Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rafting with Idaho River Journeys

April Survey Results

2011-05-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

In April we conducted a survey that asked past guests and other email contacts what they thought about our trips. We had 270 responses. Here is a summary of what folks told us.

Of those who had taken a trip with IRJ, 77% thought our vacations were about the same price as similar trips, 9% said more expensive, 13% said less expensive. 75% said that their trip with IRJ was better than most other vacations they'd taken, and 20% said it was the best ever. 4% said it was the same as most other vacations. 80% said they'd recommend our trips to friends.

The most common obstacle people voiced about taking a trip with us was the cost and logistics of getting here. People who had never taken a trip were more likely to be deterred by the price of the trip itself although most felt the trips were fairly priced.

Trip elements, other than boating, most enjoyed by guests were campfires, waterfall stops, hiking, hot spring visits, interpretive talks, wine tasting, spending time with family. Some thought we should do more camp games; some thought fewer. Some wanted showers, some said showers weren’t too important. Our food and customer service was solidly rated “A” (Thanks).

Suggested improvements were to provide seats with back support for use in oar boats. Have healthier food options for health conscious individuals. Fewer onions. More beer. A better system of rotating use of the kayaks.

Toilets always get comments. 81% of people want the toilets in a secluded spot but out in the open air.

Here is what we are going to do:

1. Purchase seats with back support for our oar boats. Already done.
2. Make discounted seats available to guests who book small groups of 6 or more. We need more guests and you need discount opportunities.
3. Improve access to showers. We always have Sun Showers on our trips but we’re looking for a better system. Most of our trips are in wilderness areas where mechanical devices like battery powered pumps for showers are not allowed.
4. Take a look at travel options to our meeting place and come up with travel suggestions.
5. Offer some new menu items. Probably won’t change the onion and beer amounts.
6. Review the survey with our crew at our June 18th pre-season meeting and make sure we are doing the things guests want on a trip.

If you completed the survey, you may have won a prize. You will be notified by email. If you expressed interest in taking a trip, we’re sending you follow-up materials. Thank you for participating and helping us make rafting with Idaho River Journeys the best vacation possible.

If you didn’t take the survey, and want to offer comments please email them to us.

River Rafting a Top Choice for Mom’s Looking for Active Family Vacation

2011-05-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Every mom knows that the secret of planning the perfect family adventure vacation is finding a destination with something for everyone. The goal is to keep the kids happy and engaged while providing mom and dad with activities they will enjoy along with the kids. Outfitted river trips on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon fill that goal in abundance.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon features 100 miles of crystal-clear water teeming with wild trout, exhilarating whitewater, stunning scenery, magnificent hiking trails, soothing natural hot springs, and numerous historical sites. Add to that a riverside “luxury camping” experience where guides prepare exquisite meals and you have the setting for the perfect vacation.

River rafting vacations have become popular with multi-generational family groups looking to vacation together and experience a variety of activities. A typical day on the Middle Fork might find the kids kayaking, dad fly-fishing, mom navigating a paddle raft, the group hiking to a nearby hot-springs, all the while creating family memories that will last a lifetime.

Jerry Hughes runs Hughes River Expeditions and outfits on the Snake River, Salmon and Middle Fork in Idaho. He thinks that the ease of planning, the adventure, and the opportunity for families to spend time together without distractions attributes to the popularity of river rafting vacations. “Sitting around a campfire with your kids is an experience we once took for granted,” Hughes notes. “But in today’s tech connected world, it’s something wonderfully rejuvenating.”

Outfitters have made planning a Middle Fork vacation easy. Most trips originate in the mountain village of Stanley, Idaho, easily reached from Boise. Most top-quality outfitters provide all necessary camping gear including comfortable ground mattresses, clean sleeping bags and spacious tents. Guests need to bring only changes of clothing and personal items.

“We’ve been running the Middle Fork since 1978,” says Mary Papale, who along with husband Bob Volpert, runs Idaho River Journeys. “Our favorite guest comment is one we hear every summer. “Our rafting trip with you was the best family vacation we’ve ever taken.”

Middle Fork trips are typically 6-days long. For information about vacationing on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, contact one of these premier river outfitters:

Idaho River Journeys, 1-888-997-8399
Hughes River Expeditions, 1-800-262-1882
Solitude River Trips, 1-800-396-1776
Far & Away Adventures, 1-800-232-8588
Rocky Mountain River Tours, 1-208-345-2400

For more information about Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon or family rafting vacations in general, contact Mary Papale at 1-888-997-8399. Mary is the mother of 3 sons who grew up in an outfitting family and now guide on the Middle Fork for Idaho River Journeys.

Great Snow and Water Year in Idaho

2011-04-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

We're looking at one of the best river seasons we have seen in years. With Idaho's snow pack holding at a perfect 100% of normal, we can expect the Middle Fork of the Salmon to have near-perfect flows for the duration of the summer.

Lots of snow doesn't simply just mean high water because it also translates into a healthier habitat for the Middle Fork's native trout population. With high flows in May and June, the river will be "flushed" and cleansed of debris, leaving crystal clear water for later in the season that helps both the fish and fisherman keep an eye on the fly. Also, more snow means water temperatures will stay colder longer - which keeps fish happy.

So whether you are looking for an adrenaline high water trip in early June or the ultimate fly fishing vacation of your life, Idaho is the place to be in 2011.

Family Rafting Vacations Go Luxury & Green

2011-03-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

On America’s Newest Family Vacation, the Imprint on the Environment is Measured in Smiles, not Emissions.

Many Americans are opting for vacations that nurture the family, the soul, and nature. Family vacations have to cover an array of needs and desires for both parents and children. Earth friendly and luxurious comfort is big on baby boomer wish lists this year. Choosing a fun, sustainable, and earth friendly vacation is a growing trend. Virtuoso®, luxury travel industry's leading travel network, released their Virtuoso Luxe Report, forecasting relevant travel trends, based on travel decisions and other motivating factors for upscale 2011 travel. Interestingly, the survey reported that family and multi-generational travel is the biggest emerging travel trend for 2011.

