Idaho's Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rafting

Choosing an Outfitter

2008-05-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

If there is one thing true in today's tech-savvy world it is this: a slick website can make anyone look good. Thus, judging one outfitter verse another via their websites can be a daunting task. This is especially true if you are new to the activity or haven’t received a recommendation from friends. Every season, at least one major magazine or newspaper publishes a “how to pick an outfitter” article chock full of softball questions that don’t accomplish much. With some time to kill at the Boise airport, I asked myself: What five REAL questions would I ask outfitters if I knew nothing about them?

#5. Can you send me your menu?
Any entree that contains the word “imitation” is a bad sign. Canned three bean salad is a bad sign.

#4. If I can’t go with your outfit, who would you suggest I call?
Great companies don’t hesitate to recommend other great companies. The best ones are often full and want you to have the best trip possible and will tend to recommend peers.

#3. What is your company’s policy about your staff using tobacco products?

#2. What do you charge?
Be suspicious of low prices and curious about high prices. There are only so many ways to save money in outfitting. Guide to passenger ratios, guide wages (you want well paid, knowledgeable guides), food costs, length of trip. Prices substantially below the norm are red flags.

#1. What kind of wine do you provide and where does it come from?
In my opinion, this is one of the best questions you can ask and it will tell you a lot about the care and detail that goes into an outfitter's planning. Idaho is not on the list of the world's famous wine regions. This is one of those attention to detail queries and deserves a good answer beyond “we serve the best from Idaho.” Even if you don't drink wine, ask the question.

Julie and Beau - Tying the Knot!

2008-04-16T10:08:00.001-07:00

Julie Guthrie and Beau Larkin are tying the knot! Julie has been an Idaho River Journeys guide since 2002 and Beau guides for Rogue River Journeys and has also run a trip on the Main Salmon with IRJ.

After five wonderful years of friendship and two memorable years of courtship the couple will be married this June in Montana. Julie and Beau met in a University of Montana program that focused on American land and resource use and how to strengthen the communities we live in. As the two of them explored these ideas, it brought them closer together as they learned and shared. Three years of close friendship followed and their time was filled with hiking, boating, plant and bird spotting, and music appreciation.

Several years back, however, things took a turn as they decided their friendship had some real relationship potential. Beau popped the question at a beautiful dinner last May just before Julie left for guiding season. It was a long summer apart with a happy reunion in August full of excitement as the two started planning their wedding.

The ceremony will take place nestled in the foothills of the Mission Mountains overlooking Flathead Lake, a beautiful place that is special to both of them.

The couple plans to honeymoon at Chico Hot Springs and float the Flathead River. Beau will then go work another season on the Rogue while Julie takes her first year in seven years off from guiding and focuses on her new career as a nurse.

From all of Idaho River Journeys, congratulations to Julie and Beau!

July 24th Middle Fork Launch Date

2008-04-15T23:26:00.000-07:00

July 24th is normally one of our most popular launch dates on the Middle Fork. This year, however, we have lots of space available on this trip. If you would like to join us for America's premier rafting vacation on one of our most popular trip dates, call us today at 1-888-997-8399. Typical river flows are great this time of year and the weather and temperatures cannot be beaten.

July 24th is a perfect date for:
• Families with children of all ages
• Those looking for great whitewater
• Fly fishing (normally begins to get spectacular this time of year)
• People who want to kayak or just relax in an oar boat
• Those who LOVE the sun
• Hiking and exploring
• and many other reasons!

Don't let this trip slip away, it will fill up and we want you on it!

Snowpack Report from Idaho

2008-04-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

We attended a Middle Fork of the Salmon outfitter meeting in Stanley, Idaho this week. The mountains are covered in snow and the valley itself has one of the deepest snowpacks we’ve seen in years. The official snowpack is about 108% of average but it looks like a lot more.

If you’ve been waiting for a big water year, this is it. Our season gets underway with a 4-day Middle Fork trip on June 3 followed by a combination Middle Fork/Main trip on June 12. That one covers 185 miles in only 6 days. Hang on! Click here to view our the entire 2008 schedule of trips.

If you like guessing what the peak high water flow will be, there is a contest at www.MiddleForkContest.com. Enter the contest to win a bunch of cool prizes!

Recent Sighting

2008-03-29T16:33:00.000-07:00

Thunder River, Grand Canyon National Park:

Send us pictures of you and your IRJ merchandise and we'll put it up on our blog!

