Trip Details
Middle Fork Salmon

ARTA provides the following:

You are responsible for:

Where to Stay:

Lodging before the trip is good at the Mountain Village Lodge, 208-774-3661. The Lodge fills up quickly and we advise that you make reservations well in advance. Other lodging includes the Triangle C Ranch 208-774-2266 and McGowens's Cabins 208-774-2290. Lodging after the trip is available in Salmon at the Stagecoach Inn, 208-756-4251 and the Motel DeLuxe 208-756-2231. In Boise we recommend the Best Western Vista Inn, 208-336-8100, which is close to the airport and provides shuttle van service for their guests. All accommodations should be reserved well in advance of the trip and are not included in the trip fee.

back to top

Transportation Options:

Your trip will begin in Stanley and end in Salmon. Because of the rising costs of air taxi flights and our efforts to keep the cost of your trip as low as possible, we no longer arrange transportation packages in Idaho.

If you are flying into Boise, you can either rent a car, drive to Stanley and have it shuttled from Stanley to Salmon during the trip or you can arrange for air taxi service from Boise to Stanley and from Salmon back to Boise.

If you are driving directly to Stanley, you can either have your vehicle shuttled to Salmon or you can arrange an air taxi flight back to Stanley after your trip. Conversely, if it is easier for you to drive to Salmon, you can do this in reverse.

AIR TAXI FLIGHTS: You will need to arrange a flight from Boise to Stanley for the day before your trip (we recommend departing Boise for Stanley no later than 5:00 pm) and from Salmon to Boise after your trip. Due to potential delays we recommend that you DO NOT plan on flying out of Boise the evening the trip ends, but rather that you spend the night in Salmon and fly to Boise in time for your flight the following morning, (after 10:00 am departure from Boise is best). Salmon is a small, rural community with limited attractions but a lot of character and the weather is generally more flyer-friendly earlier in the day. The round trip flight package costs about $370 per person; contact Salmon Air Taxi (800-448-3413 or www.salmonair.com) or McCall Aviation (800-992-6559 or www.mccallaviation.com) to make these arrangements.

CAR SHUTTLE: You will need to drive to Stanley and arrange an independent car shuttle through River Shuttles (800-831-8942 or www.rivershuttles.com). You can arrange the shuttle in advance, or you can fill out a form at the pre-trip meeting. Your car will be left at the Mountain Village Lodge in Stanley and shuttled to the Stagecoach Inn in Salmon during the trip. The cost of the shuttle is about $95 per vehicle, plus a full tank of gas. If you are RENTING A VEHICLE AT THE BOISE AIRPORT, request an “Additional Driver’s Form” from the rental agency (Avis and Budget have been the easiest to work with in the past), fill it out and FAX it to River Shuttles at 208/756-4188. River Shuttles will fill in their part and FAX it to the rental agency before rental. This enables River Shuttles to drive the rental car. Arrange shuttle as above. Car rentals cost about $150 to $250 for the week.

If you have any questions or need more information or have a large group and want to consider van and bus charters, just give us a call.

back to top

Additional Information:

About the River:

The Middle Fork of the Salmon is the classic mountain river. For 97 pristine miles in the heart of the Idaho backcountry, the river cuts through a canyon of remarkable history, beauty, and solitude, providing the setting for one of the finest wilderness whitewater vacations available.

The Middle Fork is diverse and unpredictable. The upper reach, (which we only run on May, June and July trips), is intricate and intimate, as the creek-like stream cascades over rocky ledges and winds through an evergreen forest. The middle section, (where we begin our August and September trips), is more open and arid with longer vistas of expansive hillsides and isolated stands of giant pines. The lower stretch is awe-inspiring as the river cuts through the impressive rock walls of Impassible Canyon. All along the way, the river provides plenty of excitement with rapids that range from short abrupt drops to long, technical boulderfields. Velvet Falls, Powerhouse, Haystack, Redside, Rubber and Hancock are a few of the river's better known rapids.

But whitewater is only one of the Middle Fork's special attractions. The canyon boasts an abundance of natural phenomena as well as occasional reminders of the area's interesting human history. We will stand beneath shimmering waterfalls, soak in miraculous hotsprings, and swim in water too clear to believe. We will also marvel at the pictographs of the Sheepeater Indians, as well as smile at the legends and leftovers of the Middle Fork's early pioneers. There will be time to hike, explore, fish, relax, and thoroughly enjoy this unique region.

