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(208) 634-4303 | RIVERBEAT BLOG

SIX OR TWELVE DAY RIVER ADVENTURES

MIDDLE FORK AND MAIN SALMON RIVERS, IDAHO

Category Archive: rafting

  1. How do I get to the River?

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    Transportation to/from the Middle Fork & Main Salmon Rivers

    Whether you are heading to the Main Salmon or to the Middle Fork of the Salmon, your river trip starts and ends in the 2.4 million acre stretch of protected land known as the Frank Church Wilderness of No Return. Spanning six different national forests and several mountain ranges, the Frank Church is one of the most remote wilderness areas in the lower 48 states. This means that getting to the river takes some logistical coordination. That’s why we offer several options for getting to and from the river; Diving, Flying or Driving & Flying. 

    The Backcountry Flight Option

    Start your trip with a spectacular chartered flight via prop plane! From the Boise Airport, enjoy a scenic, hour to an hour and a half-long flight over the beautiful Sawtooth Mountains and Salmon-Challis National Forest, and land just a short ride from the put in (for the Middle Fork) or a 2.5-hour ride (for the Main Salmon), where your river trip begins. On the last day of the trip, you will fly back to Boise and have an evening to enjoy in the city, before you depart for home the next day. If you are flying to Idaho from anywhere in the country or internationally, this is the most convenient and time-efficient option. If you plan on driving to Boise, the airport offers long-term parking for $11.50 a day.

    Price: $435 per person.

    Take this option if:

    • You like the idea of a scenic flight over some of Idaho’s most expansive and gorgeous wilderness.
    • You will be flying to Boise, Idaho for this trip, and/or you have limited travel time.

    Who Makes the Flight Arrangements:

    • The Canyons Logistics & Reservations Team will handle booking your backcountry flights and will apply the cost to your invoice with Canyons, you just have to let us know that you want this option on your personal registration form!

    The Drive and Shuttle Option:

    For those living in the surrounding area or coming from a destination nearby, driving can be the most convenient and economical option. The important thing to remember with the drive option is that you will need to have your vehicle shuttled from where the trip begins, to where the trip ends. You are responsible for arranging and paying for this vehicle shuttle service. To assist you in this, our Accommodations & Other Services page offers specific recommendations for shuttle service companies, who are licensed to shuttle your car around to where your trip ends.

    Middle Fork drive options:

    Without a boat:

    If you plan to drive but don’t plan on bringing your own boat, you have two options:

    • #1- Drive to Stanley, Idaho. A beautiful and charming small town with incredible scenery, great hot springs, and excellent recreation opportunities nearby. You will meet the shuttle bus on the morning of your trip at the Mountain Village Lodge. You will need to arrange to have your vehicle shuttled from the Mountain Village Lodge in Stanley, to the Salmon Airport. 
    Price: approximately $150/per vehicle
    • #2- Drive to Salmon, Idaho. A classic Idaho ranching community with a variety of recreational activities nearby. On the morning of your trip take a scenic one-way backcountry flight to a backcountry landing strip, where our shuttle bus will pick you up and take you to the river. At the end of your trip, our shuttle bus will take you back to your vehicle at the Salmon Airport, thus no vehicle shuttle needed. You can park your car for free at Salmon Airport.
    Price: Approx. $195/per person

    With a boat:

    If you plan on bringing your own craft, you will meet our guides at the Boundary Creek put-in site. This is about 1.5 hours from Stanley and has a USFS campground. You are welcome to meet your guides here the night before and camp out, or you can drive to the put-in in the morning. If you plan on arriving in the morning, we ask that you please be at the Boundary Creek Boat Launch no later than 9 am. You will need to have your vehicle shuttled from Boundary Creek to the Confluence (of the Middle Fork and the Main Salmon rivers).

    Price: Approx. $300/per vehicle

    ***An alternative to having your vehicle shuttled from Boundary Creek is to drive your boat (s) in the night before, leave it with the Canyons gear at the put-in and then drive back out to Stanley. You could then stay the night in Stanley and ride the shuttle bus back in in the morning. Then you would arrange to shuttle your vehicle from Stanley to the Confluence (saving a little bit of money).

    Price: Approx. $275/per vehicle

    Main Salmon drive options:

    Without a boat:

    If you are traveling without a boat, you have two options:

    • #1- Drive to Salmon, Idaho and meet the shuttle Bus at the Salmon Airport on the morning of your trip. Arrange to have your vehicle shuttled to the McCall Airport. At the end of your trip, our shuttle bus will bring you out to the McCall Airport where your vehicle should be waiting for you.
    Price: Approx. $350/per vehicle
    • #2- Drive to McCall, Idaho and take a one-way scenic backcountry flight from McCall to Salmon on the morning of your trip launch, where you will then ride our shuttle bus into the put-in. On the last day of your trip we will shuttle you back to your vehicle in McCall, thus no vehicle shuttle needed.
    Price: Approx. $225/per person

    With a boat:

    If you plan to drive and you are bringing a raft, a canoe or kayak along, you will need to meet us at the actual put-in for the river, Corn Creek Campground (please call and confirm this with our office). You will need to arrange for your vehicle to be shuttled from Corn Creek to Carey Creek (the take-out).