With no end in sight for the price of oil, there is a family friendly vacation where gravity propels you downstream for up to a week through intoxicating beauty. “The imprint on the environment is measured in smiles, not emissions, on Idaho’s newest family trip design,” says Steve Lentz, head guide and founder of Far and Away Adventures in Sun Valley, Idaho. “Over the years we have noticed the desire for pure fun and relaxation evolve into a need for more comfort, respect, and learning about nature, along with special experiences crafted just for kids of all ages.”

Five progressive Idaho outfitters in the River of No Return Wilderness offer an over-the-top family rafting adventures sure to please everyone. Bob Volpert of Idaho River Journeys mentions “Combining entertainment and education, children are led by enthusiastic guides to discover a new world of appreciation of nature and themselves in it.” Volun-tourism and leave-no-trace travel, are components of taking care and giving back on these trips. The wilderness setting, whitewater excitement, and fly-fishing, have proven to successfully out compete cell phones, TVs, demanding workplaces, social schedules, and even the Xbox. The result? A family that is reconnected, reinvigorated, and more relaxed.

Jerry Hughes runs Hughes River Expeditions and outfits river rafting trips on the Snake River, Salmon and Middle Fork in Idaho. He thinks that the ease of planning, the adventure, and the opportunity for families to spend time together without distractions attributes to the popularity of river rafting vacations. “Sitting around a campfire with your kids is an experience we once took for granted,” Hughes notes. “But in today’s techie world, it’s something wonderfully rejuvenating.”

The river outfitters mentioned offer three to six-day river rafting trips on the most famous rivers in Idaho and Oregon. Prices include shelter, sleeping bags, camp chairs, and just about everything else you might need, except personal items. Also included are the activities that make a river rafting vacation more than just whitewater: hiking, fly fishing, interpretation and those ever-so-elusive family campfire moments.

History Abounds on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon

2011-03-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

The natural beauty of the Middle Fork of the Salmon is the most appealing aspect of a float trip for many visitors. But the river canyon has a rich human history as well. There are many old cabins, homesteads, old farm equipment and Native American pictographs to visit along the river. They take you back to a time when sleeping along the Middle Fork was not a vacation of a lifetime, but a way of life. Here, the five most experienced river companies on the Middle Fork will share some of their favorite historic stops.

Solitude River Trips on “Prehistoric/Native American Sites”

There are four types of archeological sites that you’ll encounter on the Middle Fork – rock shelters, open camps, pictographs and pit house villages. Rock shelters were formed in steep canyons where there was an overhanging rock face. Pit house villages and open camps were generally established on terraces. No one is sure what shape shelters took on open camps; pit house villages were made up of tipi-like structures built over small circular depressions, the pits. Pictographs are not as abundant on the Middle Fork as they are on some western rivers, but some are found in rock shelters. No one knows if the images scrawled on the rock tell stories of the Indians’ experiences or were meant to act as maps. One popular theory goes that they are a record of a shaman’s visions. Native American sites may be viewed, but never disturbed!

Rocky Mountain River Tours on “Middle Fork Lodge”

This structure has a long history and many different owners throughout the years, Bill Harrah (owner of Harrah’s casinos in Nevada) bought the ranch in 1966 when the Forest Service dropped the ball and did not pick up an option to purchase the ranch. Harrah spent millions turning the old ranch into a wonderful lodge, which had antique cars on the grounds and Charley Russell paintings hanging on the walls. Many celebrities visited the lodge, including. Loretta Lynn, Steve Mc Queen, Sammy Davis Jr., Glen Campbell and Bill Cosby. The place changed hands many times since Harrah died and is now owned by an investment broker from New York.

Far and Away Adventures on “Daisy Tappan Cabin"

This cabin rests at Grouse Creek; it was there when Willis Jones settled at this spot in 1917. Jones sold the place to Fred and Daisy Paulson-Tappan for $1200. Fred was from Iowa and daisy was from Prineville Oregon. They raised cattle, grew a big garden with strawberries, watermelons, blackberries, raspberries and muskmelons. Daisy said that the rock chucks would make a little hole in the melons next to the ground and then hollow out the entire melon, which appeared edible until picked and the hole was discovered! As self sufficient as they were, Fred and Daisy still had to buy horseshoes, leather and clothes. $300 dollars would easily see them through the year! In later years the Forest Service cut off their grazing permits. By then (about 1933), their boys were old enough to go to school, and they moved out. Years later, Daisy said, "You know, it was three years before I could sleep without the sound of that river and creek. It was just too darned quiet.

Idaho River Journeys on “Powerhouse Mill”

Longtime Middle Fork drifters will fondly recall the Powerhouse Cabin & Stamp Mill, which rested adjacent to Powerhouse Rapids. The cabin is called the Smith-Hussey cabin after the builders, and was built back in the 1920s. It featured a unique roof system that had yard long wooden shakes. The stamp-mill – with a waterwheel that could be lowered into the river when needed – was used to process gold ore that was harvested from the White Goat mine on the opposite side of the river. The ore was brought down a steep trail by mule and then brought across the Middle Fork via a cable car system. Gold was processed here until the 1950’s. Regrettably, the cabin and mill were consumed in the 2007 wild fires that ran through the valley, though metal components from the mill remain, hinting at the past.

Hughes River Expeditions on “Joe Bump’s Cabin”

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many pioneer families moved to the Middle Fork and built homesteads along the river. Some were successful and became private land, others moved on and made their homes elsewhere. Descendants of many Middle Fork pioneer families still live in the region. One settler who didn’t stay was Joe Bump, whose cabin – or at least its remains – rest just a little bit below Powerhouse Rapids. Joe Bump was a prospector and packer from Cascade, Idaho. One winter Joe lost his toes to frost bite in the upper Middle Fork in Bear Valley in a snowstorm and developed blood poisoning and left for good, moving back to Cascade. (That’s why you float in the summer!)

Shopping Around for the Best River Trip?

