Before You Go: Middle Fork of the Salmon Rafting

Trip Highlights

MEETING PLACE:

JUNE 1 to JULY 22: Mountain Village Resort, Stanley Idaho
JULY 30 to SEPTEMBER: Stagecoach Inn, Salmon, Idaho

MEETING TIME: 7:00 PM MST
RIVER RATING: Class III-IV
TRIP MILES: 80 - 100 Miles
PUT-IN: Boundary Creek or Indian Creek
TAKE-OUT: Confluence of the Main and Middle Fork Salmon River
RETURN TIME: 5:00 PM MST Salmon, Idaho

TRIP LENGTH: 6 days
AGE LIMIT: Minimum age is 7 (12 at high water)
BOAT TYPE: Paddle Raft, Oar Raft

TRIP INCLUDES: Services of our talented adventure consultants and professional guides, all meals/beverages as indicated in the itinerary (including beer and wine), all rafting/camping gear, and transportation to/from river meeting points.

DOES NOT INCLUDE: 6% Land and water access fee, Airfare/transportation beginning and ending points, shuttling your car from Stanley to Salmon (optional), gratuities for guides, travel protection plan, pre-& post-trip hotel, items of a personal nature, Indian Creek ﬂights (if required - high or low water or road closure due to snow or other causes)

Sample Itinerary

DAY 0: ARRIVE IN STANLEY OR SALMON, ORIENTATION MEETING

We've run trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon since 1989 and based on our historical data, we know that in most years we have to start flying into Indian Creek by July 30 because the water gets too low to float on the first 23 miles from Boundary Creek to Indian Creek. For that reason, we change our trip logistics and meeting point starting with our July 30 departure from Stanley to Salmon. See our blog on Middle Fork flows for further information.

JUNE 1 - JULY 22: MEET IN STANLEY

Arrive in Stanley by 7:00 pm MST to meet ROW’s team leader at the Mountain Village Inn for a one-hour orientation meeting. We'll answer any last-minute questions and provide waterproof bags for your gear. Dinner on your own. You could schedule some time at the hotel’s private hot spring (reserve when checking in).

ACCOMMODATIONS: Mountain Village Lodge (Not Included in trip cost)
MEALS INCLUDED: none

JULY 30 - SEPTEMBER: MEET IN SALMON

Arrive in Salmon by 7:00 pm MST to meet ROW's team leader at the Stagecoach Inn for a one-hour orientation meeting. We'll answer any last-minute questions and waterproof bags for your gear. Dinner on your own.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Stagecoach Inn (Not Included in trip cost)
MEALS INCLUDED: none

DAY 1: RAFTING ORIENTATION, PUT IN, RAFT TO CAMP

Note: Every trip is a little different. Camps are assigned by the US Forest Service and thus each trip down the river is unique.

Meet your group at 7:30 am.

On trips that start in Stanley, if water flows are adequate, we take a two-hour bus ride to Boundary Creek and start our trip. If flows are too low or high to float from Boundary Creek, we take a 25-minute flight (not included in the price) from Stanley to Indian Creek.

For trips from July 30 on, we meet in Salmon, Idaho, and fly into Indian Creek. If flows are still adequate to float from Boundary Creek, then we fly to Bruce Meadows and take a bus from there 30 minutes to the put-in.

Trips starting at Boundary Creek begin at 6,000 feet elevation where the air is crisp and the forest thick with fir and spruce, the first 15 miles of the Middle Fork are fast and rapids are steep, narrow, and come in quick succession.
Trips starting at Indian Creek begin at 4,800 feet elevation and the flight in allows you to see the rugged wilderness of the Middle Fork from above and gives you a perspective of the river below.

At the river, we'll go through a safety orientation while your personal gear is loaded onto our rafts. After orientation, everyone chooses a raft (paddle or oar-powered) and climbs aboard.