    Price: Approx. $425/per vehicle

    Take this Option If:

    • You live locally.
    • You are bringing your own vessel, canoe, kayak or raft.
    • You are making this river trip a portion of a longer trip in the Idaho region.

    Who makes the vehicle shuttle arrangements:  You do!

    Who makes the backcountry flight arrangements: We do!

    Still, have questions?

    If you have more questions about the options, the logistics, or you are still trying to decide which one makes the most sense for you? Give us a call anytime at (208) 634-4303, or email us at [email protected] to discuss logistics with us. We are always happy to help you determine what is the best option for you.

  2. River Guiding in China

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    The life of a river guide

    As I sit here on a cold, snowy, offseason morning in Idaho, I can’t but not think about how good life is.  Trying to recap this past season, and how it could quite possibly have been the “Best Season Ever!” I am lucky enough to spend seven months out of the year guiding in some of the most beautiful places in the world.  I get to wake up next to an amazing river each day and go to work. This past season I spent my spring and fall guiding for Arizona Raft Adventures in Grand Canyon, and the summer was spent guiding for Last Descents River Expeditions in Western China, and Canyons River Company here on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and Main Salmon River.  There’s been a lot of highlights, from seeing the Canyon in full desert bloom this spring to seeing the eclipse from trail hot springs on the Middle Fork to seeing a snow leopard on the Upper Mekong River, it’s been an awesome season. It’s definitely been one of the best! This August, I got home from two months on the Tibetan Plateau with Last Descents.  This was my fourth trip to China, and the second time to the Daqu River. We had an incredible summer guiding western and Chinese Guests on the Daqu River, home to China’s First National Park. It’s been a big year for Last Descents, and I want to tell you a little more about our organization.

    Last Descents River Expeditions

    Last Descents was founded by Travis Winn, an American who grew up on rivers in the US.  His dad, a geologist did a lot of exploratory work in China, primarily on rivers and often let his son come along on his expeditions.  Together they spent much of Travis childhood days paddling rivers in Western China. Travis fell in love with the area and decided he wanted to start a company that would take Chinese guests out on river trips in their homeland.  It is his mission to teach the Chinese how important it is to protect and conserve these wild places before dams and development take over. Travis and his wife, Weiyi, have been influential in inspiring the next generation of Chinese people to advocate for these wild places.

    Rafting seasons in China

    Last Descents has two different seasons throughout the year.  The first season is on the Salween (Nu-Jiang) River which is in SW China.  The Salween floats through the heart of rural China, and through one of China’s greatest watersheds.  The Salween is still free-flowing and remains one of the longest undammed rivers in the world. There is a great variety of whitewater on the Salween, and it is home to high volume, pool drop style rapids. Our Salween Season typically starts at the end of January and runs through February. The commercial trips on the Salween River are typically three or four days in length. There is incredible scenery and amazing whitewater on this stretch of whitewater.  We visit villages along the river that are only accessible by boat. The Salween is a great introductory river for our guests to whitewater and a great place for teaching kids how to kayak! For many of them, this river trip is their first time out of the city for a vacation in the outdoors.  Often most people are stepping out of their comfort zones, and it’s really great to watch these people change and become more comfortable throughout our time together on the river. The other season in China is on the Daqu River, which is high on the Tibetan Plateau. The Daqu is also known as the Upper Mekong River in China.  This season starts Mid June and runs through August. The Daqu flows from the Sacred Three Rivers Source Area in China, home to headwaters of the Yangtze, Mekong, and Yellow Rivers. It has a dramatic Himalayan landscape with a deeply-rooted Tibetan Buddhist culture. Our trips on the Daqu River start at 13,000 ft and are nine days long.  We experience totally different landscapes throughout our trip, from vibrant grasslands to red rock paradise, to granite gorges. The scenery here is amazing, and I think it just may be the most beautiful place I have ever been. In 2016 Last Descents was contracted by the Chinese Government to help write a National Park Plan centered around the Three Rivers Source.   And as of last winter, it officially became China’s first National Park. The park is named, Sanjiangyuan, which means the source of the three rivers. The creation of this park is a major move forward for the Chinese as we are seeing a shifting attitude towards protecting China’s National Resources. Last Descents has been working side by side with the Chinese Government, advising on how to effectively run and operate a National Park.  The Daqu is such an amazing place, and I am forever grateful for getting the chance to guide on this sacred river.  