Snow, snow, and snow!

2008-02-12T20:24:00.000-08:00

The west is getting snow; and a lot of it! Things are looking great for our summer Idaho season. With a high snow pack and more on the way, this could be the first big water year in a few years. Reserve your spot today on our famous "combo" trip.

The Combo Trip is a 6-day adventure down both the Middle Fork AND Main Salmon. This trip is nearly 185 miles long and can only happen with stout river flows. Because of the high snow pack percentage, we have scheduled a Combo Trip for June 12. It has been a few years since our last one and demand is always high for it, so if you are a big-water addict, give us a ring today! 1-888-997-8399

By the way, snow isn't keeping some boaters off the water. Ryan Morgan, Danielle Morgan, Dan Thurber and Will Volpert enjoyed a fun day on the Wind River in Washington this last weekend. Brrrr!:

Rare crew opening on the Middle Fork

2008-02-07T13:40:00.001-08:00

For the first time in years, we have an opening on our crew for one more guide. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, has guiding experience on other multi-day river trips, and simply loves being on the river. Give us a ring if you want to become part of our team. 1-888-997-8399.

Happy Boating!

Getting back into the whitewater...

2007-11-19T19:49:00.000-08:00

Idaho River Journeys' guides Will Volpert, Chip Carroll, and Ursula Melvin just got off a 2-day Illinois river trip in Southern Oregon. They just sent us a video of their groups run at Green Wall rapid, mile 18 into the trip:

Enjoy!

-Team IRJ

Freebirds Delivery - A Guide's Dream

2007-10-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

When he is not guiding during the summer, Matt Volpert is supposed to be hard at work in the library at UC Santa Barbara. Not anymore. Although he is still a student, this Fall was the opening season for Matt's new business: Freebirds Delivery. The idea was sparked last Winter when Matt and some friends were up late at night craving the burritos that Freebirds (a local restaurant in SB) has to offer. Alas, with no delivery capabilities, the starving students went to bed, well, starving. "If only the delivered..." thought Matt.

This week marks the first time Freebirds has ever delivered. Check out this article on the front page of the UC Santa Barbara campus newspaper to find out more about Matt's business. Hopefully this summer we'll be able to get Matt back on the boats but until then, good luck buddy!

Below: Matt the Entrepreneur:

Thanks for joining us this summer...

2007-09-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

To all of you who joined us on the Middle Fork or Main Salmon this summer, thanks for making the trips and our time on the river so memorable. Hope to see all of you on the river again in the near future.

August 17-22, 2007 Middle Fork / Lower Salmon Trip

2007-08-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

Due to closures on the Middle Fork, this weeks trip was moved to the Lower Salmon where we joined forces with our friends from Hughes River Expeditions. IRJ's eight customers and two guides, Tom and Will, joined Hughes guides Ryan, Bob, and Joel, as well as their customers for an expedition down the Lower Salmon. Crystal clear skies, spectacular "big volume" whitewater, and stunning scenery made the trip an excellent one.

Camps:
Day 1: Woodruff Gulch
Day 2: No-name camp upstream from Packers Creek
Day 3: Maloney Creek
Day 4: Skeleton Creek
Day 5: Geneva Bar

Ryan on the guitar, night 2:

The awesome paddle crew, day 4:

4th night camp:

Day 5, just some more great views:

Mindy and Jeff in the kayaks:

Day 1 lunch stop:

Jeff testing out the oars:

Greg, taking it easy in the kayak:

Mindy and the boys:

Evan kayaking:

Daniel in the kayak:

Bottom of China Rapid, day 4:

The HRE "Bud Light" clan:

"California Bob" and his party boat:

Thanks for the great trip!

August 9-14, 2007 Middle Fork Trip

2007-08-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

Another week at the office, aka the Middle Fork of the Salmon, ended with 30 new friends telling spectacular stories, eating great food and sipping wine while relaxing along the banks of the Middle Fork at Otter Bar. Thank you for the spectacular week on the river.

Guides:
Tom T.
Kevin
J.T. M.
Will V.
Skip V.
Julie G.
Jo S.

