TR: Lower Salmon River, ID 8-12/8-17

[BakerBoy]

I don't have my guidebook or logbook handy, so I can't remember most of the names of the places, but we put on at Hammer Creek and took off in Asotin on the Snake. The Salmon was a 52 mile, 5-day float with a jet boat assist out the last 20 miles on the Snake River thru Hells Canyon on the 6th day. I was invited along by a raft guide co-worker who's family organized the trip for my buddy's dad's b-day. The flow was around 3600 cfs, and the weather was about 110 degrees the first 3 days with water temps in the 70s and 80s. Needless to say, it was pretty much PFD only paddling weather. My buddy and I paddled our Kingpin 6.3's most of the time, but I rowed a couple of the rafts (there were 3) thru some of the flat sections. We also had 3 inflatable kayaks with us, which provided tons of carnage to the gapers paddling them. Anyhow, here's some pictures from the trip...


1st day campsite
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10369/normal_IMG_0579.jpg

Looking upstream from 1st campsite
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10369/normal_IMG_0580.jpg

2nd day campsite at Packers Creek area
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10369/normal_IMG_0582.jpg

Looking upstream from 2nd campsite
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10369/normal_IMG_0583.jpg

4th day campsite
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10369/normal_IMG_0586.jpg

5th and final campsite, past the confluence on the Snake River. Beach in Oregon, photo taken from Idaho.
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10369/normal_IMG_0587.jpg

Looking upstream from The Cave on the Snake
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/10369/normal_IMG_0589.jpg

[girlski0912]

Nice TR! So when are you taking me out on the river again. Your last attempt to drown me didn't work so well...I am willing to give you ONE more chance! :)

[Squirrel99]

Nice TR! Those beaches look $


Originally posted by girlski0912
Nice TR! So when are you taking me out on the river again. Your last attempt to drown me didn't work so well...I am willing to give you ONE more chance! :)

On the Skagit, Those S-Bends (III/III+) wave trains you can lap from the road pretty easily. Not the longest stretch compared to the Sky or Wenatchee- but nice roller coaster style stuff.

Flow on all parts of the Sky has jumped back up, and closer to home the Snoqualmie is raging, too...

GS- if BB can get access to some inflatables, I'm up for a little water this weekend. All that rain has me thinkin' boat- not bike- this weekend :D

[FreakofSnow]

fkna, nice work my man. THis is a non-permit trip no? I want to hit that shit next year. We had it on the list this year, but damn the fucking responsibilities of life! Class III?

[Foggy_Goggles]

Nice, BakerBizznatch! I'm pickin up what you're laying down. 110, flat water, rafts. Ice cools and umbrellas all the way. Did you go to Riggins? Playboatin' capital USA.

[ak_powder_monkey]

Yep time to buy a boat, so much for bromodles

[BakerBoy]

Squirrel: I'll check on the inflatables. The problem with trying to get girlski to drown is that I'd be resonsible for trying to resusscitate (sp) her, and she might like it a little too much. ;)

Freak: Its all self-permit. Couple different main put-ins. Pine Creek shaves a full day off the trip, but the access is a little harder. Gotta get that jet assist or pack along your own outboard like most people do for the last 20 miles of flat water down the Snake. There are a couple class 4 rapids, but that's almost pushing it. Definitely depends on flow though. There's some really tight canyons that get rated towards class 5-6 over about 15k. With not so much water they are either non-existant, or class 3.

[girlski0912]

Originally posted by BakerBoy
Squirrel: I'll check on the inflatables. The problem with trying to get girlski to drown is that I'd be resonsible for trying to resusscitate (sp) her, and she might like it a little too much. ;)


That is besides the point BB. I might like it, but you wouldn't cuz I am a girl and you are gay....:D

[Squirrel99]

BB, if you can land some inflatables this weekend and decide not to go surfing with Wayne- lemme know. I'm down for some paddling this weekend if you're up for stuff on the milder side of your usual Boulder Drop type rapids (re: Skagit, Lower Sky, etc..)

[BakerBoy]

Sorry about not getting back to you... I've been over on the Wetsnatchee paddling Tumwater Canyon the last couple days. SWEEEEET! Anyhow, yeah.

[Squirrel99]

Originally posted by BakerBoy
Sorry about not getting back to you... I've been over on the Wetsnatchee paddling Tumwater Canyon the last couple days. SWEEEEET! Anyhow, yeah.

Did you paddle the entire Exit rapid this time?

[BakerBoy]

Couple pictures missing, don't care -- I was on this trip this time last year. :(

Oh well, anyhow. Bump for no water and high gas prices. Can it get much radder?