    Kids and Kayaking

    One of my favorite parts about guiding for Last Descents is working with the Chinese kids (ages 6-18) that are members of our Kayaking Club. Our boss started a youth kayaking club in Beijing many years ago and throughout the fall and winter, he meets with them in a pool and teaches them the fundamentals of whitewater and paddling.  He is so passionate about teaching the next generation of whitewater enthusiasts how to kayak and to be good stewards in the outdoors. After a few pool sessions, these kids come to the river for a multiday trip with their families. These trips are so much fun to be on. We get to show the Chinese what river trips are all about!  I have been lucky enough to be on many trips with the original kayaking club members. All of these kids and their parents are hooked on whitewater. These kids have been on trips to the Salween and Daqu River in China, as well as on the Colorado River thru Grand Canyon and the Main Salmon! In 2015, the kayaking club came to the Main Salmon with Canyons River Company!!  And over the years, it has been so much fun to see these kids kayaking skills improve, as well as watching them grow up into smart, well-spoken young adults. It’s also been fun to see the kids graduate into bigger kayaks each time we see them!

    Our River Family

    It’s so inspiring to work Last Descents and to be a part of something so special.  There are many similarities between Last Descents and Canyons River Company that I love, but the biggest one being the Family atmosphere.  For those of you who have been on a Canyons trip, you know what I am talking about. Our crew is a tight-knit family that loves sharing the river with Chinese Guests! To have close friends to share the experience is nothing but the best!  I am forever grateful for the opportunity to guide in China, and already looking forward to the next Daqu Season! To find out more about Last Descents check out these links….

    Last Descents Website: http://www.lastdescents.info

    Chinese Guests on the Main Salmon with Canyons River Company – https://community.nrs.com/duct-tape/2016/05/06/the-chinese-experience-a-first-descent/

    Chinese Guests on the Main Salmon with Canyons River Company – https://vimeo.com/155197473

    Salween Spring Video: https://vimeo.com/159848031

    https://www.canoekayak.com/news/environment/the-salween-river-threatened-paddling-classics/

    http://www.kayaksession.com/sanjiangyuan-chinas-first-river-focused-national-park/

    The River Guide: https://vimeo.com/229009693?from=outro-embed

    Protecting Sanjiangiang National Park: https://vimeo.com/228889501

    Photo and videos by Jonah Grub and David Spiegel

    BLOG written by Kelli O’Keefe

  3. 5 Reasons to paddle a small craft

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    Choose your own adventure

    Mornings on the Middle Fork and the Main Salmon Rivers come with some tough decisions; pancakes or homemade coffee cake; SPF 15 or 30; inflatable kayak, stand up paddle board or the inflatable whale pool toy? Whether you are an experienced kayaker or a first-time river goer, there are a variety of different options for how to experience a day of whitewater. While the inflatable whale (or alligator, or puppy), is generally best enjoyed in the gentlest of flatwater, the inflatable kayaks, hard shell kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddle boards are an exciting, engaging and splashy way to experience the river, under your own power.

    1- Something for Everyone

    With more small craft offerings than any other Salmon River outfitter, we have an option for every river goer. Never done a river trip before? No problem, we encourage you to try an inflatable kayak, also referred to as a “Ducky”. Not sure you want to paddle through the rapids? Each morning we will let you know what type of whitewater we’ll be paddling that day so that you can know exactly what to expect and when. For the adventurous duo, try the double ducky, a two-seater adventure craft that never fails to bring a little extra excitement!

    We also bring along an inflatable stand up paddleboard (SUP), a versatile vessel that is as equally enjoyable in flat water as it is in whitewater! Whether you are working on your headstand in the big eddies of the Main Salmon, tackling the biggest rapid of the day, or just starting to explore what it feels like to literally walk on water, the SUP is an endlessly entertaining craft that is fun for all abilities. Typically, we only provide SUP’s on the Main Salmon due to the nature of the river and the depth of the water.

    2- Variety is the Spice of Life

    Not sure you want to commit to a small craft for the whole day? Well, you don’t have to. The beauty of the small craft is just that – it’s small, and swapping out your vessel is always an option. Our guide team makes a point to touch base with everyone throughout the day, checking to make sure you are comfortable and happy in your craft. If at any time you want out, just say the word and we’ll find you a new ride.

    Some people paddle their craft for the entire trip, while others sample a variety of crafts, for a morning here and an afternoon there. Try something new. See the river from an alternate perspective. Revel in the excitement of captaining your own ship, or paddleboard, or whale. Choose your own adventure, in the comfort of our guidance!