2011-03-03T07:33:00.000-08:00

Advice from the five most experienced river companies on the Middle Fork: how you can be assured a treasured "trip of a lifetime".

Sun Valley, Idaho - Americans know it can be difficult, and sometimes frustrating, to choose a vacation date, decide what to do, where to go, how to go there, and who to go with. Americans also know that a vacation is an important investment of time, money, and planning. You should demand the best experiences, the best opportunities for lifetime memories, and limit the hassles so the whole process is enjoyable, valuable, and relaxing. When your trip is over, you should feel that every penny was well spent, and that you and your family adventured with people who really cared.

Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon holds a reputation as being one of the “must see” adventures on Planet Earth. With the advice from the five most experienced river companies on the Middle Fork, here is how you can be assured a treasured "trip of a lifetime".

Idaho River Journeys on “The Guides”

How is your crew family friendly? This question is meant to determine if the outfit has given family dynamics some thought. If it is a multi-generational trip, what activities will entertain the different age groups?

How long has your crew been working together? What is your staff turnover rate? As a customer, you should look for a crew with long term, multi-season experience working together. An outfit with frequent staff changes or a history of hiring guides from other outfits is a warning sign. Guides tend to stay with the best outfitters and not move around much.

Rocky Mountain River Tours on “The Food”

Can you show me your menu? Cuisine is a major factor of the experience.
Progressive outfitters now take the concept of outdoor/riverside dining to the highest level. Menu preparation is designed so the day's meals complement each other, and the evening meals provide a week-long balance of fish, poultry, and meat. The meals should satisfy the tastes of all the guests, while at the same time encourage them to experiment with unique foods during their vacation. Dinners should be accompanied by a selection of wonderful wines. Just add the song of the river for the ultimate in culinary adventure.

Hughes River Expeditions on “Camp Provisions”

How do you make camping comfortable and what gear is provided? You will want to know about tents. Are they spacious enough? Keep in mind that a so-called “four-person” tent is most comfortable for two adults. Where will the kids sleep? What are toilet facilities like? Does the outfitter provide camp chairs or will you be sitting on the ground? Are freshly laundered sleeping bags provided?

If you are considering going by yourself, ask about the tents. Will I get my own tent? Some outfits provide a set number of tents. Some have tents for singles. If you have a family of five, you should expect three tents.

Solitude River Trips on “Moving Down River”

How do you divide the boats up each day? Will I get to paddle with my family? The outfitter should have a varied fleet of boats to accommodate different guests. You should be able to make the choice between just floating and actively participating. This is particularly important if you have teens in your party.

How are your trips fun for all members of a family? If the entire emphasis is on the boating aspect of the trip, chances are the crew doesn’t know the best hikes, fishing holes, hot springs and other attractions. Your vacation is a guided tour of a wonderful place and - although boating is the central theme - take advantage of the crew’s knowledge to learn about the area.

Far and Away Adventures on “Safety and Sustainability”

What kind of emergency training does your staff have? All of their guides should have advanced first aid and CPR.

Satellite phones and GPS units are absolutely necessary in the wilderness if an emergency arises. The phone also allows an emergency from home to be delivered to your group.

Support outfitters that support stewardship. Choose wisely the company that practices low impact ethics and who are giving back to the resource.

And remember, companies with the lowest prices may have the oldest equipment and lower paid guides. All trips are not equal - shop for the best all-around experience. Lastly, get references.

Fall in Idaho - fishing, photos, and driving

2010-10-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

It was just over a month ago that we finished up our last Middle Fork of the Salmon trip of the season. It was a fly fishing trip and the fishing had exceeded everyone's expectations, as it so often does now. On the drive back home from the take-out at Cache Bar the river was spotted with coming signs of Fall: yellow and red trees dotted the banks and the occasional early but optimistic Steelhead fisherman could be seen working a hole.

In the following weeks things seemed to warm up a bit and the signs of fall (except for the fisherman) began to slow down. Until now. With our first few nights of frost, fall has come storming back, and this time it's here to stay.

This past weekend I visited Idaho River Journeys guide Scooter Carling who lives in Sun Valley to watch the Giants hopefully destroy the Phillies. I took a road called "Trail Creek Road", which acts as a bit of a short cut if you don't mind a dirt road. Plus, aside from saving some time, if you travel this road this time of year you are guaranteed spectacular views, fall colors at their finest, and maybe even some wildlife.

Summit Creek drifts through a frosty field near the Trail Creek Road:

Fall colors, looking back toward Mt. Borah:

A herd of elk grazing near Trail Creek Road:

After the Giants disappointing loss on Sunday (by the way, there are no professional sports teams in Idaho, so I guess river guides are the equivalent of star athletes here), I started the trek back to Salmon. I gave another Idaho River Journeys' guide, Tom Tremain, a call to see if he was interested in going Steelheading. We pushed off around 2:00ish that afternoon to float a three-mile stretch of the Salmon River, just north of town.

A lot of the talking we did was about how neither one of us really had any idea how to fish for steelhead. Tom knew a little bit about technique but really we were just floating to get outside and see if luck would smile on us. We tried a few different holes and then realized that we really had no idea what we were doing. I figured we had a better chance of catching a fish if the plug was in the water, but that was the only method I could come up with to increase our chances.

We reached our take-out at Red Rock about two hours later. At the bend above the ramp, upstream about 20 yards, Tom threw the line in one last time. I held the boat, which was a drift boat borrowed from a friend, and was paying more attention to how easy it was to hold the boat in the current than to Tom's fishing. After holding for a few minutes I pushed off and headed towards the ramp. Like my previous four days of steelheading, I had not even seen one fish. The nice thing about disappointment is that the sting goes away the more times you experience it, so after a five days of failure it seemed like the norm.

Tom was reeling in and, because of the current pulling the plug downstream, the rod tip bent slightly. And he reeled in and reeled in... there was a lot of line out. And then a giant steelhead drifted to the surface with the plug in its mouth. In a moment of disbelief I turned to grab my camera but Tom quickly pointed out that I had better row us into an eddy so we would not miss the take-out.