During lunch, we'll explain how we minimize our impact on the river with Leave No Trace camping ethics. After lunch, the river continues to be lively and challenging. Every few hundred yards a creek tumbles into the river increasing the flow. We travel between 10 and 15 miles on the first day and arrive at camp around 4:00 pm. Enjoy your free time for hiking, fishing, reading or just relaxing. Hors-d'oeuvres are served around 6:00 and dinner around 7:30. After dinner, a campfire is lit and the warmth invites all to share stories of the day, and life.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: L, D

DAY 2: WHITEWATER, SUNFLOWER FLAT HOTSPRINGS

We awake around 7:00 am and enjoy fresh-brewed coffee. Breakfast is served and you pack up your personal gear. The rafts are loaded and we depart from camp around 9:30 for an adventure-packed day of rapids, magnificent scenery, and fun. We make it a point to visit one or two pioneer homesteads on these first few days. We'll likely stop to explore the old miner’s camp at Powerhouse Rapids. Today’s a good day to keep your eyes open for the nest of the American Dipper, a small gray bird that swims underwater and builds its nest above fast-flowing water. We'll have plenty of fun rapids as the river continues its quick descent. We’ll stop for a soak in Sunflower Flat Hot Springs where several pools above the river cascade over a rocky cliff to create nature’s perfect shower. We make camp around 4:00 pm and enjoy hiking, fishing, and relaxing. After dinner, the night sky welcomes stargazers and, later on, the river lulls you to sleep.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D

DAY 3: WHITEWATER, PICTOGRAPHS, HIKE TO LOON CREEK HOTSPRINGS

The river canyon opens now and we’ve dropped over 1,500 feet in elevation. Days and nights are warmer. The fir and spruce give way to ponderosa pines, sagebrush, and riparian hardwoods. The sparkling-clear water carries us swiftly along as the river channel widens and narrows with the underlying geology. One of today's highlights is stopping to view pictographs of the Native American Tukudeka, or Sheepeaters, who lived in this canyon until the 1870s.

The afternoon is casual as the current slows a bit. We'll learn about early pioneers like Charlie Norton, who had a run-in with a bear as amazing as the saga of Jedediah Smith. By mid-afternoon, we arrive at the camp near Loon Creek, around 50 miles from our starting point. Tonight’s highlight is a hike to the Loon Creek hot springs and anglers may enjoy casting a line into Loon Creek. Summer evenings are long, with darkness arriving around 9:30 pm in June and July. The night sky, crackling campfire, and fresh mountain air will help you sleep like a baby.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D

DAY 4: WHITEWATER, HOSPITAL BAR, TAPPAN RANCH

Another day of fun rapids and incredible Rocky Mountain scenery. We’ll likely see bighorn sheep as we pass several mineral licks. Those fishing will continue to find bountiful trout and birdwatchers are likely to spot golden eagles and falcons. We pass our last hot spring at Hospital Bar, so named because early cattlemen let their stock rest and feed at this large flat and easy ford across the river. We'll also see Tappan Ranch, where Red and Daisey Paulsen-Tappen grew a bountiful garden and raised a family with self-sufficiency and $300 a year in the 1920s and 30s. Continuing on we run the Tappan rapids. This is a great photo opportunity with plenty of splashes and thrills. The final miles to camp offer a chance to lean back and take in the monumental scenery of the River of No Return Wilderness.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D

DAY 5: WHITEWATER, HAYSTACK RAPID, AND IMPASSABLE CANYON

Today we run Haystack Rapid, the most dynamic rapid on the river. Side canyon “blowouts” have changed its course twice in the last few years. This is the official start of Impassable Canyon. Below Haystack rapids, the canyon narrows and deepens creating a series of action-packed rapids. A favorite stop is at Waterfall Creek, where a steep trail leads up to the Bighorn Crags. We walk beneath the falls and on hot days finish with a jump into the river. Shortly downstream the river cuts into the Idaho batholith – the largest monolithic chunk of granite in North America. The river has been carved into the granite and created towering walls for neck-bending panoramas. Further downstream we stop to hike to the base of Veil Falls, a soul-stirring cavern replete with pictographs and magic. Today’s scenery is truly among the most astounding on earth. From camp, the silhouette of canyon walls against the wine-dark sky will captivate you as you reflect, celebrate, and further connect with newfound friends on your last night on the Middle Fork.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D

