Additional Information:
About the River:
The Salmon River springs forth from the high lakes and snowfields of the spectacular Sawtooth Mountain Range in central Idaho. Descending steeply at first, the river heads in a northerly direction through the dry, bare rock "Upper Gorge" before entering the fertile Salmon River Valley. A few miles north of the town of Salmon, the river turns abruptly west and heads into the beautiful and remote Frank Church Wilderness Area and the section known as the River of No Return.
Our trips begin where the road ends at Corn Creek, and finish where the road ends at Carey Creek. Here the river alternates between stretches of lively whitewater and sections of peaceful current, providing a balance of excitement and relaxation. Each day is filled with fascinating things to see and interesting places to explore. Clear, cascading sidestreams, natural hotsprings, Native American artwork, abandoned mines, decaying homesteads, and plenty of wildlife are just a few of the Main's attractions.
Our trips are designed to allow us ample time to explore the canyon's many fascinating historical sites as well as to enjoy the on-river excitement that the river offers. Early season trips are scheduled for 5 days because the water is high and fast, allowing us to cover more miles each day without losing any off-river time for exploration. Later in the summer the river is a bit tamer, warmer, and slower, and 6 days are needed to enjoy the entire canyon. A late July or August Main Salmon trip is one of the greatest family vacation trips available.
Itinerary:
First day: We will meet at the Stagecoach and be transported to the launch site at Corn Creek,(2 - 3 hours). After a short safety and orientation briefing, we will launch on the river around noon, and float several miles and through a few rapids to our first night's camp.
Typical day: Although there is no such thing, a typical day on the Main Salmon starts with fresh coffee and a hearty breakfast, before we pack our bags and load into the rafts. Each day is different, but on average we will float 10 - 14 miles, (5 - 6 hours), and take numerous stops to scout rapids, explore abandoned homesteads, visit Native American pictograph sites, soak in a hotsprings, wander up a creek, as well as enjoy a riverside picnic lunch. We commonly rotate boats a few times each day, giving new people the opportunity to paddle or relax. We usually arrive at camp in the late afternoon and, while the guides prepare dinner, you are free to hike, relax, swim, or fish. After dinner, the campfire is often kept burning for singing and storytelling.
Last day: The last day on the river has some exciting rapids before we arrive at our take-out point at Carey Creek. We will de-rig the rafts, change clothes, and have our final lunch before being transported to the airport in McCall, (2 hours). Arrival time in McCall will be around 5:00 pm and we will stop on the way to call the air taxi company.
Types of boats:
On the Main Salmon we offer three types of boats in which to ride:
Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry all of the overnight gear and up to 5 guests. They are rowed by a guide using oars attached to a metal frame. Guests ride in the front, hang on through the rapids and relax in the calm stretches.
Paddle rafts are 14 feet long and carry 6 paddlers who actively paddle through the rapids and down the river. Everyone has a paddle, sits on the outer tube of the raft and follows the commands of the paddle guide who sits in the rear.
Inflatable kayaks are 10 - 12 feet long and are paddled by 1 or 2 people using double-bladed paddles. They are fairly stable, require no previous experience and allow you to feel the thrill of independently paddling the river.
Please note that we do not guarantee space in paddle rafts or inflatable kayaks. If there are more people who wish to ride in these boats than there are spaces, we will rotate so that everyone gets a chance to participate. Also, inflatable kayaks may not be available during the June high water period.
Meals:
ARTA meals are well-balanced and consist of quality foods with fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables. The guides double as camp chefs and the menu includes a wide variety of dishes. Lunches usually consist of hand-foods and are served picnic-style at riverside stops. Dinners and breakfasts are cooked over an open fire and often include tasty Dutch Oven baked treats. If you have special dietary requirements or are celebrating a special event during the trip, please let us know in advance.
Drinks:
ARTA provides fruit drinks at meals. If you would like soda, beer, wine, or liquor with your dinner, please bring your own in unbreakable containers, (beer and soda in cans, wine and liquor in plastic bottles). Due to weight and space restrictions, we ask that you limit the amount of canned drinks to a moderate amount.
Camping:
During the course of the trip, everyone is encouraged to participate as much as they desire, whether that be on the river, collecting firewood, or helping out in the kitchen. We have found that the more involved you become with your trip, the more rewarding your trip becomes. Overnight camping will be at riverside beaches or flat benches above the river. All sites afford spectacular views of the river and canyon. Some campsites have Forest Service pit toilets; at others ARTA will set up portable toilets. There is usually a central kitchen and campfire area, and trip members pick out spots in the surrounding area to pitch their tents or lay out their sleeping bags.
Weather:
The weather in the mountains of Idaho is difficult to predict; we have encountered hailstorms in August and heatwaves in June, so please read the equipment list and come well prepared for a variety of conditions. The weather in the Main Salmon canyon is usually mild and temperate, however rain, in the form of afternoon thunderstorms, can be encountered at any time during the season. We strongly recommend good rain protection for both day and night. Generally, summer temperatures range from the 70's to the 90's during the day and the 40's to the 50's at night, with early season trips being 10 degrees cooler and summertime extremes being 10 degrees warmer. The water temperature is a chilly 50 degrees in June, warming to a pleasant 70 degrees late in the summer.
Suggested Reading:
A great book to have along on the trip is River of No Return by Cort Conley. This and other books about the area are available online through amazon.com. The Forest Service has a handy map which is available locally in Salmon or directly from the Forest Service 208-865-2383.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend that you purchase short-term travel insurance that provides trip cancellation and medical coverage for you and your family. Please request a Travel Insurance packet from ARTA if you have not already received one.
Gratuities:
We want you to feel like a guest in our home and tipping is never expected. It is certainly appreciated, however, and is accepted as recognition of an outstanding trip or exemplary service. Normal tips range from 5% to 10% of the trip cost and are usually given to the Lead Guide who splits them equally among the entire crew.
Whether and how much you tip should depend on your satisfaction with the guide service, your financial means, and your feelings about tipping in general.
More Information
If there are any questions we haven't answered, please feel free to contact us. Our office staff enjoys telling folks about our trips, so don't hesitate to call 800-323-2782.
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