We had never thought that we would get a fish - we didn't even have a cooler to put it in (by the way, you can keep the hatchery fish, which this was). Tom gutted it and we just threw it into the bed of my truck where it slid around for a few miles.

Tom with his fish, a 28.5" steelhead:

Just goes to show, it's always better to be lucky than good.

July 24-29, 2010 Middle Fork of the Salmon Trip Report

2010-08-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Middle Fork of the Salmon Trip Report by Michael O'Malley

All photographs courtesy of Tysun McMullan. Check them all out at www.MiddleForkPhotography.com.

The weather was hot and sunny when we boarded the rafts at Boundary Creek on July 24^th. The gauge read 2.3 feet so the day promised to be exciting and technical, with lots of rocks to dodge. Will shoved off early in the big sweep boat, with his mom, Mary, jumping in as swamper to assist with camp set-up.

Trip leader Jo and Scooter and Dustin took the oars, while John and Michael manned the two paddle boats. Things started with a bang, as Gary K. earned the coveted “first guest to swim” honor earlier than any previous Idaho River Journeys trip on record. Gary whiffed on his second paddle stroke and dunked before the raft negotiated First Bend Rapid.

With bouncy runs in Sulphur Slide, Ramshorn, Velvet Falls, the Chutes, and Powerhouse behind us, the group pulled into John’s Camp at mile 15.2…a solid day’s work. Under head chef Scooter’s ministrations, the grilled chicken dinner was appreciated with gusto.

The group was up early and ready to go the next morning, impressing the guides throughout the trip with their timely packing and “we’re all in this together” attitude. Not to be outdone, guide John reciprocated Gary K’s aquatic acrobatics with a swim of his own in Pistol Creek Rapid. The guideless boat did a yeoman’s job navigating the hairpin turn while John sluiced his way safely to the pool below —without losing his stylish fedora.

Once past Pistol, we did a quick repair job on one oar boat and prepped the five inflatable kayaks, aka “duckies,” for the rest of the trip. Almost all the guests at one time or another paddled a ducky, experiencing the Middle Fork at its most exciting.

Our night two camp was Marble Creek Right, a multi-storied river-right lay-out (mile 31.7) below the big wave of Marble Creek Rapid. Under Michael’s watchful eye, Kelsey, Carly and Case lead a contingent of guests in a fun adventure swim through the rapid into the big eddy at camp. John from Logan showed excellent relief pitcher form, hitting several swimmers with an assisting throw bag toss. Photographer Tysun (www.middleforkphotography.com) captured one of Kelsey’s swims, which we hope will be on YouTube soon. Dinner was a superb seared Ahi with a ginger marinade.

On day three, we pushed on to Shelf Camp (mile 48.1). David elected to take the swamper role, which Jo greatly appreciated.

The day started with a quick hot shower in Sunflower Hot Springs, an exciting run in Jackass Rapids, and a stop to pay our respects at the grave of miner Whitey Cox. Annette and Barb exited at Pine Creek Flat to hike five miles to camp, overcoming non-venomous snakes, a trail washout, and flustered grouse on the way.

Once at camp, half the group hiked a mile and a half to Loon Creek Hot Springs. John-Tim and Rich luxuriated in the 102 degree pool, while Erin, Kathy, Carole and others attended to bail bucket showers and shampoos. Our intrepid hikers – Annette and Barb – were the last to soak, notching an 8-mile day on the trails.

After a tasty pork chop feast, the group retired to their tents. A storm front moved through, causing some midnight scrambling with tent fly set-up. By morning, the rain had passed through, and most had spent the night in relative coziness.

The rain cooled the canyon, and we embarked under pleasant though overcast skies. At Loon Creek, we picked up new guests Mike and Kathy, and said good bye to Mary, who flew back to Salmon.

The pace of the water on day four picked up, with big drops at Tappan Falls, Cove Creek, Haystack, and the Jack Creek series. Gary T. and the other fishermen demonstrated their skills, hooking (and releasing) trout after trout throughout the day. The kayakers, anchored by Bill, Kevin, Steve and David, demonstrated the “I’d rather be lucky than good” principle and put together some astonishing and generally upright runs.

John and Lauren (swamper on day four and five) had our night four camp, Grassy Flat (mile 73.0), in good shape with tents a-drying. The camp was a big open meadow on river left with a 180-degree view of a big bend in the Impassible Canyon. After a well-received antipasto intro, the lasagna was devoured in short order. Suzanne announced she was ready for a real shower and clean sheets. (We’ll try to cross-sell her on a three-day Rogue River lodge trip.) The big, just-past-full moon lit up the area like a stadium throughout the night, but after a 25-mile day, everyone slept soundly.

Day five highlights included a stop at Rattlesnake Cave to view Sheepeater Indian pictographs, and a hike to the bridge at Waterfall Creek. After a visit to the sublime Veil Falls, a brief thunderstorm caught us, but the rain was warm and the light in the canyon dramatic. Tysun was a man possessed, bagging a significant number of the 6,000+ photos he took during the trip. At lunch, Dustin gave an interesting talk about the life of a Wilson Creek salmon, complete with an interactive beach sand map.

With the recent rains swelling the lower canyon water levels, we hit big drops at Porcupine, Redside, and Weber. Herb had the trip’s most exciting ride – in Cliffside – but Jo’s intrepid nearly-all-ladies paddle crew effected a quick rescue when he took a swim. Herb retired from the kayaks with honor and regaled us all at camp with stories of his cool, calm bravado.

We finished the day at Stoddard Camp (mile 90.0) and part of the group joined Will for a short hike to intriguing pictographs and a cold water spa treatment in the creek. Dinner was a steak and Caesar salad repast with wine tasting. After delicious brownies, the group shared high points of the trip. The guides noted how the group truly embraced what the river offered, and thanked the guests for joining us.