Itinerary:

Day 1: We will meet at the Mountain Village Lodge in the morning and be transported either to the launch site at Boundary Creek, (1½ - 2 hours, May - mid-July trips), or to the airport in Stanley for the 30 minute flight to Indian Creek, (August and September trips). After a short safety and orientation briefing, we will launch around noon.

Days 2 - 5:  Although there is no such thing, a typical day on the Middle Fork starts with coffee and a hearty breakfast before we pack our bags and load on to the rafts. We will float an average of 15 - 18 miles, (5 - 6 hours), each day, stopping for a picnic lunch and perhaps to take a short hike, soak in a hotsprings, or explore an historical site. Camp will be made in the late afternoon with early evening available for hiking, fishing, swimming or relaxing.

Day 6:  An early morning prepares us for some of the Middle Fork's biggest rapids as we finish the Impassible Canyon and float on to our take out at Cache Bar on the Main Salmon. We will de-rig the rafts and have our final lunch at Cache Bar before heading back to Salmon for an early evening, (4:00 - 5:00), arrival at the Stagecoach Inn or Salmon Airport.

back to top

Local Attractions:

Within a day's drive of Salmon are Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks, as well as Sun Valley resort and numerous western guest ranches.

Types of boats:

On the Middle Fork 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 2people using double-bladed paddles. They are fairly stable, require no previous experience and allow you to feel the thrill of independently paddling the river.

We usually have 2 paddle rafts and no inflatable kayaks in May, June and July, and 1 paddle raft and 4 to 6 inflatable kayaks in August. 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.

back to top

Fishing:

The fishing along the Middle Fork is excellent, with an abundance of 12 - 16 inch cutthroat trout. This is a "catch and release" river, so only single, barbless hooks are allowed, and all fish must be released alive. Fishing is better after the water level drops in mid-July. Poles should be protected in sturdy cases and only a small amount of tackle is needed. Dry flies, (Caddis, Grasshoppers and Irresistibles), and small spinners, (Mepps, Panther Martins) work well. You do not need waders or nets. If you want to fish you must have a valid Idaho State Fishing License. Fishing gear, licenses, and good advice are available from McCoy's Tackle in Stanley, 208-774-3377, which is open 7 days a week.

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 that afford spectacular views of the river and canyon; most have swimming and hiking options. 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.

Toilet Facilities:

We know it is on your mind, so let's talk about it. We have been doing this for a long time and we have developed some pretty good practices and equipment. The solution is what we affectionately call “The Groover”, a sturdy metal box with a toilet seat that takes care of all our waste. While it isn’t enjoyable to think about, using the Groover is actually surprisingly pleasant; minimal odor, comfortable seat and almost always a beautiful location. We have techniques to safeguard your privacy, so going to the bathroom in the wilderness isn’t something to worry about – you won’t be digging any holes or squatting.

Weather:

The weather in the mountains of Idaho is difficult to predict; we have encountered snowstorms in August and heatwaves in May, so please read the equipment list and come well prepared for a variety of conditions. Rain, usually in the form of spectacular, afternoon thunderstorms, is common; good rain gear and a reliable tent are strongly advised. Generally, summer temperatures range between 65 to 75 degrees on the upper reaches of the river and up to 90 degrees in the lower canyon. Nighttime temperatures can dip into the 30's, particularly in June. Brief, spectacular thunderstorms are fairly common. The water temperature of the river is about 50 degrees early in the season and 60 degrees later on.

back to top

Suggested Reading:

The Middle Fork, A Guide by Johnny Carrey and Cort Conley is an interesting book about the river and the history of the area. It is available in Stanley or online through amazon.com. Long-time river guide and photographer Matt Leideker put together a very informative guide, The Middle Fork, a comprehensive guide, that is available through his website mattlphoto.com. There are also a number of books and maps available near the Mountain Village Lodge in Stanley.

Travel Insurance:

Because life is full of surprises, we suggest you consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for your trip. Trip cancellation, evacuation, baggage loss and other coverages are available for between 4% and 11% of your trip cost. You can get more information at www.travelinsure.com; please enter ARTA's Participating Organization Number (215296) at the top of the enrollment form.

Gratuities:

We want you to feel like a guest in our home; tips are never expected. But, if you feel that your guides did an outstanding job, a post-trip gratuity is a flattering way to let them know. Tips should be based on your satisfaction, your financial means and your attitude about tipping. They have ranged anywhere from 5 to 20 percent of the trip cost, (with the occasional recommended book or coveted hat thrown in). It is customary within ARTA to give the tip to the Lead Guide who will distribute it equally amongst all of the staff. (And thank you very much).

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.

back to top