Middle Fork River Expeditions
 
Middle Fork River Expeditions

The River Company

April 17th, 2013

Canyons River Company is one of the few Middle Fork outfitters based out of beautiful McCall, Idaho. Canyons was founded in 1985 by white water legend, Les Bechdel, and in 2010 the outfit was passed on to Greg Mcfadden, a long time Canyons boatman. Bechdel’s history of first descents, international kayaking championships, and publications about river safety, has shaped Canyons River Company into one of the industry’s most trusted  destination kayaking outfitters. Aside from sharing all the magic that the Frank Church Wilderness and Middle Fork has to offer, Canyons guides are known for their paddling expertise.

Along with Middle Fork River Expeditions, Canyons River Company is one of the few Idaho outfitters offering an extended 11-12 day Middle / Main Salmon River combo trip; a great experience for those who need the full Salmon River corridor meal deal. If you can’t make it onto one of MFRE’s launch dates, Canyons River Company is an exceptional alternative.

See you in the Middle,

Sparrow

Far and Away Adventures

March 23rd, 2013

Far and Away Adventures, a Middle Fork outfitter based out of the Wood River Valley, has created their own commercial river trip philosophy. “Glamping”, (glamor camping) is the niche that they intend to fill; Far and Away Adventures is the only Middle Fork outfitter that utilizes two gear sweeps for hauling their five star hotel down the river. Not only does Far and Away Adventures expose their guests to all of the magic and excitement that the Frank Church Wilderness has to offer, they do it with fresh linens every night, crystal stem wear and everything short of mints on the pillow. If your looking for a “glamping” experience on the Middle Fork, and just cant seem to find a seat on one of MFRE’s boats, call Far and Away Adventures for a one of a kind river trip.

See you in the Middle,

Sparrow

Adventure Sun Valley

March 18th, 2013

Adventure Sun Valley is a Middle Fork outfitter who has been operating in the Frank Church for over 20 years. Owner and outfitter, Brad Frei, offers a wonderful trip through the corridor, rivaling with other companies offering the upper end of “pampered camping” experiences. Guests who float with Adventure Sun Valley enjoy all the beauty and excitement of the Middle Fork, plus some luxury perks. Like most Middle Fork outfitters, Adventure Sun Valley Customizes a variety of trips for folks with specific desires; fly fishing, hiking, hot springing, row your own raft, you name it, Adventure Sun Valley is waiting to make your trip a memorable one.

If for Some reason you and your family can’t find your way onto an MFRE trip, Adventure Sun Valley is a great alternative. Adventure Sun Valley will go the extra mile to ensure your comfort and pleasure.

See you in the Middle,

Sparrow

Adventure Guides

March 15th, 2013

“Because everyone needs a little adventure in their life.” Adventure Guides, also a Lower Stanley based company, is a great choice for those interested in a “luxury adventure experience in the wilderness”. Adventure Guides is run mostly by Idaho locals who hail from Twin Falls and surrounding areas. Owner, outfitter and guide, Dirk Gibson, spent many years guiding on the Middle Fork before starting his own company. Rumor has it, he used to run MFRE’s sweep back in the day. Adventure Guides is a first class outfit. They focus on keeping folks cozy, while opening the door to all the excitement and adventure that the river has to offer. Rafting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, you name it-just say the word and Adventure Guides will have a custom trip that suits your desires.

On top of it all, Adventure Guides is the only outfit on the river offering a hike in fly fishing trip down Big Creek, to the confluence with the Middle Fork; a great option for those who need a little variation in their wilderness experience. If your plans don’t match with an MFRE launch, you can count on Dirk and his Adventure Guides for a memorable time on the water.