    3-Whatever Floats Your Boat

    Looking for an option that we don’t already have? Bring your own! Though our arsenal of small crafts is pretty darn robust, we are all about BYOB (as in boat). Bring that new playboat you’ve been wanting to try out or your comfy new river runner. Not a kayaker? Bring your favorite cataraft, raft, canoe or Shredder. Is traveling with your kayak too expensive? Or perhaps you really want to paddle something new? Then paddle one of ours. Check out our Kayak Fleet, (also available on our website). Use of our kayaks is complimentary for our guests. We do however ask that you bring all of your own paddling gear.

    4-We’ve Got Your Back

    We will give you all of the tools you need to succeed in your small craft, no prior experience necessary (except for hard shell kayakers and canoeists). At the start of each trip, we give a detailed (and entertaining), step-by-step demonstration on how to rock your time in the ducky, paddle raft, oar rig, or SUP. And throughout the whole trip, our stoked and supportive guide team is here to offer encouragement, pointers, advice, positive reinforcement and safety. We know trying something new can be intimidating. That is why we create a safe, fun and educational space in which you can try something new, that you might not otherwise feel comfortable trying. From kayak roll practice to detailed ducky beta, our guides are masters of many crafts and ready to help you make the most of the vessel of your choosing.

    5-Carpe Diem

    Whether for a chill afternoon of calm water, or an exciting rapid, paddling your own craft means you experience the river in the most personal, hands-on way possible. In a fun, safe, and exciting environment, learn the basics of whitewater as you navigate the river and pilot your own vessel down the Middle Fork or Main Salmon Rivers. Expand your whitewater skill set with the expertise of our guides. Push your boundaries! And the best part? Share your small craft stories with your river family at the end of the day!

    Want a little more information on all of the possible boat options? Our Boat Choices page gives a great overview of everything we offer from the oar rigs to our kayak fleet. We can’t wait to get on the river with you, in whatever vessel you choose!

  4. LGBTQ community rafting adventure.

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    What is the LGBTQ community trip?

    Here at Canyons, we are big believers in the river as a place of acceptance and love, an environment in which everyone can be themselves, knowing that they are welcomed by a supportive and loving community. That’s why this year we are celebrating our 15th annual LGBTQ community trip, a joyful celebration of diversity, love, acceptance, and of course, the Main Salmon River.

    This six-day trip down the Main Salmon River is a truly unique way to spend time with yourself and other people, sharing space, appreciating the outdoors and embracing the calming effect of being completely unplugged. It’s a tradition that we’ve held dear for a while now, a journey that connects people, who are ready to share their stories with one another in one of the most beautiful and nurturing environments in the world. With all of the classic elements of a Canyons river trip, our 2020 LGBTQ trip is ‘Wine and Whitewater’ themed, with a special guest sommelier, at the helm. This LGBTQ river adventure offers a unique opportunity to be present in the glorious Wilderness of Central Idaho, to make stories, and to explore the river. It’s a journey that allows you to be yourself, smile, laugh and have the freedom to let go of inhibitions and boundaries, knowing that there is will be no judgment, only acceptance!

    Who’s invited?

    EVERYONE!
    As with all of our trips, LOVE and ACCEPTANCE are key Canyons’ values. All of our trips are open to everyone: men, women, straight or gay, but our LGBTQ trip is unique as a celebration of acceptance and a coming together as a tribe on the river.

    Never done an overnight rafting trip? No problem. Never slept outside? Even better! You will never believe how comfortable river life can be! No previous experience in whitewater or the outdoors is necessary; if the idea of sleeping under the stars, enjoying beautiful hikes, admiring incredible scenery and wildlife, eating well, drinking fabulously, and bonding with your new river family gives you goosebumps, we are psyched to have you!

    What can I expect?

    Epic scenery, fun whitewater, amazing food, delicious wine, and an unforgettable community of fun-loving, accepting, and supportive characters! Our trips provide a range of crafts and a variety of opportunities for guests to enjoy their time on the river, from laid-back oar rigs to the hands-on paddle raft, to your very own inflatable kayak or a stand-up paddleboard.

    Once we get to camp, we get the party started. Your guides morph from expert river navigators to Michelin starred chefs, whipping up five-star cuisine based on local, fresh ingredients, featuring regional specialties, in the most scenic “kitchen” you can imagine. Each dish is paired expertly with Old World and New World wines, by our Sommelier, who brings knowledge and zest for the art of winemaking that will make you thirsty to expand your palette. End your night sleeping under the stars, with the sound of the river promising an incredible journey ahead of you.

    Why does Canyons offer an LGBTQ community trip?

    This trip is a welcoming opportunity to experience an incredible wilderness area, meet like-minded individuals, and expand your horizons with the support of the Team Canyons. We encourage you to push your personal boundaries in a safe space, supported by a loving community of friends. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our differences and our similarities while enjoying the incredible, nourishing experience of spending six days on the river.