DAY 6: WHITEWATER, CONFLUENCE OF MIDDLE FORK AND SALMON RIVER, TAKE OUT

As we push off from shore the river takes us past the former hideout of Earl Parrot, Hermit of Impassable Canyon. His story is as big as the canyon and adds just one more thread of wonder to your Middle Fork experience. As the sun breaks over the canyon rim, more big rapids greet us as we pass beneath vistas of staggering dimensions. We stop to enjoy lunch on a glistening sand beach just a few miles above the Middle Fork's confluence with the Main Salmon. We proceed onto our takeout, carry personal gear to the waiting bus and settle back for a two-hour ride to the town of Salmon and the Stagecoach Inn.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Stagecoach Inn (Not Included in trip cost)
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L

DAY 7: RETURN HOME

June 1 to July 22: If you drove to Stanley and had your car shuttled, it is waiting for you at the Stage Coach hotel in Salmon Idaho. If you are flying home, you'll board an air taxi for the 1.5-hour flight back to Boise to connect home.

July 30 - September: If you drove your car is in Salmon. Some guests may choose to take a return flight to Boise, Idaho.

Travel Arrangements

June 1 to July 22, our trips are designed to begin in Stanley and end in Salmon. While this may seem a little inconvenient, we do it for a reason. If a trip includes transportation back to Stanley at the end of the trip, you must be off the river no later than noon (and many companies are off by 10 am!) as it is a two-hour drive to Salmon, plus another three hours to Stanley. ROW doesn't believe that you should pay for a day on the river, but end up on a bus for most of it. Thus, we enjoy lunch on the river on our last day, arriving at the take-out at about 2-3 pm and to the town of Salmon by around 5 pm.

July 30 to September, our trips start and end in Salmon. This is because in most years the river’s flows have become too low by late July for us to float from Boundary Creek. This means we take a backcountry flight to the put-in at Indian Creek. Stanley is more difficult to access than the town of Salmon and starting and ending in the same town eliminates the need for a vehicle shuttle, therefore creating cost savings. If you fly, it’s easy to fly to Missoula, Montana, rent a car and drive to Salmon, 2.5 hours south. This often ends up being more economical than flying to Boise and then taking an air taxi to get to Salmon, then another one at the end of the trip to Boise.

If water levels are high enough for us to float from Boundary Creek on trips from July 30 and later, then we fly from the town of Salmon to Bruce Meadows and take you by bus to Boundary Creek.

For those that do not want to fly in small airplanes, it’s best to sign up for trips earlier in the season. However, if you were on a trip on July 30 or later that was able to start from Boundary Creek, you could still drive to Stanley and then ride in on the bus that is picking up the rest of the group at Bruce Meadows. We often don’t know if we will be flying in or not until 1-2 days prior to a launch. If you choose this option on trips from July 30 on you would miss the orientation meeting in Salmon.

MEETING TIME:

The evening before the trip we meet in Stanley, Idaho at the Mountain Village Resort or on trips from July 30 on, at the Stagecoach Inn located in Salmon, Idaho at 7 pm.

Please ensure to make your hotel reservations early; the Mountain Village will open up reservations to guests of ROW on October 15th for the following year. The Mountain Village Lodge tends to fill quickly during the summer months and does not offer discounts to ROW guests. The Stagecoach Inn in Salmon offers discounts to ROW Adventures guests. Make your reservations with the Stagecoach Inn by calling the front desk at 208-756-2919, mention your date of stay, and that you are a part of the "ROW Adventures group block". The group block is held until 3 weeks prior to check-in at which point it is dropped.

At 7 pm MST ROW’s Team Leader will meet you for a one-hour orientation, to answer last-minute questions and give you your waterproof bags to pack. This is an important meeting, so please be on time. The next morning, we meet at the designated time set by your Team Leader and transport you to the river.

June 1 to July 22, when flows are adequate, we go by bus for about two hours to the put-in point at Boundary Creek. At lower flows, we fly from Stanley to Indian Creek.

July 30 to September, if flows are adequate to float from Boundary Creek, we fly from Salmon, Idaho to Bruce Meadows, and then transfer by bus about 30 minutes to the put-in at Boundary. At lower flows, we fly directly from Salmon to Indian Creek.