Camps:
Day 1: Stateland Right
Day 2: Loon Creek
Day 3: Johnny Walker
Day 4: Wollard
Day 5: Otter Bar

The "A-Team" paddle crew:

The "Box Game":

Group shot of the hiking crew, day 3:

Ready to push off from Otter Bar, day 6:

J.T. and Skip getting ready for some sweepin':

Exploring the canyon:

Kevin climbing, day 3:

Day 2 paddle crew:

Roberto rowing above the "B":

Testing out the oars:

Relaxing on day 1:

J.T. through Tappan 2:

Looking back through Tappan Canyon:

Camp at Wollard, day 4:

August 1-6, 2007 Middle Fork Trip

2007-08-06T21:20:00.000-07:00

Another great trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Good fishing, cool temperatures, and fun water made the experience great. With the addition of spectacular people and conversation, this weeks trip will certainly be memorable. Stories were certainly the theme of this trip, from Trevor and Bill's wild (yet perhaps believable) tales from the oceans to the infamous story of Charlie Norton, the stories from this trip helped create a strong bond between trip participants and friendships that won't soon be forgotten. Thank you all for the great trip, it truly was memorable.

Your guides:
Tom Tremain
Jo Schroeder
Julie Guthrie
Beth Carlson
Will Volpert
Matt Volpert
Skip Volpert

Campsites:
Day 1: Stateland Right
Day 2: Shelf
Day 3: Funston
Day 4: Driftwood
Day 5: Cliffside

Mike and Chris hanging out at Driftwood camp, day 4:

Edward finds his true passion - the River Box Game:

Julien prepares himself for the big rapids:

The "A" cook crew:

Billy kayaking at Driftwood, day 4:

Box game, day 4:

Tommy T at Waterfall Creek:

Brother and sister relaxing time:

The group continues downstream after the Flying "B":

Our guide, Edward, demonstrates proper rowing technique:

Joan, Richard, and Julie hang out just a few bends from the confluence:

It's a full boat - Edward, Julien, Will, and Jo head back to camp:

Relaxing at camp:

Long-time river guide Julie G finds time to flash a smile:

Floating on downstream:

Mike and Edward slaying the fish:

"A-team" paddle crew:

July 24-29, 2007 Middle Fork Trip

2007-07-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Small groups on the Middle Fork can be rewarded with incredible camps that are not normally used because of space issues. This last week, our group of nine (including guides Jo, Will, and Skip) had the opportunity to camp at some great small-site camps. Our last two nights were spent below Big Creek deep within Impassable Canyon. Our group size allowed us the flexibility to essentially do whatever it was we wished. This meant kayaking adventures down Loon Creek and Big Creek, fishing up Big Creek, lots of hikes, and lots of relaxing time. To put it simply, it was another great week on the river with great folks and new memories.

Campsites:
Night 1: Upper Jackass
Night 2: Cow Camp
Night 3: Trail
Night 4: Big Pine
Night 5: Solitude

Here are a few shots from the trip, I hope you all enjoy them:

View from the White Creek Pack Bridge (day 2):

Fishing Big Creek:

Bull Snake at Veil Falls:

Camping at Big Pine:

Daniel, morning of day 5:

James gets a darn sucker fish:

Glen kayaking Haystack Rapid:

Holli and James, day 1:

James kayaking through Haystack:

Joan seeking the big trout:

Joan and Glen on the scramble up to Veil Falls:

Kayaking below Waterfall Creek Rapid:

Chris and his favorite boat:

Chris and Daniel kayaking Big Creek:

Hiking the kayaks up Loon Creek:

Night 5, Skip versus Will, Elephant Croquet:

Skip, waking up on the morning of day 5:

Tappan Falls, day 3:

Thanks everyone for a great trip!

-Will V, Jo S, and Skip V

A note about this blog...

2007-07-30T05:37:00.000-07:00

Pictures are normally worth a thousand words. On the Middle Fork, forget all about that saying because you could not describe the beauty of this place if given an infinite word count. Throughout the course of this summer I have been trying to capture the essence of our trips: the character of our incredible guides, the amazing people we take down the river, the families and groups that find true bonding along its banks, and, of course, the river itself - its canyon, crystal clear water, and mind boggling scenery.

Although it may be impossible to capture exactly what the canyon feels like or what emotions run through ones body as they paddle through Impassable Canyon, you can get darn close. Many of you who have joined us this summer have sent me pictures and notes from the trips you were on. I'm hoping to post them on this blog when I get the chance to browse through them (probably when the season slows down in September). For those of you who have left comments, thank you so much. It is incredibly rewarding to see that folks are enjoying the photos and videos.