    The world of outdoor adventure can be intimidating, especially for those who may feel that they don’t fit into what the stereotypes of a “typical” outdoor recreationalist are. This trip opens the door to a special experience that is both exciting and challenging, with the knowledge that you are surrounded by a supportive team, who welcomes you, as you are.

    “It is a trip that we do now as a company because I feel it helps represent a little of who we are as a loving family. I was ever changed by CANYONS and still continue that journey. Nothing has taught me more about being human. This is why we do this trip and celebrate the coming together of two very special communities.” ~Greg McFadden (owner/operator/guide)

    How did this trip come to exist?

    Canyons is proudly Gay Owned and Operated since 2010 and has offered gay rafting since 2004. Guide and Owner Greg McFadden is a strong advocate of the life-changing power of the river to lift up this special community, helping one another to experience the powerful forces of nature, as we work through our own differences and personal challenges.

    “Because of its healing resound, I always knew that the river could help people. It has helped me learn how to live, how to connect, how to nourish, how to survive, and just how to be. There is no comparison. These lessons dovetail into the LGBTQ community so perfectly. The river community is all about creating a family, looking out for one another, and lifting each other up. This is what saved me. Not just the experience on the river but the people that are drawn to it.” ~Greg McFadden (Owner)

    As a team, we advocate acceptance and equality in everything that we do and in ALL aspects of our business. As an equal opportunity employer, our staff represents a balance of gender, choice, age, wisdom, intellect, and creativity.

    Why do this trip?

    • Expand your horizons with the support of a like-minded, fun-loving, accepting community.
    • Celebrate wilderness and diversity in a welcoming, relaxed, and BEAUTIFUL environment.
    • Eat amazing food, drink fantastic wine.
    • Enjoy the scenic hikes, natural hot springs, and incredible wildlife of this wilderness area.
    • Push your boundaries and discover the fun of whitewater, cheered, and supported by your river tribe.
    • Revel in the camaraderie of river life, the LGBTQ community, and the Canyons family

    Join us!

    Book LGBTQ 2022

    Questions about 2023 LGBTQ trips? Contact Us.

    More questions? Contact us at [email protected]

    We love sharing this very special trip with our Canyons family, and we invite you to join the tribe!

    We can’t wait to share the river with you!

  5. Multi-generational family adventure

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    Main Salmon Rafting Trips

    Six days of blissful beach camping, big water rafting, and
    classic Idaho mountain scenery.

    A Main Salmon Rafting trip combines everything you need in a multi-day rafting vacation and is the perfect multi-generational family adventure. Exciting big-water rapids connect serene meanders through this deep canyon. Enormous beaches around every corner and steep granite cliffs line the shores while groves of massive old-growth ponderosa pines perch on steep and rocky ledges or provide peaceful shade at camps. The Main Salmon River captures the beauty of Idaho’s wilderness perfectly for all ages, interests, and abilities.

    As you float through the depths of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, you’ll gaze at hillsides full of endless old growth forests, wildflowers, and fire mosaics. Your guides will tell stories of a rich human history, of intrepid explorers and lost generations of miners and pioneers who established the historical sites you may visit or glimpse along the way. Early homesteaders worked hard to see these extraordinary canyons. Luckily, your trip will include exquisite meals, cozy camping, and almost zero worries.

    Main Salmon Whitewater:

    The Friendliest Big Water in the West

    The Main Salmon’s fun and friendly whitewater rapids will kick up your adrenaline. Whether you ride in a raft with one of our professional guides or choose to take on the exciting challenge of paddling your own inflatable kayak, you’ll think you were on a roller coaster. Deep pool-drop rapids allow for you to challenge yourself and then rest during the gentle pools in between the rapids. Mostly, you’ll enjoy the refreshing splash of getting wet on hot Idaho summer days. Filled with its own unmatched beauty, wildness, and adventure, the Main Salmon River creates an experience unique to itself and very different from that of its largest tributary, the Middle Fork.

    A Hidden Multi-day Rafting Gem:

    It is easy to fall in love with the relaxed pace, warmer waters, and grand white sandy beaches of the Main Salmon River. Abundant wildlife including moose, black bear, bighorn sheep, and eagles, reside within the canyon walls. Historic ranches with tales of early homesteaders, miners, and intrepid river explorers dot the river, providing a rich cultural element to your multi-day Idaho rafting trip. Camp life includes surprisingly large beaches with huge swimmable eddies, glittering side creeks, and hiking trails that lead to spectacular ridgetop vistas. And of course, the rafting is
    superb with fun, high volume Class III+ IV- whitewater. The surfing and kayak play is unbelievable for any skill level. The Main Salmon’s friendly rapids are fun for everyone! Multiple routes through the rapids allow for paddlers of all abilities to choose between a wild ride or a more conservative line. The friendly nature of this river also provides for amazing Stand-Up Paddleboarding. Try your skills SUPing around the eddy at camp, through the many pools between the drops or down the drops (a.k.a. rapids) themselves. The Main Salmon River rafting trip is simply awesome and is a fabulous multi-generational getaway.Whether you’re in the midst of a rapid or sitting in camp staring up at one of the deepest canyons in North America, there is excitement and enjoyment for everyone.