Day six started early, and the big drops continued with Rubber, Hancock, and Devil’s Tooth rapids. After a brief stop as another group de-wrapped a sweep boat at House Rocks, we forged through Jump-Off and Goat Creek, reaching the confluence of the Main Salmon well before noon.

Mary was waiting for us at Cache Bar with a delicious deli sandwich lunch, and the group said farewell to the Middle Fork.

Other highlights: Carrot cake, blueberry pancakes, bacon, the smell of early morning coffee, the psst of the can of nuts announcing the start of lunch, cool snakes on the trail, meeting a real cowboy and his dog, having all our fishing licenses in order when Fish & Game visited Shelf Camp, seeing a bevy of otter, a bald eagle fly-by, a bear and big horn sheep on the side of the road as the bus headed to Salmon.

This diverse group really melded. As Will said, “If you walked into camp on night five, you wouldn’t know who came with whom. Everyone got along as friends.”

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Check out all of Tysun's photos at www.MiddleForkPhotography.com.

Idaho River Journeys Offers Summer Rafting Vacation Deals

2010-05-04T06:46:00.000-07:00

Guests Can Take Advantage of Group and Family Discounts, Student Rates and Credit for Kern Rafting Trips

Taking a whitewater rafting vacation in Idaho has never been easier, nor more affordable, thanks to veteran outfitter Idaho River Journeys. The company has announced three money-saving offers for the 2010 season, which runs from June through September on Idaho’s Middle Fork and Main Salmon River. First, groups and families of 10 or more earn a 10% discount off regular adult rates, and groups of 16 or more earn one FREE space. Second, student rates are offered on many trips to any student, at any grade level including graduate school, and third, in cooperation with Kern River Outfitters in Southern California, the company will credit guests 100% of their 2010 Kern River trip toward any Idaho rafting vacation taken this season.

“More than ever, travelers are looking for ways to spread their vacation dollar,” comments Bob Volpert, owner of Idaho River Journeys. Bob and his wife Mary have outfitted on the Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Main Salmon River since 1978. Their trips are a mix of exhilarating whitewater, spectacular hikes, and delicious wilderness cuisine. “We recognize this, and we hope that these offers will help families, groups and students of all ages to enjoy fun filled rafting vacations this summer.”

Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon is America's premier wilderness river. Deep cathedral forests, steep canyon walls, natural hot springs, fabulous fly fishing, exhilarating whitewater and beautiful, spacious campsites make the Middle Fork of the Salmon world famous. Trips are from four to six days, and launch weekly from June 3 through September 2. Main Salmon River rafting vacations are river trips that everyone, from grandparents to grandkids, can enjoy and return with memories that will last a lifetime. The river is ideal for families with children age seven and up. The water is warmer than most western rivers, many campsites are on big, sandy beaches, there are good hiking trails nearby, and famous rapids will keep everyone smiling. Trips are five or six days, and launch weekly from June 20 to August 30.

Kern River Outfitters offers half-day to three-day trips ranging in difficulty from Class III to Class V on three sections of the Kern River: the Upper, the Lower and the Forks. Just a few hours from most Southern California cities, the Kern River is a popular summer vacation destination getaway for first-timers and families, as well as for experienced river rafters. Prices range from $115 to $998 per person, depending on the length of the trip and the date of departure; 100% of those trip costs will be applied to an Idaho rafting vacation for guests participating in this offer.

“Customers who take advantage of this promotion will essentially enjoy a free river trip on the Kern,” observes Keith “Luther” Stephens, general manager of Kern River Outfitters. “For people who enjoy rafting and adventure travel, this is the deal of a lifetime. We think we’ll have a lot of takers.”

For more information on Idaho whitewater rafting vacations, call Idaho River Journeys at 1-888-997-8399 or visit www.IdahoRiverJourneys.com. For additional information on trips offered on Southern California’s Kern River by Kern River Outfitters, call 1-800-323-4234 or visit www.KernRafting.com

Eddy Out: Nugget Creek on the Middle Fork of the Salmon

2010-03-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

Nugget Creek, mile 87.9, comes in on river-left deep in the heart of the Middle Fork of the Salmon's "Impassable Canyon". A short hike up the creek leads to a small grotto where the creek takes a plunge from the canyon wall high above. At the mouth of the creek there is a small cabin which was perhaps built as early as 1917 by Earl Parrott.

Earl Parrot, who was later dubbed the "Hermit of Impassable Canyon", lived in the Middle Fork canyon for over 25 years. He was as self-sustaining as one could be. He had two cabins - one at the top of the canyon where he had a garden and another at the mouth of Nugget Creek (which is visible from the river) where he panned for gold.

Only a handful of folks ever ran into Parrott while he resided on the Middle Fork. Those who did found him skiddish and irritated. He preferred to be by himself and away from people - which is exactly why he took a liking to the Middle Fork's remote canyon.

On August 15th, 1945, Earl Parrott died in Salmon, Idaho. Although is lower cabin remains, his upper cabin was burnt to the ground by a forest fire in 1989. Today a creek, lake, and campsite bear his name.

Kayaking on Oregon's Rogue River

2010-03-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

We're teaming up with Phil and Mary DeRiemer to offer two great kayak instruction trips on the Rogue River for 2010. The two dates we've chosen are August 11-14 and August 18-21. These four day trips are all camping but with the luxury of raft support. Phil and Mary will help you hone your paddling skills and the Rogue River Journeys crew will be there to provide tasty meals and camping supplies to make your Rogue River kayaking trip the best it can be.

Mary DeRiemer works with a trip participant on the Rogue in 2009:

Join us in 2010 for a Rogue River kayaking trip you'll never forget. Build your skills, enjoy great company in camp, and don't worry about a thing. This is one of our most popular trips so don't wait, book your trip today. To reserve your spot on one of our Rogue River kayaking trips give Rogue River Journeys a call at 1-866-213-7754.

More information:
Check out the DeRiemer's Rogue kayaking page.

