Trip Details
Middle-Main Combo

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 McCall at the Western Mountain Lodge, 208-634-6300, or Hotel McCall (good downtown location, 208-634-8105. For those returning to Boise the evening the trip concludes, accommodations are good at the Best Western Vista Inn 800-528-1234 which is by the airport. Pre- and post- trip accommodations are not included in the trip and all reservations should be made well in advance.

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Transportation Options:

Your trip will begin in Stanley and end in McCall. 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 fly via air taxi service from Boise to Stanley before your trip and from McCall back to Boise after your trip (see AIR) or rent a car, drive to Stanley, (3 hours), and have your car shuttled from Stanley to McCall during the trip (see GROUND) or rent a car, drive to McCall, (2 hours), leave your car at the airport and fly to Stanley the day before your trip begins (see HYBRID).

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

AIR: 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 McCall 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 McCall and fly to Boise in time for your flight the following morning, (after 10:00 am departure from Boise is best). McCall is a small, scenic, vacation community on the shares of Payette Lake and the weather is usually more flyer-friendly earlier in the day. The round trip package costs about $280 per person and can be arranged through Salmon Air Taxi (800-448-3413 or www.salmonair.com) or McCall Aviation (800-992-6559 or www.mccallaviation.com).

GROUND: 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 airport in McCall during the trip. The cost of the shuttle is $225 per vehicle, plus $80 for gas, plus a full tank of gas. River Shuttles moves thousands of vehicles around Idaho during the summer and is very reliable. 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 a week.

HYBRID: Some Middle Main Combination guests prefer to drive to McCall (2 hours north of Boise), leave their car at the airport and fly to Stanley the day before their trip begins. The one-way flight costs $120 per person through McCall Aviation (800-992-6559 or www.mccallaviation.com). This can also be done in reverse, (drive to Stanley before trip, fly back after trip).

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.

Additional Information:

ARTA's Middle Fork-Main Salmon Combination trips allow you the unique opportunity to experience an entire river system. Beginning within 20 miles of the Middle Fork's headwaters and ending within 40 miles of the Main Salmon's confluence with the Snake, we will cover over 180 miles of river and drop an astounding 3,700 feet through the heart of the Idaho backcountry.

Middle Fork:  The trip begins on this clear,  free-flowing river, famous for its scenery, rapids, fishing, and hotsprings. Flowing almost due north for 100 miles, the Middle Fork offers a diver­se river experience. The upper stretch travels through dense alpine forests and contains many small, technical rapids. The middle portion is more open, with grassy slopes, glorious hotsprings and fewer rapids. The last section takes us through Impassable Canyon where big cliffs dominate the shore and big rapids dominate the river.

Main Salmon:  After 100 miles of northward travel on the Middle Fork, we will head due west. The Main is much bigger and warmer than the Middle Fork and moves at a slightly slower pace. The rapids, although farther apart, are generally bigger and are renowned for their roller-coaster waves. The scenery is a mixture of new and old, with sections that are reminiscent of the Middle Fork as well as new stretches filled with big boulders, talus slopes, and soaring mountains.  

6-day itinerary:

Day 1: We will meet in Stanley early in the morning and be transported either to the launch site at Boundary Creek, (2 hours), or to the airport in Stanley for the 30 minute flight to Indian Creek (at extreme high water). After a thorough safety and orientation briefing, we will launch around noon. The upper river is very swift and we will tackle many challenging rapids right away. By the time we reach camp in the evening, you will be very tired.
Days 2 - 5: We will float an average of 30 - 40 miles, (5 - 6 hours), each day, stopping for a picnic lunch and perhaps to take a short hike to explore an interesting historical site or visit a hot springs. Major rapids on the Middle Fork include Pistol Creek, Marble, Tappan Falls, Cliffside, Rubber and Hancock. At some point, depending on our progress, we will exit the Middle Fork canyon and Continue downstream on the Main Salmon. The Main Salmon flow is often three times as great as the Middle Fork and we will feel small. Major rapids on the Main include Split Rock, Big Mallard and Whiplash.
Day 6: After 180 miles and 3,700 feet in elevation drop, our trip will conclude at either Carey Creek or Spring Bar upstream from Riggins on the Main Salmon. We will have lunch, de-rig the rafts and make the two-hour drive to the airport in McCall.

12-day itinerary:

Day 1: We will meet in Stanley early in the morning and be transported either to the launch site at Boundary Creek, (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: 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 or explore an historical site. Camp will be made in the late afternoon with early evening available for hiking, fishing, or relaxing. Dinner is usually served late in the day.
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 the Main Salmon. Overnight accommodations will be at the Stagecoach Inn in Salmon, ID and you can enjoy a shower, soak in a hot tub, and leisurely stroll up and down Salmon's nostalgic Main Street. Accommodations, dinner and breakfast are included in the trip price.
Day 7: We will meet the Main Salmon guests early in the morning and head back to the river.
Days 8 - 11: More time on the river at a slightly slower pace, (10 - 12 miles per day), with ample time to explore the many interesting historical sites of the Main Salmon canyon.
Day 12: Our re-entry into civilization includes a half day of rafting to our take-out point at Carey Creek, lunch and de-rigging, and a 2 hour drive to the airport in McCall.

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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. McCall, Idaho is a scenic resort community on the shores of Lake McCall and a fun place to spend a day after your trip.

Types of boats:

6-day trips:
On our early-season, 6 day Highwater Express Trips we offer two types of boats in which to ride:

Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry all of the overnight gear and up to 4 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 thecalm stretches.

Oar-paddle Combination rafts are 14 ft long and are steered by a guide using two ten foot oars and assisted by paddlers, (2 or 4), riding in the front. These rafts are light and maneuverable and offer an exciting and active means of getting down the river.

12-day trips:
At the lower flows, we can bring a wider variety of rafts and usually have these to choose from:

Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry all of the overnight gear and up to 4 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.

We usually have 2 paddle rafts and no inflatable kayaks in 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.

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Fishing:

The fishing along the Middle Fork is excellent, with an abundance of 12 - 16 inch cutthroat trout; fishing on the Main isn't quite as good, but there are still lots of fish. The Middle Fork is a "catch and release" river, so only single, barbless hooks are allowed, and all fish must be released alive; on the Main Salmon, there are a variety of regulations, (the easiest thing to do is to continue the catch-and-release practice). Fishing is better after the water levels drop 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. 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.

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 thunder?storms are fairly common. The water temperature of the river is about 50 degrees early in the season and can warm up to 65 degrees on the Main Salmon in August.

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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 Middle Fork and River of No Return by Cort Conley provides similar information for the Main Salmon canyon. A Thousand Pieces of Gold, by Ruthanne McCunn, tells the fascinating story of Polly Bemis, a Chinese woman who homesteaded along the Main Salmon. All of these books are available in Stanley or online through amazon.com. There are also 2 great river maps available that are fun to have: Matt Leidecker's Middle Fork of the Salmon Guidebook and Eric and Allison Newell's Idaho's Salmon River Guidebook. Both are available through Northwest River Supplies.

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. We enjoy answering questions and telling people about our trips, so don't hesitate to call 800-323-2782.

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