    Main Salmon River Rafting Trip Details

    DISTANCE:

    ● High water, 94 miles
    ● Low water, 81 miles
    ● Average gradient: 12 ft/mile

    DIFFICULTY:

    ● Big water class III with some class IV

    AVERAGE DAILY FLOW:

    ● June 27,500 c.f.s.
    ● July 9,600 c.f.s.
    ● August 4,700 c.f.s.

    Age & Skill Level

    You don’t need prior rafting experience or skills to enjoy a Main Salmon River trip with us. We
    recommend a minimum age of six to enjoy this great family-friendly multi-day river trip. With no
    upper age limit, we encourage families to make this vacation a multi-generational one.
    Guests should realize that the higher, colder waters of early June are more challenging than
    later summer levels. The early-season weather here in Central Idaho can be inclement. For these
    reasons, we do not recommend the early-season period for families with young children. A
    minimum age guideline for early June is around twelve years old and does depend on water
    levels, which vary from season to season. We do recommend that you be in good health and
    consult your physician with any health questions or concerns prior to taking a wilderness trip of
    this sort.

    Dates & Rates

    Written by Susan Elliot with Wild River Life

  6. One Degree of Separation

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    Finding my River Family.

    The Hook

    I found out early in my guiding career just how small and connected the river
    rafting community is. It all started when I returned to college after my first summer
    guiding in Moab. I moved in with a couple of other raft guides, and that whole school
    year was full of random river guides coming to town. In between them denting our
    couch at night, we hiked peaks, skied powder, and drank beer. The one constant was
    spinning yarns about high water, crazy adventures, and the big river personalities.
    School breaks during spring and fall were spent either on river trips or on desert
    adventures. Each trip included fun and debauchery, with ever more river friends of
    river friends. And so my river family grew.

    The Line

    My final credits needed for college were earned from a summer-long internship
    with a nonprofit river company called SPLORE.
    Through the smiles and trials of taking hundreds of people with disabilities on rivers,
    and living communally in a small house, deep river bonds were formed. I only made $150
    dollars that summer, but fortunately still count some of those guides as my closest friends.
    As we all dispersed back to our homes around the country that fall, we all knew our web of
    river friends was larger and stronger.

    The Sinker

    A couple of years later I took a gig floating boats in Idaho. I didn’t know any boaters in
    the whole state, but as I migrated north, I wasn’t worried. I already knew how it was to
    be part of the river community, and new partners in crime would be easy to find.
    While driving shuttles, rowing boats, and drinking beer around campfires, we found
    many more examples of the tightness of the river community. It turns out that we all knew
    someone who knew someone… Soon we were all thick as thieves, and the good
    times rolled.

    The Bob

    My time between the river and the ski seasons was spent adventuring around the west or
    adventuring abroad. Linking together visits with river kin and playing various sports until
    the snow fell or melted was the goal. A random phone call or email could lead to a fun
    day hike, as easily as a three-week river trip. Meeting a river person in the “big
    ditch” led to uttering the nickname “Gasman” to a Nepali guide, which led to another
    three-weeks of boating in the Himalaya. Drinking a beer at a river take-it-out in
    Mexico with a buddy (I met in Nepal) led to a week spent in a paddleboat providing
    “safety” for a river guiding course. A connection from that trip led to a phone call
    that began “Can you be at Lee’s Ferry in 5 days”? Around and around the
    connections went and through it, the web of river people grew larger and
    stronger.

    The Big Fish

    Throughout the years I have “grown up” a bit and now even have a non-boating
    career. Yet still, I seek out regular escapades with river people from my past. I now
    treasure my time spent hanging out in my river web more than ever. Even
    nowadays my web still grows with every trip and campfire. Even though I don’t
    need to be reminded, quite regularly some random interaction leads to a laugh, and once
    again an old story is repeated. The smiles around the circle of friends remind
    me of how small and tight the world of river people is… Rivers are amazing things that
    help you get to the soul of things and of people. The bonds they create are strong and
    lasting. I am so proud and humbled to be a part of the river people tribe. I always look
    forward to the next call from an old friend, as I know it will always lead to good times,
    smiles, and most likely a couple more additions to my river family…

    Tyler Knibbe
    River Guide

  7. Historical figures on the Main Salmon River

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    5 Intrepid homesteaders & explorers of the Main Salmon River

    Foundations buried in sandbars, overgrown orchards, and rock inscriptions hint at the early
    expedition days into the Salmon River canyon. Today, several ranches and cabins remain,
    some occupied by caretakers and some left to fade back into the natural landscape. The
    evidence of previous homesteads begins to create a picture of the lure that the river had for
    Americans hell-bent on living their own way. On your next trip on the Main Salmon River,
    take a moment to learn more about these 5 historical figures, bringing a new dimension and
    appreciation to this special multi-day river trip.