Please have breakfast on your own before we meet. At the end of the trip, we return you to the Stagecoach Inn in the town of Salmon by 5 pm where we encourage you to spend the night. The Stagecoach Inn will be happy to provide transportation to the airport in the morning after your stay.

Note: As noted above, in a typical year, the first 23 miles of the Middle Fork become too low to float by late July or early August. Logistics are explained above. The additional expense for this flight (about $200 per person) will be billed to each trip member. The same situation sometimes occurs on early June trips due to too much water and/or the put-in road being closed due to snow. To learn more you can read our blog about Middle Fork Flows.

IF YOU DRIVE:

June 1 to July 22: Leave your car at the motel in Stanley at the beginning of the trip. River Shuttles will drive your car from Stanley to Salmon. Please prearrange a shuttle online with River Shuttles directly before your trip. River Shuttle's website answers many of your questions. The cost is about $175 for a standard vehicle and $250 for an over-size truck or Sprinter Van, payable by credit card (online), check, or cash directly to the shuttle company. The fee does not include fuel. You are no longer able to arrange the shuttle at our orientation meeting the night before your trip. The Mountain Village Lodge charges an additional $25 per vehicle or $50 for over-size vehicle (trucks with trailers, motorhome, Sprinter vans) left for shuttling.

If you would like to add the shuttle driver as an additional insured to your car rental for the car shuttle, renting a car directly with Hertz in Boise will allow you to do this. River Shuttles has a list of drivers on file at the local Hertz in Boise. You can call them directly at 208-383-3100.

July 30 to September: Drive to Salmon, Idaho, and leave your car in the parking lot of the Stagecoach Inn. There is currently no charge for this.

IF YOU FLY:

June 1 to July 22, meet in Stanley, Idaho: The nearest major airport is Boise and you need to arrive in Boise the day before the launch dates listed, arriving no later than 4-5 pm. From Boise, you have two options:

1) Take an air taxi from Boise to Stanley and then from Salmon to Boise at the end of the trip. The cost is roughly $450-$500 including tax. Please call Gem Air at 208-756-7382 or Sawtooth Flying Service directly at 208-634-7774, to make these reservations.

2) Rent a car and drive about 3 hours to Stanley. Then have it shuttled to Salmon for about $175, not including gas, reserved online directly with River Shuttles. The Mountain Village Lodge charges an additional $20 per vehicle left for shuttling. Then your car will be awaiting you at the trip's end. It's about a 6-hour drive back to Boise from Salmon. If you are flying back to Boise, you should not book your return flight out of Boise until after 8:30 am the day after your trip gets off the water.

(Example- On the July 6th trip, you'd fly to Boise on July 5, be on the river July 6-11, spend the night of the 11th in Salmon, then the morning of the 12th take the air taxi flight to Boise, and fly out of Boise sometime after 8:30 am.) The air taxi service will take you from Salmon to Boise (a 1.5-hour flight) whenever you need to leave, based on your commercial flight from Boise and the schedules of any other passengers who might have flights within an hour or two of yours. The exact flight time from Salmon to Boise will not be confirmed until the evening before the flight.

July 30 to September, meet in Salmon, Idaho: The nearest major airport is Missoula, Montana. The most economical solution is to rent a car and drive 2 ½ hours south to Salmon where you leave your car during the trip. Alternatively fly to Boise, Idaho, and arrange for an air taxi to fly you to/from Salmon, Idaho.

FLY/DRIVE OPTION:

If you want to visit other places in the region, groups of four or more may find good economy in chartering an air taxi plane at the end of the trip to take them from Salmon to some other location, such as Missoula, Montana (on the way to Glacier National Park) or Jackson Hole (near Yellowstone) where you can pick up a rental car. In this case, you will need an air ticket that takes you from your home to Boise and allows you to return home from Missoula or Jackson Hole. Spokane, Washington is just 4 hours west of Missoula and is another common airline gateway, so a nice loop is to get a car in Missoula, drive to Glacier, and end in Spokane.

EXTRA LUGGAGE:

If you have luggage that you won’t need on the trip there are a couple of options.