Eddy Out: Rainie Falls on the Rogue River

2010-03-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

Rainie Falls, mile 1.7, is the largest rapid on Oregon's Rogue River. The actual falls, which drops nearly 12' feet, is easily portaged (which we always do) along river-right through a channel known as the "Fish Ladder". One can hear the roar of the falls nearly a mile away. A long flat pool of water leads to an enormous horizon line where sprays of water shoot into the air and a mist from below the falls rises up into the air.

The falls is named after "Old Man Rainie" who lived on the Rogue and gaffed salmon from the falls. During the fall season, one can sit at the base of the falls and watch countless salmon attempt to clear it on their way upstream.

Eddy Out: Sheepeater Hot Springs on the Middle Fork of the Salmon

2010-03-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

Sheepeater Hot Springs, mile 13.1, is a series of hot pools on a high bench on river-left. The hot water bubbles out of the ground and as it makes its way from pool to pool the temperature of the water cools down. The various temperatures of the pools allow everyone to find a comfortable place to soak.

The large bench is popular amongst deer, elk, big horn sheep, and mountain goats. The minerals that are brought up by the hot springs makes the area attractive to wildlife. A few logs are all that remain of an enclosed cabin that was built by Jack Crane around 1911. Crane was a foreman at the Bingham Canyon copper mine in Utah but also had claims at Sheepeater.

This popular hot spring is normally accessed by groups camped in nearby areas. Some of the most popular camps to access this hot spring are: Sheepeater Upper, Sheepeater Lower, Scout, Joe Bump, and Fire Island. The Middle Fork trail runs right next to the hot springs so hiking to and from these river-left camps is relatively easy.

Photo by Tysun McMullan.

Rogue River Night in Portland set for April 1st

2010-03-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

The first annual “Rogue River Night” is slated for April 1st at Shorebank Pacific (1101 SW Washington Street) from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Southern Oregon’s Rogue River, one of the eight original Wild and Scenic Rivers from 1968, is poised to gain additional Wild and Scenic River miles. Wild and Scenic status offers protection to rivers and streams from further development or degradation. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects many of the most popular wilderness rivers in the United States.

The evening will showcase Rogue River photography by Roger Dorband, a discussion by a representative from the Save the Wild Rogue Campaign, and offer perspectives from guides and staff of Rogue River Journeys, a Rogue River whitewater rafting outfitter. Appetizers will also be served.

Those who wish to attend the event are asked to RSVP either online (http://tinyurl.com/ye3o6g3) or by calling Rogue River Journeys at 1-866-213-7754.

Eddy Out: Cameron Creek on the Middle Fork of the Salmon

2010-03-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

Cameron Creek, mile 39.5, comes in on river-left immediately across the river from Little Loon Creek. During the summer months it is mainly a dry creek bed and to the uneducated traveler would be an easy site to pass up.

The name of Cameron Creek is attributed to Kenneth Cameron of Scotland who grazed cattle along this stretch of the river starting in 1916. Pictographs on a rock wall near the area as well as pit depressions in the ground and shards of obsidian suggest that the Sheepeater Indians spent extended periods of time at Cameron Creek.

In 1919 Kenneth Cameron married Bessie Watson. She lived upstream at Indian Creek when they first met. The two of them homesteaded thirty-five acres and grew grain, alfalfa, and potatoes. Soon after their marriage they bought the ranch at the mouth of Loon Creek. Eventually they sold their ranch and moved out of the river corridor. Kenneth continued to work the ranch life at Butte Ranch, just north of Emmett, Idaho.

Middle Fork Idaho Outfitters Highlight Brigade Service

2010-02-25T06:53:00.000-08:00

Spectacular Scenery, Whitewater and Fly Fishing highlight trips

SALMON, ID, February 25, 2010 - In Central, Idaho, less than 125 miles from Boise, is a wilderness river that National Geographic has called the third best whitewater rafting river in the world. Of the ten rivers they list in the book Journeys of a Lifetime, the Middle Fork of the Salmon is the only one that doesn’t require travel gymnastics to get to or a passport for U.S. citizens.

A passage from Journeys of a Lifetime reads: “This is one of the world’s most popular whitewater rivers, with everything to offer you—rapids up to Class IV and glorious alpine and forest scenery as it flows through America’s largest roadless wilderness area outside Alaska. Wildlife can include the enchanting sight of a mother bear swimming across the river with her cubs.”

It is those attractions and more, the natural hot springs, world class fly fishing, spectacular hikes, that first lure vacationers from around the world to the Middle Fork. But it is the Middle Fork guides and outfitters, a few of whom are famous for providing exceptional customer service, deluxe camping, acclaimed cuisine and friendly access to this wilderness, that brings them back.

Standards are high on the Middle Fork where 25 outfitters offer trips. Some have achieved levels of service that exceed what you would expect at most vacation resorts and they serve meals that rival famous restaurants. These outfits have adopted the term Brigade Service to define what they do.

Sheila Mills and her husband Dave run Rocky Mountain River Tours. Sheila is the author of four best selling Dutch oven cookbooks that are reflected in the company’s dedication to serving outstanding food. “When we took a look at what Brigade Service was about we concluded it was paying attention to all the little details that go into providing a great vacation and making sure guests had the best possible Middle Fork experience.”

Brigade-Style service is defined by these outfitters as striving to deliver a memorable and exhilarating wilderness vacation experience that features exceptional customer service, acclaimed meals, gracious and welcoming guides, and a desire to introduce guests to the secrets of the Northern Rockies of Idaho. Trips feature a 4-1 guest to guide ratio with interpretive talks, fly-fishing, geology hikes, and provocative campfire conversations.

The Brigade Companies consist of four, long time Middle Fork outfitters who have joined together to promote their trips and the concept of Brigade Service. Outfitter Bob Volpert who operates Idaho River Journeys, one of the Brigade Four, said, “The idea was to unite a select group of outfitters that ran high quality trips and had similar service standards. We share this commitment and feel confident about recommending each other’s trips.” The other two Brigade Outfitters are Hughes River Expeditions and Solitude River Trips.