I am looking for a short story written by one of our customers about their experience on the Middle Fork. It could be about a particular moment, a new friendship, or the whole trip in general. If you think you've got a good story, send it in my direction via email to WillCarson@aol.com. I hope all of you are having a great summer and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on the river again sometime soon.

Best Regards,
Will Volpert

July 14 - 19, 2007 Main Salmon Trip

2007-07-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

Our July 14th Main Salmon trip was a blast. Our party consisted of 18 guests and 4 guides. We floated the 81 miles from Corn Creek to Carey Creek in 6 days. The canyon was hot with daytime temps in the 90s so occasional dunkings, both intentional and random, provided entertaining relief. We used a variety of boats including a paddle raft, 4 single kayaks, and that old relationship tester, a double kayak. If you were on the trip, thanks for joining us.

Our Camps and miles:
Day 1: Blackadar Hole, 17.2
Day 2: Magpie, 29.5
Day 3: Mallard, 37.1
Day 4: Haynie Bar, 53.4
Day 5: T-Bone, 71.6

Guides:
Tom Tremain
Julie Guthrie
Bob Volpert
Jo Schroeder

Approaching Bailey on Day 2. Hey, where is the kayak at the top of the rapid going?:

Tom and Lisa checking out the boats following them through Bailey. All the kayaks made it fine:

Steve has a perfect run:

Helen just taking it easy:

Peter cools off at camp:

Day 5 brought us to the Jewel of the Salmon, the stretch of slow water just below the South Fork of the Salmon. Greg celebrates with a nap:

Kayak jousting:

Heading to take-out on the last morning. We’re about an hour away:

Lisa and Mary cooling off:

Thank you all for the great trip!
-Team IRJ

July 16-21, 2007 Middle Fork Trip

2007-07-21T22:24:00.001-07:00

Just another excellent week on the river with good friends and lots of fresh memories. It was our first trip this season launching from Indian Creek and immediately we got into the kayak and whitewater action. The trip was punctuated midway with a spectacular thunder storm that lit up the canyon and brought everyone huddled together underneath our rain tarps. The skies cleared during the night and, as Charlie Norton ("a man of nerve!") would say, "and all was lovely again..."

Our Camps:
Day 1: Stateland Right
Day 2: White Creek
Day 3: Johnny Walker
Day 4: Wollard
Day 5: Cliffside

Guides:
Jimmy Butts
Beth Carlson
Will Volpert
John Bohach
Matt Volpert
Skip Volpert
Andrew Wilkin

Sharon and Mike during the first day on the river:

Brownies along the banks of the Middle Fork:

Made it through upright:

The happy dish crew on night five:

Graham practicing his fish slaying:

Jimmy at Cameron Creek (pictograph site:

Jordan at the helm:

Ken, dry, before his two swims:

Pulling over for lunch the first day at Little Soldier Creek:

Marble Creek Rapid, day 1:

Matt's paddle crew, day 3:

Will's paddle crew, day 3:

All smiles:

Skip and Mitch, displaying excellent technique in the surf wave at Wollard:

The view back upstream from Survey Point:

Looking down at Wollard:

Thanks for the great trip!

July 8-13, 2007 Middle Fork Trip

2007-07-13T21:07:00.001-07:00

It is impossible to imagine a better rafting vacation than on a river other than the Middle Fork of the Salmon. The last six days have been absolutely incredible. The fishing picked up dramatically, the water stayed fun and exciting, and, of course, once again we had great company. We saw a ton of familiar faces from trips in the past and met many new friends. This certainly was a trip to remember from a wildlife perspective.

The wildlife count:
1 wolf (a definite first for most), 1 bear, 1 golden eagle, 1 beaver (a first some guides as well) 16 river otters, 7 rams, 23 sheep, 1 rattlesnake, and plenty of grouse and chukar.

Our camps:
Day 1: Greyhound Creek
Day 2: Marble Right
Day 3: Shelf
Day 4: Wollard
Day 5: Stoddard

Here are some shots from throughout the week (click the shots to enlarge them):

Tom hanging out:

Surf's up at Wollard!

Stoddard Creek pictographs:

Pete tests out the mint at Veil Falls:

Paddle crew, day 5:

A pause in the action:

Marty above Wollard:

Swimming above Marble, day 2:

Lunch at Mist Falls, day 5:

Lindsey tests out the oars:

Jo at Waterfall Creek:

Haystack rapid, day 4:

Marty and Mandi drenched after the confluence, day 6:

Debbie and Dale on the hike to Veil Falls:

All smiles above Wollard, day 4:

Big horn sheep, day 5:

View from the ridge above Marble Right:

Ridgeline above Marble Right Camp (day 2):

Lake Creek Blow-out:

Day 2 paddle crew:

Mandi and Joe below "The Chutes" rapid:

A special thank-you to everyone who made this trip extremely fun and exciting!