    1. Johnny McKay

    Johnny McKay, an early Salmon River hermit, and explorer escaped into the solitary canyon
    after his wife died at one of his mills. Her dress caught in the machinery and she was crushed. A
    heartbroken McKay left the business and began to seek solitude while floating the dangerous
    and difficult Main Salmon River rapids. Inscriptions can be found at Barth hot springs that date
    his 1872, 1905 and 1911 trips down the Main Salmon, although it is thought that he made the
    trip at least 20 different times until 1920. Some believe his 1872 journey was the first successful
    descent of the canyon. He would take 1-3 years for each trip, steering a scow, i.e.
    sweep boat, downstream. These boats were typically thirty-two feet long, eight feet wide and
    three feet tall. The ample space could be filled with supplies for the expedition, or goods to sell to
    canyon residents along the way.

    2. Captain Guleke

    Captain Guleke ran some of the first flat-bottomed sweep scow boats in the Salmon River
    drainage that carried passengers and cargo. He was known as one of the best boatman the
    river had ever seen, completing as many as 200 trips down the Main Salmon River. His first
    journey was in 1896. He then made a business of taking people down the canyon, charging
    $1,000 per person. The hefty price could be the equivalent of $10,000 today—a good bit more
    than the cost of a commercial trip. Guleke even navigated a sweep boat all the way to Portland
    along the Salmon, Snake and Columbia Rivers.

    3. Polly Bemis

    Smuggled into the United States as a young Chinese girl and sold as a slave to a wealthy
    Chinese man in the mining town of Warren, Idaho, the young Polly Bemis began to make her
    mark on the Salmon River valley in 1872. Mysteries surround much of her life. It is unknown
    how she gained her freedom from her owner, and whether she eventually married Charlie Bemis
    for love or for convenience. The couple set up shop on a bar along the Main Salmon River. It is
    known that she saved his life twice, and outlived him, while continuing to live on this rugged
    terrain for decades after. Her sense of humor, charismatic attitude and intrepid lust for life kept
    her as a vital role in the community and character of the river until her death in 1933.

    4. Sylvan Hart, or “Buckskin Bill”

    Buckskin Bill’s museum at Five-mile Bar really says it all. This mountain man put down his river
    roots in 1929 and carved a true mountain lifestyle for himself. For only a dollar, he settled on
    fifty acres of riverside land, building not only a two-story house and blacksmith shop but also
    various defense structures such as a stone turret and bomb shelter. He crafted his own knives and guns for
    hunting and defense, much of which was directed at the Federal Government when rumors of
    eviction spread after the passing of the Wilderness Act. Buckskin Bill died on his property at the
    age of 73 in 1980.

    5. Jim Moore

    Jim Moore’s hand-hewn log cabins scattered across his property are a testament to the amount of
    time he spent at his riverside home. Originally occupying the land with a mining claim, Moore
    soon saw the economic benefit of providing goods and services to other miners seeking a
    fortune on the Salmon River and in 1898 he began to build cabins on his land. His orchards
    produce fruit to this day, greatly pleasing the local black bear population, and rumor has it that
    gold may be buried somewhere on site. The header picture for this blog was taken at his homestead.

    This BLOG was written by Susan Elliot. She and her husband Adam Elliot created Wild River Life and are celebrating Wild and Scenic Rivers in honor of the 50 year anniversary of the Wild and Scenic River Act in 2018. Check out their two-year voyage throughout the country as they explore 50 Wild and Scenic Rivers. Canyons had the pleasure of hosting Susan on the Main Salmon in August of 2017, as one of the 50 Wild & Scenic Rivers that Wild River Life is highlighting.

    Did you know? The Main Salmon is a designated a Wild and Scenic River!

    Photo by Susan Elliot

  8. Canyons’ Cornbread Casserole

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    An award-winning recipe!

    Have you been on a Canyons trip and absolutely loved the cornbread? Or are you lucky enough to stumble across this BLOG? Well, either way, today is your lucky day. Susan Bechdel has shared her father’s recipe with Canyons’ guests since 1985. For all of you out there that can’t resist a good cornbread, here is the recipe for the best cornbread casserole you may ever have. It won Grand Prize in the 2017 Dutch Oven cookoff in Riggins, Idaho at the Big Water Blowout, up against a lot of spectacular dishes. This is a staple on our Canyons’ menu and a must have in your recipe roll-a-dex. It is the most asked about and sought after dish that we serve on our trips. Come and experience it for yourself in the beautiful Frank Church Wilderness on the Middle Fork and the Main Salmon Rivers.