###

For further information or to arrange a media trip, contact Bob Volpert at 1-888-997-8399 or by email at bob@IdahoRiverJourneys.com

Eddy Out: Paradise Lodge on the Rogue River

2010-02-16T22:01:00.000-08:00

Paradise Lodge, 20 miles downstream of Grave Creek, is where we often spend our last night on the river. High above the river, the deck offers beautiful views looking downstream and upstream.

The lodge itself is rich in history. The land was first developed in 1903 by Charlie Pettinger. It was in such a remote location that, with exception to the mail man, very few outsiders ever visited. Even today there is no road into this remote area. The main lodge was constructed in 1959 by Deak and Louise Miller. The current owners, the Schleining family, are the fourth owners of this beautiful piece of land.

With a ceiling overhead, a fresh shower, and a bed to crawl into you'll be happy to stop at Paradise. Enjoy relaxing on the deck for hors-doevres and wine, taking a stroll on the Rogue River trail, or simply take in the views. At Paradise, "there are no strangers here, just friends we haven't met."

If you're interested in spending a night at Paradise Lodge, take a look at our schedule page for our "camp/lodge" trips. These are trips where we spend the first night or two camped along the river and then our final night at the lodge. They are our most popular trips and are the best way to see a little bit of everything the Rogue River has to offer.

River Trips: Offering solutions for last minute shoppers

2010-02-13T07:58:00.001-08:00

It's the day before Valentine's Day and you may be scrambling to find that perfect gift for your loved one. Maybe you're starting to feel the pressure, maybe not. Regardless, we've now reached the point of time where the countdown is measured in hours, not days. Want to find a gift that actually means something? You've heard the phrase a "gift that keeps on giving"? Well, it's not all baloney, and sure, it's a cheesy thing to attach onto a world-class river trip but it's hard to say it any better. The gift of a river rafting vacation truly does keep on giving.

Our all-inclusive river rafting trips are a lot more than just rapids. We run the three best multi-day rivers in the west. Oregon's Rogue River and Idaho's Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers are all designated Wild & Scenic. This means that, aside from great whitewater, you'll float through river canyons that are far, far, far away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Cell phones don't work on the rivers we run. There is no Facebooking, no stock market, and no distractions. When you are on a trip with us, the only distractions are the rapids, the beautiful river canyons, and the people you're with. In situations like this, it's easy to see why a river trip is the perfect "couples" gift.

Camping on the river is comfortable. We use big gear boats to carry a "home away from home" that is set-up every night. Our tents are large, spacious, and always top-of-the-line. You don't even have to set your tent up - our guides are happy to do that for you. Once at camp you have plenty of time to do whatever it is you'd like. There is always an excellent hike nearby, always a swimming hole to enjoy, and always a knowledgeable guide seconds away to help you find what you need. Or, if you'd prefer you can simply relax in camp, sip wine, and watch the river flow by.

It's easy to see why our trips would make great gifts. If you're still looking for that gift for tomorrow's big day, save yourself a trip into town and pick up the phone. Call us at 1-888-997-8399 and prepare to give the gift that, you know, keeps on giving.

Eddy Out: Veil Falls on the Middle Fork of the Salmon

2010-02-12T07:37:00.000-08:00

Veil Falls, mile 81, is an impressive spring-fed waterfall that drops into a giant cathedral of mint and granite. From the river it may not look like much. But once you've scrambled over boulders and gone up the canyon wall nearly 200 feet you'll see why it is worth the stop.

There are three parts to the Veil Falls adventure: First is getting up to the falls, second is relaxing and enjoying the waterfall, and third is making is back down to the boats. Slow and steady always wins the race, especially at Veil. There's a well-worn path that leads to the cathedral but gravity is working against you on your way up. Veil Falls is not a drive-by, though, so you can spend as much time as you would like admiring the falls.

When the wind changes directions the drops of water turn, spiraling there way to the floor. You may be caught soaking in the afternoon sun rays one moment, only to be soaking in the waters from above the next. The ground is coated in mint leaves. Roll some up and put them in your nose. It sounds weird, right? Next, find a flat rock to lie down on and look up. Try to watch an individual drop of water fall from the very lip at the top all the way to the bottom. (photo above/right: Veil Falls twisting and turning on a windy afternoon. Photo by Tysun McMullan)

On the walls of the cathedral are pictographs, which further adds to the magic of this place. Often times we arrive and a herd of Big Horn Sheep are grazing at the base of the falls. Veil Falls is a must-make stop on the Middle Fork. You'll be glad to have made the trek to this beautiful place.

Random interesting fact about Veil Falls:

Very close to this location Barry Goldwater and Andy Anderson found a stick with "Bob McCollom L.H. Atkins 1889" carved into it.

Top 3 Tips for Whitewater Photography

2010-01-28T08:07:00.000-08:00

Surf's up on the River.
Photo by Tysun McMullan.

Nothing pushes the post-vacation blues away better than flipping through stellar photos of your trip. And nothing revives the memory like some action-packed shots of you and your friends or family pounding through big rapids.

The most exciting part of a river trip is getting downstream. Running the rapids - big waves, holes, and missing rocks. At the bottom of most rapids there are big pools where we pull over to watch the upstream boats come through. This is enjoyable - watching your friends drop into wave after wave while hooting and hollering.

Hooting and hollering all the way downstream.
Photo by Tysun McMullan.

And, of course, this is where we see a lot of cameras come out of the dry bag. Photo after photo is blurry, too dark, too much light, accidental flash, no flash... You name it, we've all done it.

I caught up with professional whitewater photographer Tysun McMullan to learn what it takes to produce, not just good shots, but great shots. I asked him what he thought the "Top-3 Tips" would be for someone trying to capture the perfect whitewater photograph. Here's what he had to say...

Charging down Sock-em-dog on the Upper Kern River.
Photo by Tysun McMullan.

The Top 3 Tips for Whitewater Photography

1. Shoot in Aperture Priority Mode. Set your Aperture to 8. (this is in order to keep at least the entire raft, kayak or swimmer in focus. An aperture of 8 will give you about 10 to 12 feet of focus range from your center focus point.