-Andrew W, Tom T, Jo S, Julie G, Skip V, Mark E, and Will V.

June 30 to July 5, 2007 Middle Fork Trip

2007-07-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

Yet another excellent week on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. We had a group of 23 with folks who were spread out from all over the U.S. Beautiful weather, good flows, and great company (and of course spectacular surroundings) made this last week superb. Here's a short video of some random shots and footage from the six days on the river:

Notes about the trip:

First Night Camp: John's Camp
Second Night Camp: Stateland Right
Third Night Camp: Johnny Walker
Fourth Night Camp: Survey
Fifth Night Camp: Stoddard

Swim Team:
Sam (Hell's Half Mile) from the paddle boat
Chris (spatula wave at Hospital Bar and Tappan 2) from a kayak
Michelle (Porcupine Rapid) from a kayak
Claire (Rubber and Devil's Tooth) from a kayak
Kit (Devil's Tooth) from a kayak

Some pictures from the trip:

Thanks for the great trip everyone...

-Will, Julie, Tom, Matt, Andrew, and Skip

June 21, 2007 Middle Fork Trip

2007-06-27T06:33:00.000-07:00

Blue skies, fun whitewater, and an energetic and unforgettable group of folks made this weeks Middle Fork trip incredible.

Day 1:
We started off at Boundary Creek with a level of 2.56 feet, an excitingly technical and challenging flow. Our group consisted of the IRJ guides, Julie Guthrie, Andrew Wilkin, Skip Volpert, and Will Volpert, as well as 10 first-time Middle Forkers from all over the U.S.

Getting ready to board the rafts:

Pushing off from Boundary Creek, we immediately ran First Bend Rapid, followed shortly by Sulphur Slide, Rams Horn, Hell's Half Mile, and Velvet Falls.

Dave and Carole above "Pinball":

After a lunch stop at Boy Scout, we continued downstream and ran The Chutes, a tight and technical rapid with multiple routes. Julie's paddle boat crew styled the run while Andrew in his big oar boat practiced some "style spins" on the way down. With no boats experiencing any "stickiness" we headed down to Powerhouse rapid. Before entering the rapid we pulled over on the right bank to take a short walk downstream to the old water wheel.

Middle Fork history along the banks of Powerhouse Rapid:

The paddle boat crew at the bottom of Powerhouse Rapid:

A few miles downstream was our first night's camp: Sheepeater. Sheepeater has a great hot springs on the bluff above the river. A big buck came down to camp and hung out overnight while we slept under a cloudless and star-filled sky.

The paddle boat, after a hard day's work, relaxes on the bank at Sheepeater:

Day 2:

Stopped at Lake Creek to scope-out the new rapid and log situation. The guides with empty boats didn't have any trouble although Skip did have a rather close encounter with one of the logs. Ran through Pistol Creek without any problems and stopped at the Pistol Creek camp to have lunch. Here we blew up the kayaks and Zack and Cord tested them out all the way to our camp at Little Soldier.

Zack and Cord at Pungo Rapid with the "spatula wave":

Matt tests out the oars:

At Little Soldier we set-up the fly rods. Zack and Dave each caught their first fish off a fly rod. After some strawberry shortcake we played the "fork game" and the lovely dart game.

David shows a good stance during the special dart extravaganza:

Day 3:
Ran Marble Creek Rapid and then stopped at Sun Flower hotsprings and enjoyed a quick soak/shower before heading downstream to Jackass Rapid. Zack captained the paddle boat for most of the day up until camp. Carole rowed Julie's oarboat and the sun kept on shinin'! When we reached camp at White Creek some of us went on a hike upstream while Andrew and Will went across the river and climbed the White Creek ridge.

Day 3 Paddle Crew:

View looking down at camp from the White Creek Ridge:

When Andy and Will got back down from the ridge they discovered that - horrors! - one of their kayaks had been taken away and the remaining kayak was mainly deflated. Skip and Matt were probably to blame for this prank however their lingers a remaining doubt that Carole was the mastermind behind the operation.

That night we entertained ourselves through Ann's mind games, "good moon, bad moon," "Zoot and Zot," and the pictograph game. Ann also had a close encounter with a swimming snake...