June 1 to July 22: If you are driving to Stanley leave your luggage in your car, as it will be awaiting your arrival in Salmon. If you are flying into Stanley oftentimes we have several guest's vehicles that you can put your luggage in and the vehicle will await everyone's arrival in Salmon. In the rare case that everyone is flying into Stanley and there are no guest vehicles available to transfer luggage, we will make arrangements for your luggage to be transferred.

July 30 to September: If you drive or fly to Salmon, you can leave extra luggage in your car or with the front desk of the Stagecoach Inn.

LAST-MINUTE PHONE NUMBERS:

If you need to reach ROW at the last minute, contact our office Monday - Friday at (208) 765-0841.
Mountain Village Resort in Stanley: (208) 774-3661 or 800-843-5475
Stagecoach Inn in Salmon: (208) 756-2919

Weather

We highly recommend checking the weather prior to your trip for an updated forecast and current conditions. We recommend the following websites.

Weather in Stanley and Salmon Idaho - Weather Underground

Middle Fork of the Salmon River - Find Local Weather

WHEN TO GO?

Because the Middle Fork has no dams the water is highest when early-summer warmth melts the snow from the high peaks. The winter’s snowpack affects each season’s water levels. Therefore June to early July, in general, is the time to come if you have previous rafting experience and are seeking high water thrills. Mid-July brings somewhat lower flows as the bulk of the snowmelt has already run-off and we welcome novice rafters. The river gradually gets lower as the summer passes, bringing incredible clarity and magic to the crystal waters. Latter August and September are wonderful times to be on the river as few other people are around, the colors of the hills become more radiant, and fishing is at its best.

Getting Ready

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Here at ROW Adventures, our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirement of the trip you choose.

All of our multi-day rafting trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions. ROW Adventures is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities, and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip. We ask that you consult your doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure. In general, all trip participants must be able to do the following:

Wear all protective and safety equipment that is required by ROW Adventures and recommended/required by industry-wide standards.

Load and unload, on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion, the bus and/or van providing transportation for ROW Adventures activities.

Reach the river access points (put-in and take-out) on their own, or with the aid of a qualified companion.

Enter and exit the raft, kayak and/or inflatable kayak on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion.

Remain seated and balanced in a floating raft, canoe, kayak or inflatable kayak w/ the aid of adaptive equipment, if necessary.

Perform all on water activities, including following instructions that like paddling commands from the guide in class I and higher whitewater on their own or with the assistance of a qualified companion.

Float on their back when entering moving and still water. The participant must be capable of turning from face-down to face-up in the water with the aid of a Personal Floatation Device and must be able to hold their breath while underwater.

Remain calm and keep breathing under control in the event of a whitewater swim.

Get out from under a raft, whether the raft is up-right or capsized, in moving water.

Climb into the raft, with the help of another person, should an involuntary swim happen at any point on the river.

Make progress toward the shoreline or a raft by swimming in moving water and must be able to exit the river and ascend the shoreline once reached.

Participate as an active paddler when instructed by the guide for the duration of the trip.

Move about the campsite on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion on all trips that include overnight camping and/or lunch.

Packing List

Packing properly for a river trip is CRITICAL to your enjoyment while on the river. We recommend that you prepare yourself for three basic scenarios:

A cool day on the river.
A warm day on the river.
Time spent lounging in camp.

Take care of these, and you are free to let the river and the canyon work their magic.

The weather in the northwest is unpredictable. You must come prepared for the cold/wet weather and hot/sunny weather – sometimes even on the same day! The following information will help you be prepared for the expected as well as the unexpected events of your trip. You may not use all of the gear listed below, but we recommend bringing it all!

DRYBAGS THAT ROW PROVIDES

One large waterproof bag (16” in diameter x 33” tall) per person. This will contain your sleeping bag as well as your personal clothing and items. This bag is NOT accessible during the day as it goes ahead of the group with our cargo raft.
Note: This bag will also contain additional gear provided by ROW: A sleeping bag, flannel liner & pillow
A small daypack (9” in diameter x 20” tall) for items you want to access during the day such as rain gear, sunscreen, camera, medications, etc.

