in point on Day 1 and from Mackay Bar Ranch to the Boise Airport or to Salmon on Day 4.
Lodging
Lodging is needed before your trip. We recommend:
Pre trip lodging – the Stage Coach Inn, Salmon, Idaho (208-756-2919) the day before your trip.
Please call them directly after you decide on a trip date or call us for help.
Orientation
Plan to arrive in Salmon, Idaho by early evening the day before your trip for our 7:30pm meeting at the Stagecoach Inn. We will get acquainted and answer questions, and have a short orientation to show you how to pack the waterproof bags (one large for sleeping kit, one for camp clothes and one small one for on-river gear) we provide for your personal gear.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Expert Leaders
Middle Fork River Expeditions attracts gifted guides for whom leading trips is their passion. Middle Fork River Expeditions guides positively elevate your experience by being educators, companions, and the best of friends. Most MFRE guides have 10 or more years experience on rivers and all are First Aid Certified and licensed by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board.
Boats & Rapids
The Middle Salmon rapids are rated 1 to 3 on a scale of 1 to 6. You’ll run these rapids with the aid of ex-perienced, professional, licensed guides. Most guests ride in our oar powered self-bailing rafts. For the more adventurous we run a paddle boat, no experience required as your boatman steers at the stern while you and your newfound friends paddle. And when water levels permit (usually in July and August only) you can try out our single or 2 man inflatable kayaks. This year we are bringing along an inflatable stand up paddle board to try around camp and in some of the flatwater sections. We bring on some departures a wooden dory and also a fishing drift boat. We will rotate in/out of all boat types throughout the trip. Of course the Stand Up Paddle Board is optional!
River Requirements: Minimum age is 12 in June, and 5 in July and August. Please note, all participants must be able to swim, be in good physical shape and be able to self rescue.
Hiking & Hot Springs
There is plenty of time and numerous opportunities to hike during your trip. Among the river’s points of interest are the Golden Eagles nestled in the ledges above Little Squaw Creek; Barth Hot Springs where the early scow captains soaked their tired muscles; Campbells Ferry Pack Bridge; Jim Moore’s Place an early day prospector and trader; Lemhi China Bar where from 1882 to 1884 oriental miners worked this bar extensively and Five Mile Bar the home of the river’s most famous resident, “Buckskin Bill”.
Fishing
The Main Salmon has some great fishing opportunities. Fishing is for Cutthroat Trout, Rainbows and Small Mouth Bass. An Idaho State fishing license is required and may be purchased in Salmon, Idaho before the trip. Kids 14 and under can fish without a license. Spinners or Fly Rods work. It is not catch and release so we can eat the fish if you wish.
Camping
This is one of the best parts of the trip, to be lullabied to sleep by the sound of the river. We provide all camping gear for you, including sleeping bag, 2 pads, pillow, 4-man tent, rain gear tops and bottoms and all camp equipment. In the evening, we set up a camp and have chairs to relax in for meals. We bring along a wilderness porta-potty and place it in a private place with stunning views. We practice Leave No Trace camping ethics, so you are sure to learn a lot about this on the trip and be able to take some of these new skills home with you. The Main Salmon is a very pristine river and there is no bathing allowed in the river and must be done above the high water mark with biodegradable soap. We do bring along a cou-ple of sun showers for you to use if you wish.
Food
We provide healthy and delicious meals, accompanied with lots of salads, fresh fruits and vegetables. We also use as much organic produce/products as is available in central Idaho. Our goal is to have you eat healthy meals so that you feel good and refreshed during the day with lots of energy for fun in this remote wilderness setting. If you would like a copy of our menu please call us. Vegetarian’s welcome and meat eaters alike! There are also always snacks available during the day.
Lodge to Lodge Trip Accommodations
River of No Return Lodge – Built in the mid-1980s, the River of No Return Lodge is located 18 miles below Corn creek on the Main Salmon River at Smith Gulch. The lodge offers accommodations to guests participating in various activities on the river including steelhead fishing, rafting, and hunting. Each cabin has a shower in the bathroom and the rooms have comfortable beds (no bunks). Propane heaters keep the cabins warm and cozy. The lodge does not have electricity—light is supplied by propane lamps, so be prepared to have a flashlight handy at night when the lights go out. The main lodge is very spacious and comfortable with large sectional couches and books on history to enjoy while relaxing. The dining area is very rustic with a large dining table that seats sixteen guests and a smaller round table that seats eight—great for cards after dinner! Also located at the lodge is the historically registered Blacky Foster Cabin. Built in the mid 1900s this cabin is also known as the Johnny Briggs cabin and was lived in year-round for hunting, trapping, fishing, and mining.