Day 4:
Left camp early to allow time for a float to Loon Creek and a hike up to the hotsprings. Had the place to ourselves and soaked the three days of river grime off our bodies.

Warren at Loon Creek, 22 miles from the nearest road:

The group returning from the hotsprings refreshed. This is where we nearly lost Breck!:

At Hospital Bar we spotted some Big Horn Sheep near the hotsprings. Carole and Dave took a plunge in the kayaks at the next rapid, also known as the "spatula wave."

Dave in his kayak just before taking a swim:

Matt and Warren across from the Hospital Bar hotsprings:

We stopped at Upper Grouse for lunch and then ran the Tappan Rapids. The kayaks made it through all four of the Tappan rapids without incident as well as Haystack, Bernard Creek, and Jack Creek rapids. When we got to Driftwood we set the stage for some late night "Elephant Croquet" and "Rock Toss" competitions.

Day 5:
Carole caught her first fish and Andrew made her kiss it for good luck. It seemed to work pretty well, as it seemed her line always had a fish on it. Cord also had some success with the fish and also took a swim after his fly rod. It was a fairly windy day but the sky was clear and the sun was bright. Day 5 proved once again to be the ultimate "Canyon Appreciation Day." We stopped at Rattlesnake Cave, floated by Waterfall Creek, stopped at Cutthroat Cove for lunch, and then hiked to Veil Falls.

Cord, Breck, and Zack at Rattlesnake Cave:

Making the way up to Veil Falls:

After stopping at Veil we pushed off and immediately ran Wall Creek and Porcupine Rapids. At Redside, Ann joined the 2007 swim team when her kayak got pushed upside down by Sevy's Rock.

Cord and Ann just above Redside Rapid:

Above Weber Rapid, Breck switched places with Ann in the kayak and we continued downstream. The kayakers made it through Weber and then Son of Weber without incident, but at Cliffside we all witnessed some kayak carnage. Breck found himself just a wee-bit too far left at the bottom of the Cliffside and ended up swimming. His kayak started floating downstream but the paddle crew was able to snatch it and still catch the eddy at Cradle, our camp for the fifth night.

David and Zack taking a break on the paddle boat:

Our last night on the river featured some wine tasting, great food, and spectacular scenery. Cradle is by far one of the most scenic camps on the river and probably the best camp to top off an excellent trip.

Chief Dishwasher, Skip Volpert, at Cradle:

Day 6:
The last day of a great trip is tough. First, it's difficult to say good-bye to so many new and old friends. The great thing about six day trips is that the people on the trip actually get to know each other and many friendships are created. However, the last day of the Middle Fork offers so many great rapids and incredibly scenic turns that you can't think about saying good-bye until you're actually at the ramp at Cache Bar. Matt and Cord kayaked the biggest rapids of the trip, including Rubber, Hancock, Devil's Tooth, House Rocks, Jump Off, and Cramer Creek.

Skip hits the big wave at the bottom of Jump Off Rapid:

With no kayak carnage and no swims, we made it to take-out in time for a great lunch. The guides packed-up the boats and equipment into the trailer, the rest of the group shuffled into "normal clothes", the bus was loaded and we headed back to Salmon.

Group shot at the take-out:

For all of you who were part of this trip, thank you for joining Idaho River Journeys on the Middle Fork. We look forward to seeing you again on the river and can't wait for another round of "rock toss" or "elephant croquet." Thank you, especially, for all the great memories, laughs, and smiles.

Your guides and friends,
Julie, Andrew, Skip, and Will

June 12, 2007 Middle Fork (Season Opener)

2007-06-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

Our season opener on the Middle Fork launched on June 12th, 2007 from Boundary Creek. We had a great trip, lots of fun folks, ate well and enjoyed spectacular weather. It was a five-day trip and we camped at some great sites. Our first night found us at John's Camp about 15 miles from our put-in at Boundary Cr. The next day we traveled to Marble Right, then Shelf, and our last night was at Wilson Creek. A great trip and an excellent way to start the season. Made some friends and certainly some memories. The Middle Fork, it's just one helluva a river.

The drive into the Middle Fork is gorgeous this time of year:

Shortly after pushing off, Tom leads the way in an oar boat:

The paddle boat, with Julie at the helm, charges ahead:

Skip and Craig dropping in!

Good ol' Andrew takes up the sweep:

Thanks for the memories!