WHAT YOU SHOULD PACK:

All of your personal items should be packed into a soft-sided duffle bag approximately 12” x 13” x 24” in size. Due to weight allowances and raft space, please limit your gear to 20-25 pounds. (This is especially important for late July and August trips where we’ll most likely be flying in small airplanes to the put-in at Indian Creek!) This bag will then go inside your large waterproof bag provided by ROW.

ITEMS FOR ON THE RIVER

Two T-Shirts (1 quick dry and 1 cotton for a hot day)
One light long-sleeved shirt for sun protection and cool evenings. Popular options are a rash guard or sunscreen shirts.
Two pairs of shorts (nylon quick drying is always better than cotton).
Light pants are great for sun protection or on a windy day. Lightweight zip-off pants work great.
Swimsuit – two-piece suits are easier for women - tankinis with river shorts are a great option.
One pair of river sandals (must have a secure ankle strap, no flip-flops or crocs!) Velcro is okay if in good condition. Popular name brands include Chaco, Teva, Keen, or Merrells. Tennis shoes with polypro socks are a good option if your feet tend to get cold.
One Cap, Sun Hat or Visor (ROW hats are available when you arrive.)

ITEMS GOOD TO HAVE IN YOUR DRY BAG ON THE RIVER

One rain suit, jacket & pants (windbreaker without cotton liner works well, but no cheap ponchos)
Mid-weight to light-weight long underwear tops and bottoms. Best worn over a swimsuit and undershorts.
One synthetic or wool mid-weight sweater for layering on the river on cool days.
Sunglasses with retaining cord/device
Bee Sting kit for those allergic to bees
Biodegrable sunscreen (we highly recommend Stream2Sea as an all natural option)
Lip balm with SPF 20-50
Water bottle with carabiner
Extra Cap, Sun Hat, or Visor

ITEMS FOR TIME AT CAMP

Two Short sleeve shirts (Enjoy clean and comfortable)
One pair of pants (lightweight nylon, cotton or fleece)
Pair of shorts
One synthetic mid-weight sweaters for cool evenings
Underwear and socks
Flashlight or headlamp with extra bulb and batteries
Skin lotion, lip balm, waterproof sunscreen, etc.
Toilet kit - toothbrush and paste, soap ( biodegradable is best, no soaps can be used in the river), camp towel, washcloth, comb, handkerchief, a small pack of tissues, small mirror, moist towelettes, shaving stuff, feminine sanitary supplies, etc.
Extra eyeglasses and/or contact lenses are strongly suggested. ALL glasses need a head strap!
One pair of tennis shoes or walking shoes for cooler weather and hiking. (We don’t recommend you bring large hiking boots as they take up too much space and aren’t necessary.) Flip-flops/ crocs are also comfortable for easy walking on sandy beaches!
Stocking Cap/ Beanie for cool nights

ADDITIONAL CLOTHES FOR COOL WEATHER (Early and late season – June & September)

Two pairs of wool or polypro socks to wear on the river
One additional set of synthetic light or midweight tops and bottoms (one set for the river and one for camp)
Wool or poly gloves & wool or poly cap (like a skiing hat)

OPTIONAL ITEMS

Camera – waterproof digital with extra batteries & memory card recommended. Many guests use smartphones (there is NOT cell service on the river). A waterproof case is also highly recommended for protection and ease of use.
Paddling Gloves
Sarong
Sundress for camp
One female urinary device (allows women to urinate standing up without removing clothing). Silicon or hard plastic ones work great. Popular name brands include Gogirl and Shewee.
2-3 Carabiners for clipping items to the boat
Binoculars
Plastic garbage bags (2-3 for separating dirty/wet clothes in your waterproof bag)
Cards, games, books, musical instruments, journals
Fishing gear and Idaho fishing license if you plan to fish - must be in a protective case & disassembled. We suggest you buy lures at the Stanley Fly Shop (208-721-7151) as they have daily updates of what the fish are hitting. Only catch-and-release fishing with single barbless hooks is allowed!!