See you in the Middle… Sparrow

Middle Fork Rapid Transit

March 14th, 2013

Middle Fork Rapid Transit is a great family run outfit based out of lower Stanley, Idaho. Middle Fork Rapid Transit trips feature a variety of activity while in the river corridor, offering white water rafting, fishing, hiking, hot springs, historical and natural interpretation of the region, and all around family fun. Middle Fork Rapid Transit offers inflatable kayaks for folks that need a little excitement in their day, or guests can just relax on the raft while a professionally licensed guide rows you down the river. A day spent on the paddle raft is also a great option for those who enjoy a team building or family bonding experience. While floating down the river with Middle Fork Rapid Transit it’s not rare to see bear and big horn sheep along the river’s edge. At camp, guests can partake in extraordinary culinary delight prepared on the open fire and in Dutch ovens.

Middle Fork Rapid Transit has been operating in the Salmon River corridor since 1980. Over the years, each of the four Porter Family sons helped make Middle Fork Rapid Transit a highly respected and successful outfitter. The guides at Middle Fork Rapid Transit are veteran river runners, some who have been guiding on the Middle Fork for over 20 years. If for some reason an MFRE launch date doesn’t correspond with you and your family’s plans, give the Porter Family a call; they’ll take good care of you.

See you in the Middle,

Sparrow

Mountain Travel Sobek

March 13th, 2013

The Egyptian God Sobek was believed to control the waters of the Nile River. He was depicted as a man with the head of a crocodile, and was worshiped to ensure fertility for crops and mankind. The waters of the Nile were filled with crocodiles and feared by most, so it made sense to appease them through the worship of their leader. According to legend, Sobek was a fourfold deity representing the four elemental gods: Rha of fire, Shu of air, Geb of earth and Osiris of water.

During the early 70’s, John Yost and Richard Bangs co-founded Sobek Expeditions, the first multinational rafting business. The name most likely came from the close encounters with crocs they experienced while running exploratory trips on the Nile and Zambezi in Africa. Sobek would later be recognized as the leader in commercial exploratory rafting adventures around the globe; claiming to have bagged around 35 international first descents including the Bio Bio in Chile, and the Yangze in China.

In the early 1990’s, Sobek merged with Mt. Travel to become Mountain Travel Sobek, still recognized as a leader in international adventure and eco-travel. Mt. Travel Sobek has expanded their focus away from solely running river trips, to offer an array of sea kayaking, trekking, and other cultural experiences. It makes perfect sense that a company like Mt. Travel Sobek would be savvy to the world’s most renowned rivers, explaining why they offer trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. In 1999, Mt Travel Sobek started operating in the Frank Church Wilderness, and continues to run quality wilderness river trips through the Middle Fork corridor. Rest assured your in good hands with Sobek if MFRE’s launch dates don’t correspond with your plans; these guys have been outfitting this class of adventure longer than most.

Sparrow

Helfrich

March 11th, 2013

If there is one legacy that is remembered and kept alive on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, it is that of the Helfrich family. Back in 1925, Prince Helfrich and his canyon comrades were the first to run a commercial trip down the Middle Fork. Helfrich launched their fleet of Mckenzie River drift boats at the head waters in Bear Valley Creek. After rowing 20 miles of technical whitewater, the boys would spend a long day portaging their wooden boats around Dagger Falls. At the time, they probably had no idea they were starting a legacy for what would later be remembered as the premiere wilderness river trip in the lower 48. Helfrich and company had many intentions while embarking on this daunting endeavor, and catching fish came first and foremost.

The Helfrich legacy has been passed down through four generations on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, and is owner and outfitter to three commercial launches separately run by different family members. Helfrich continues to offer exclusive fly fishing trips run only by the most skilled drift boat guides, many who still choose to run traditional Mckenzie wood boats. Planning a trip with Helfrich is a great idea if your plans don’t match with MFRE, and your looking for a first class fly fishing trip on the Middle Fork.

Join MFRE on the Middle Fork for the fly fishing experience of a lifetime. Drift Boat fishing the corridor in September is a time when the Cutthroat are consistent and boats on the water are scarce. MFRE is one of the few outfitters offering guided drift boat fly fishing trips on the Middle Fork this late in the year.
Give us a Shout!