Whitewater Ranch -Located 21 miles downstream from River of No Return Lodge, Whitewater Ranch on Little Mallard Creek was homesteaded in the early 1900s by Eugene Churchill. The ranch has a turn of the century Pelton wheel hydroelectric plant, which generates power for the facility. In some very dry years, Little Mallard Creek may not supply sufficient water to operate the plant, but we normally expect to have electricity when we stay here. There is a dining lodge with several rooms and a bath on the se-cond level. Two modern cabins with two sleeping rooms and a shared bath in each cabin are part of the accommodations. The original two-story homestead cabin is also available for guests. Guests of the same gender can expect to share rooms in separate beds.
China Bar Lodge
This lodge is located on China Bar at the mouth of beautiful Lemhi Creek. It is clean and rustic with a “tree house” feel about it. Delicious family style meals are served in the main lodge or on the deck
overlooking the Salmon River. The lodge does not have inside flush toilets for environmental reasons. Bathroom facilities are outhouses. There is a shower in each cabin and a porta potty for use indoors dur-ing the night. There are two cabins, each with two bedrooms, which accommodate four guests on cot – style beds with comfy foam pads, sleeping bags, and liners. The living area in each cabin also accommo-dates guests, although according to owner Mike McLean, many folks elect to take their cots outside to sleep under the stars.
Mackay Bar Lodge
This ranch is near the mouth of the South Fork River on the Main Salmon. Mackay Bar Ranch has some of the most modern facilities in the canyon. Electricity is provided by hydroelectric with a back-up pro-pane generator. Couples can expect a private room with private bath. Large groups with single partici-pants may expect to share a room with same-gender companions. There is a main lodge for dining and relaxation. Facilities range from motel-type rooms with private baths to cabins with a queen bed and three singles. All have private baths.
Weather
Idaho weather can be variable and vigorous. So come prepared with warm and cold weather clothing. There is no such thing as bad weather if you bring the right clothing. Synthetics are best for layering and keeping you warm in all weather conditions. Weather during the daytime is 75-95F and evenings 40-60F, depending on the weather. All June and Sept trips are typically cooler at night and you must bring warm gloves, ski hat and long underwear synthetic bottoms.
We Supply
• Large rectangular Sleeping bag (rated 20F)
• Thermarest sleeping pad and Ridgerest Pad- ~2” total
• Pillow
• Raingear (jacket and pants)
• 3 Dry Bags (1 for sleep kit, 1 for evening gear, 1 small for daytime gear)
• Kelty Gunnison 4.1 Tents (4 man tents for 1-2 people)
• Farmer John Wetsuit (when needed in June and July)
• Life Jacket (Type V)
• Helmet (Only for Inflatable Kayaks, Paddle Raft and Stand Up Paddle Board)
• All Water Craft and Commissary Equipment
• MFRE Mug and MFRE Water Bottle with carabiner – a gift for you!
You Bring
• Towel or Sarong (good for sun and cooling off as well as easy to change clothes)
• Personal toiletry items
• Biodegradable soap (no soaping up in the river is allowed)
• Sunscreen lotion and Chapstick
• Sunglasses with retainer
• Sun hat
• Bathing suit
• Socks – 3 pair (1 wool, 1 cotton, 1 hiking)
• T-shirts – 2 (one cotton for evenings and one silk or lightweight wool for daytime- Icebreaker makes an excellent wool t-shirt)
• Long sleeved shirts – 2 (one cotton for evenings and one sunshirt for daytime)
• Long pants – 1 (Jeans for evening)
• Shorts – 2 (one cotton for evenings and one synthetic for daytime)
• Underwear – assorted (cotton and silk)
• Jacket – Puff Ball or other medium loft
• Lightweight Fleece or sweater
• Shoes – one pair for camp & hiking
• Shoes – one pair for daytime (Tekstra or Keens with toe coverage is good)
• Shoes- Flip Flops (optional- for drying out feet at camp)
• Fishing gear (rod in sturdy hard case)
• Fishing license (only if your fishing)
• Camera and spare battery
• Flashlight or headlamp (way better for getting into dry bags at night!)
• Ziplock bags – handy for small items or to isolate wet articles from rest of gear (optional)
• Olay face wipes or other brand for cleaning face (optional)
• May/June & Sept/Oct trips- bring a ski hat and camp gloves, 2 pairs of Long Johns tops and bottoms. We provide neoprene socks and gloves for you.