LAYERING FOR OUTDOOR COMFORT
Clothing layers are the thermostat of the wilderness. As you get ready for your river trip, think about dressing in layers. By adding and subtracting layers you can keep yourself perfectly comfortable. If you were to look into the dry bags of a well-prepared river guide you would see packing for three weather scenarios -- cold, wet days; hot, summer days; and cool evenings and mornings in camp. All of your on-river clothing should be made from synthetic fabrics with names like fleece, pile, polypropylene, Capilene™, or polyester. A cotton T-shirt is used occasionally on hot, sunny days, but cotton clothing is best saved for on-shore camp use.

LAYER #1: The layer next to your skin should be close-fitting and thin. Start with a swimsuit and/or swim trunks and synthetic base layer tops and bottoms on cold trips. You do not want to wear cotton on the river on cool rainy days. The evaporation of water from a wet cotton layer will actually make you colder! Synthetic fibers maintain insulative properties when wet and "wick" moisture away from your skin.
LAYER #2: The next layer should also be made of synthetic fiber, but should be a bit heavier in weight. If you get too warm you can always peel this layer off.
LAYER #3: The outer layer is what is known as the "barrier" layer. This layer should be waterproof and loose-fitting enough to give you a good range of motion. The idea of this layer is to seal out water and seal in the warmth generated by you and insulated by layers # 1 and # 2. A good rain suit can do the job, or a good paddling jacket and pants. Not only will this protect you from rainstorms, but chilly water temperatures when running rapids as well!

WETSUITS
ROW provides Farmer John-style wetsuits for our cold-weather trips through July 6 (long legs, but no sleeves). A thin layer of synthetic material (like a swimsuit or polyester), merino wool, or silk could be worn under a wetsuit, but generally, the wetsuit is considered a base layer that goes next to your skin. Then for added warmth, you can add a layer of fleece or a mid-weight layer of wool over the wetsuit. The final layer should be waterproof. Wool or fleece socks can be worn with booties if your feet tend to get cold.

FISHING

If you plan to fish, please bring your own fishing gear (with a protective case), as we do not have any to loan. An IDAHO fishing license is required if you plan on fishing. You can pre-purchase a license by going to the website https://idfg.idaho.gov/license/purchase-options. You can purchase a license in Stanley at the Stanley Fly Shop. Click on the link for current information or you can call the fly shop at 208-721-7151. You must have a current driver’s license to purchase a license.

LIQUOR AND PREFERED BEVERAGES

ROW packs a moderate quantity of soft drinks as well as wine and beer for legal-age guests. If you bring liquor, please give it to your guide in a labeled plastic container (Nalgene, Platypus soft bottle). Beer should be in cans - No glass beer bottles, please. Bottled wine is fine. All liquors in IDAHO are sold in State Liquor Stores with limited hours. Please be aware we have limited space on our rafts therefore moderate quantities, please. If you are arriving after 7 pm BE SURE TO PURCHASE your liquor at home and bring it with you.

GRATUITIES:

Like anyone in the service business, river and outdoor adventure guides appreciate gratuities. Our guides are some of the best and most highly trained in the business. They not only guide your raft down the river but set up camp, cook and serve gourmet meals, provide interpretation of the natural and cultural history of the area and strive to provide the highest level of hospitality. Tipping is ultimately a personal decision, however, if you appreciate the service your guides provided, then as a guideline we suggest a gratuity of 10-20% of the trip price. Tips can be given to the ROW Team Leader at the end of the trip in the form of cash or personal check. The Team Leader distributes them equally among the guides and gives a portion to ROW’s behind-the-scenes, unsung heroes like our drivers and food shoppers.