Sparrow

ROW Adventures

March 9th, 2013

ROW adventures, based out of CeurD’Alene, claims to run more Idaho rivers than any other outfitter; their trip on the Lochsa being a favorite for many. ROW Adventures actualy has a lodge in Syringa, right on the Clearwater river, where they base their Lochsa trips out of. The Clearwater drainage is known as the farthest inland temperate rain forest in the lower 48; red cedars crowded with ferns and moss line the river banks, and the river runs solely from spring runnoff, not unlike the Middle Fork of the Salmon.

ROW Adventures runs a great trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon; their focus is aimed toward sharing the magic of the Frank Church Wilderness with families looking to get away for a week in nature. The guides at ROW Adventures are well rounded and skilled, as they often times will rotate around to all the rivers that ROW runs in Idaho and Montana.

Taking a trip with ROW Adventurest on the Middle Fork is a great option if our launch dates at Middle Fork River Expeditions don’t correspond with you and your family’s time frame. Give us a shout to find out all of the great options MFRE has to offer.

see you in the Middle,

Sparrow

OARS

March 9th, 2013

Lets give props to OARS, an adventure travel company that offers Middle Fork Trips, along with many other world wide exotic outdoor vacations. Matter of fact, OARS is out there running most of the nation’s designated wild and scenic rivers; not to mention, OARS also offers some non-river related outdoor vacation packages. The Crew at OARS is, to say the least… worldly, cultured, and committed to making a passionate living of adventure travel. Their trips in the Grand Canyon have been placed on the upper end of prestigious, as displayed by the fleet of hand made dories that they flaunt on the water. Lets be honest, every boatman and river guest alike dreams of floating the canyon in one of these beauties. These guys are a great alternative to booking with MFRE…that is, if the seats in our dories are already filled.

Inspired by the hands of those who cherish traditional boat building, along with the craftsmanship of Lost River Boat Works out of Pocatello, Middle Fork River Expeditions has also built a fleet of hand crafted wooden dories. Join MFRE on a Main Salmon Trip, or a Middle Fork trip and enjoy the pleasure of cruising the river in a traditional “Briggs” Colorado river Dory.

see you in the Middle,

Sparrow

Echo River Trips

March 7th, 2013

Echo River Trips is a company that has been running quality river rafting trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon for decades. Like most outfitters in the canyon, Echo River Trips offers a five or six day adventure exploring the wonders of the Frank Church Wilderness. Echo River Trips feature a variety of activity while in the river corridor, with something enticing for everyone. Echo River Trips feature white water, fishing, hiking, hot springs, historical interpretation, and overall family fun. On the water, Echo River Trips encourage folks to try out the inflatable kayaks for some added excitement, or simply relax on a raft while a professionally licensed guide rows you down the river. A day spent on the paddle raft is also a great option for those who enjoy a team building or family bonding experience. While traveling with Echo River Trips, endless opportunities unfold for viewing wildlife like bear and big horn sheep along the river’s edge. At camp, guests indulge in culinary delight prepared by Dutch oven masters and enjoy peaceful evenings watching sunsets glisten to the river’s voice. On any given night, it’s not rare that one of Echo’s many talented guides might bust out a guitar or mandolin and pick a tune or two; these river people are not only skilled on the oars! The guides come from all walks of life, and many will hop back and forth from Idaho to the Rogue River in Oregon, where Echo River Trips also operate.

Rafting through the Middle Fork of the Salmon River corridor with Echo River Trips is a great alternative to choosing Middle Fork River Expeditions, if for some reason our launch dates don’t correlate with you and your family’s plans; this river trip is undoubtedly the best way to see Idaho’s Frank Church Wilderness. Nowhere else in the lower 48 states can one experience 100 miles of dam free, motor-less, road-less river canyon. Unplug and reconnect with nature in one of the nation’s last remaining gems.

SWilson

Expedition Leader for Middle Fork River Expeditions

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