    Ingredients:

    This recipe serves approx. 6-8 people.

    • Marie Calendar cornbread mix—-2 bags
    • Yellow Onion—-2
    • Chopped Green Chilies–11 oz can
    • Eggs—-2
    • Butter—-1/2 stick
    • Creamed Corn (14.75 oz cans)—-2 cans
    • Sour Cream 16oz—- 1/2 or more if you want
    • Grated Cheddar Cheese—-1/2 pound
    • 1/4-1/2 cup milk or water (don’t need much)

    ***For a dairy-free option, substitute olive oil for butter and leave out the cheese and sour cream. Or substitute goat cheese chevre for sour cream, and feta or pecorino for cheddar. All delicious options.

    ***For a Gluten Free option substitute Gluten Free cornbread mix and add another egg.

    Instructions:

    1. Pre-heat oven to 375
    2. Saute onions and chilies in butter.
    3. Mix cornbread, creamed corn, milk/H2O, and egg.
    4. Put sautéed onions and chilies in the bottom of the dutch oven or casserole dish (something with a lid).
    5. Pour the batter over top.
    6. Dollop sour cream around entire dish (swirl if you like or leave as fun sour cream bomb surprises).
    7. Top with grated cheddar cheese.
    8. Put the lid on and bake until cornbread is cooked through but still moist (about 45 minutes- 1 hour). Take the lid off to crisp the cheese towards the end. If you are cooking this traditional Dutch Oven style, add more coals to the top.
    UMMMMMMMMM………ENJOY!!!!!!

    Are you a foodie? Check out our FOOD & WINE trip on the Main Salmon.

  9. And the river runs through it….

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    In the golden glow of morning light, a poem pulls our circle in tighter:

     

    “….. the hush takes us by ears and leads us to the river,

    where sunlight pierces the heart and illuminates

    the rocks and whatever falls for a moment into the flow.”

    – from “The Constancy of Rivers”

    by Eric Shaffer

    What pulls each of us into that flow?

    This summer, as I was pulled into the flow, I dwelled on this question.  My first trip was guided by love.  A wedding trip, the real wedding, with bride, groom and 22 of their best friends there to celebrate.  Nearly all on the trip were young whitewater kayakers, technical creek boaters from North Carolina and Georgia. Ready to paddle hard and party harder.  The night of vows occurred the last night, deep in the heart of the Impassable Canyon. Granite walls rose vertically above the roar of Lower Cliffside rapid, boulders strewn amongst the waves.  The lovers found an untouched beach, a gift of the high water and heavy snows. Friends gathered, clustered together within the totems of balanced rocks, driftwood, and Syringa. Officiant: equal parts magisterial and mischievous.  Groom: beaming, genuine to the heart.  Bride: barefoot, elegant, saintly. As promises were made and kisses and rings exchanged, all of our hearts melted, the river applauded approval and in an instant, the current of love swept us all into her folds.  

    Love!

    Love connected the guests on my second trip of the summer as well. But this time, love for living, for nature, for all things wild, and for the friendship between others who value the same. The majority of the guests were reuniting as friends who met in the 70s, working for the Forest Service out of central Idaho. Inarguably knowledgeable, these wilderness gurus shared their passions with us. Floating downstream and socializing along the banks, I heard stories of land plot surveys, Ponderosa pine fire ecology, progressive farming techniques, wild orchid varieties (Epipactis gigantea) and outdoor education for children.  Beyond the Forest Service cohort, another family came.  A 30+-year-old high school friendship with our outfitter, Greg McFadden. Both sets of guests this trip came in celebration of beating cancer, in the pure joy of living.  These middle-aged adults approached each day, each wave, each new plant species with passion and curiosity.  With one another, they laughed as they told stories, and laughed harder as they made them.  Just as during my first trip, I was moved by what our guests brought to their experience, and what they shared so freely with me.

    And what was it that brought me into this flow?

    For over twenty years now, I’ve spent the majority of my summers on Idaho’s rivers.  Last summer was the first season that I didn’t return. Instead, I dove headfirst into the new adventures of motherhood.  My husband Neal and I have found ways to weave the river into our family time. From camping riverside with our son Lucas in his first months of life to taking him on his first 1-day rafting trip, to leaving him with my parents Les and Susan, as we shared a week on the river together.  I know it is only a matter of time until Lucas is creating his own memories and meaning, tied to the river.  And as we each journey through what life throws our way — be it, children, careers or a myriad of challenges, we can choose to relish in the positive, in love, light, and learning.  And wherever we may be on that journey, the river is there, flowing steady and constant, ready to receive us, ready to welcome us home.

    Laura Bechdel, 2017

    Guide, Mother, Educator