Reading List

Cadillac Desert: The American West and its Disappearing Water, by Marc Reisner (Penguin Books).
This is an enlightening and easy to read book about water politics in the West. It does not contain much about Idaho – but is still a must read – especially with the current debate over removing the four lower Snake River dams. Highly recommended.
Children of Grace, by Bruce Hampton, Henry, Holt Publishers, 1994
(out of print as of March of 1998) – but in ROW founder, Peter Grubb’s opinion, one of the best! Look for it at used bookstores or try www.bibliofind.com. If you're only going to read book about the Nez Perce and the war of 1879, this is the one. Highly recommended. (Out of print, available online)
Idaho Chinese Lore, by Sister M. Alfreda Elsensoln (Idaho Corporation of Benedictine Sisters and printed by The Caxton Printers, Ltd. In Caldwell, 1970).
Try your local library. (Out of print, available online)
Idaho for the Curious: A Guide, by Cort Conley (Backeddy Books).
This thick book is a great resource for the curious. Conley follows the roads and relates the natural and human history of the areas. It’s worth the money and the perfect companion in your car for your dog to read to you as you drive.
Idaho Loners, by Cort Conley (Backeddy Books, 1994).
An in-depth look into the lives of the hermits, solitaries and individualists that shaped Idaho’s history. Fun, intriguing, biographical reading.
Indians of Idaho, by Deward E. Walker Jr. (University Press of Idaho).
Middle Fork: A Guide, by Johnny Carrey and Cort Conley (Backeddy Books, 1992).
This is probably the best book to deepen one’s appreciation of the Middle Fork of the Salmon and its history.
Myths of the Idaho Indians, by Deward E. Walker Jr. (University Press of Idaho, 1982). (Out of print, available online)
Nez Perce Coyote Tales, by D. Walker (University of Oklahoma Press, 1994).
Rivers of the West - A Guide to the Geology & History, by Elizabeth L. Orr & William N. Orr. (Out of print, available online)
Roadside Geology of Idaho, by David D. Alt and Donald W. Hyndman (Mountain Press Publishing Company, 1989).
Few states pack so many different rocks into such a small area as Idaho, the book covers this unique occurrence in an exciting geologic story.
Roadside History of Idaho, by Betty Derig (Mountain Press Publishing Co., 1996).
“The best way to enjoy Idaho’s rich heritage is to visit the sites where history happened”. This book transports you to those places through well-researched, well-told text and vivid historical photographs.
Salmon and His People, by Dan Landeen and Allen Pinkham. (Confluence Press, Lewis & Clark State College, 1999). Fish & Fishing in Nez Perce Culture, illustrated with 200 color photographs as well as dozens of historic images to chronicle the importance of fish and fishing to the Nez Perce people. This book gives you a real sense of how important the Salmon were and are to the Nez Perce. Highly recommended.
Sources of the River, by Jack Nisbet (Sasquatch Books, 1994)
Jack re-creates the life and times of David Thompson – fur trader, explorer, surveyor, and mapmaker who blazed the way West before Lewis and Clark. As a result of adding his own observations Jack has created a fascinating story of two men discovering the Northwest Territory almost two hundred years apart. (Author Jack Nisbet lives in Spokane and has traveled on the Missouri River in 2000 as a ROW interpretive guest.) Highly recommended. (Out of print, available online)
The Education of Little Tree, by Forrest Carter (University of New Mexico Press, 1976).
The true story of a Cherokee boy’s unique education in the 1930’s. A wonderful book that shows the stark contrast between the values, awareness and relationship with nature of the Indians versus those of white people. Highly recommended.
The Lemhi: Sacajawea’s People, by Brigham D. Madsen (The Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1979).
A historical story of the Lemhi tribe being reunited with Sacajawea and their struggle to survive on a too small reservation.
The River Reader, by John A. Murray (The Lyons Press, 1998).
A collection of writings that is composed of both classic selections and contemporary writings from twenty-two diverse writers that are devoted to a single environmental subject.
The Weiser Indians: Shoshoni Peacemakers, by Hank Corless (The Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1996).
“This book documents Indian-white relations in the southwestern Idaho during the time of initial white encroachment onto Indian lands. It also offers a perspective on all native peoples of the northern Great Basin”. Besides that it illustrates the daily life and culture of an Idaho Indian tribe around the time of the first settlement of Idaho by white people. Highly recommended.. (Out of print, available online)
Thunder Mountain, by Zane Grey (Walter J. Black, Inc., 1932).
A fantastic story about a gold mine near the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the 1860’s by the man who created the literary genre known as the “Western”. It is no longer in print. Try your local used bookstores for a copy of this great book! (Out of print, available online)
Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose (Simon & Schuster, 1996). A must read! A poignant human drama of Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the opening of the American West. This book is one of the main reasons so many people are intrigued by the Lewis and Clark story. Highly recommended.