2. Set your focus mode to continuous and keep your subject in the center of the frame. If you want to recompose you can crop it later. You are only worried about the focus sensor being somewhat near the center of your boat. In continuous mode the focus will keep changing as the boat moves toward or away from you.

3. Lastly adjust the ISO according to the particular light situation you are in. I.E. In the shade you would use a higher ISO in order to keep your shutter speed at least at 500. This is all while keeping your aperture fixed at 8. and your focus in continuous mode. The only thing you should be messing with is the ISO.

Remember to keep the boat in the center of the frame -
you can always crop in post-production. Photo by Tysun McMullan.

About the Photographer

During the summer Tysun McMullan photographs for Kern River Outfitters on their Lower, Upper, and Forks of the Kern rafting trips. After 10 years as an editor at MTV Networks he decided to break off and pursue some of his own passions. Now he produces, directs and edits fly fishing films and take photographs for various travel and outdoor sports magazines. Check out his website at: http//:www.tysun.net.

The Best River Trip in the World

2010-01-19T06:50:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week when National Geographic came out with news that the Middle Fork of the Salmon had been ranked the third best whitewater river trip in the world we were ecstatic – but not surprised. We’d been saying this for decades. What did surprise us, however, was how long it took for the Middle Fork to gain some attention.

When we first started outfitting trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon we realized just how much the river had to offer. You can find no other river in the world that offers the type of trip the Middle Fork can. The reason? Well, a river trip that sees you dropping nearly 3,000 feet in elevation, traveling over 100 miles, with spectacular hiking opportunities, world-class trout fly fishing, and of course fun whitewater is just hard to come by. Add-in the fact that it flows through the 2.3 million acre Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area and you’ve got yourself the ultimate wilderness river experience.

The Middle Fork's Canyon is the most remote river canyon in the Lower 48:

A journey down the Middle Fork of the Salmon is more than just a rafting trip. It is an experience of so much more than whitewater. Those who float through the Middle Fork canyon enjoy more than the thrill of going downstream. It’s about seeing America’s most remote river canyon outside of Alaska. It’s about camping along the banks of a free-flowing river. It’s about soaking in hot springs rich with history – the same springs Native Americans soaked in, that early hunters and trappers soaked in – and enjoying it the same way they did. It’s about watching your son catch his first cutthroat trout – and then his second and third.

The Middle Fork is home to beautiful cutthroat trout:

The Middle Fork of the Salmon represents to us what the ultimate river trip is and for that we are thankful to offer our customers what we consider to be the best river trip on Earth. Join in our enthusiasm for this river and visit the Middle Fork of the Salmon in 2010.

On the Middle Fork, it's not uncommon to arrive at camp and think
"this is the most beautiful place on Earth":

Ready to learn more about the Middle Fork?

• Idaho River Journeys' Middle Fork of the Salmon page.
• Middle Fork of the Salmon fly fishing information (opens as PDF).
• Sign up for a trip down the Middle Fork.
• Read the National Geographic article about the top rivers in the world.

Middle Fork of the Salmon | August 1-6, 2009

2009-08-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

The August 1 – 6 Middle Fork trip had everything a memorable river trip should have: Exciting whitewater, good fishing, great food, and interesting weather. Five out of six days had warm sunny weather, and the water level at the top was 2.1 feet.

The group that started at Boundary Creek included the families of David, Andrea, Max, Daniel, and Dylan; Adrienne, Charles, and Abigail; and Paul, Mary, Grace, young Mary and young Paul, as well as old friends Bea, Lauren and Hank. Joining us at Thomas Creek on Day Three for the balance of the trip were Marie, Greg, Hilary, Amaya, Gabe and Ted.

The guides were Tom, Scooter, Matt, Erin, Skip, birthday girl Rachael, and Mike.

We had some wonderful camps along the way, each with a different highlight:

- Sheepeater (great hot springs with too hot, too cold and just right pools)

- State Land Right (where we tossed up a tarp to shield us from a pre-dinner squall)

- Shelf (where we took a beautiful 1.5 mile* hike to the Loon Creek hot springs)

- Driftwood (where a dramatic 2:00 am wind storm woke everybody up to see cloud racing by the full moon)

- Parrott Placer (where the guides took the kids on a paddleboat rodeo ride and we held Pirate Night)

At this time of season, the Middle Fork is in prime condition for inflatable kayaks. At one point or another, almost all the guests gave the IKs (aka duckies) a spin, and there were exciting runs at Tappen, Jack Creek, Weber, House of Rocks and more. Paul, Hilary, Hank, Ted and Max will all return with stories to thrill their

friends. In a calmer stretch, Charles and Abigail shared a ducky, and Abigail

produced an impressively high number of “giggles per mile.”

General consensus on the meals gave

high marks to the newly introduced Ahi Tuna with soy and ginger marinade. The apple spice cake with caramel sauce wowed the crowd, and the breakfast burritos and Waldorf Salad lunch had high “yum” factors.

Other memories of the trip include a visit to Joe Bump’s cabin (where we found the geocache), hikes to pictographs, an old ranch and to Veil Falls, and sightings of eagle, big horn, otter, osprey and chukar. A number of guests and guides enjoyed some good fly fishing, with the trout rising around almost every bend and at each camp.

On the last morning’s run out to the Main Salmon, thunderstorms chased us down the river, and after a hard rain, all were glad to see take-out, the bus, lunch, and dry clothes.

* Sorry to those of you who thought the hike was longer…Hank and Mike went to Google Earth after the trip and confirmed the one-way distance.

Thanks for joining us on a great trip!

-Written by Mike O'Malley

Here are a few more excellent shots from the trip:

Middle Fork of the Salmon | July 8 - 12, 2009

2009-07-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Our July 8th Middle Fork was a great week on the river with long time guests Rick and Amie and new friends Lee and Val. The fish were jumping, the weather was great and the water hovered around 3’.

We camped at Dolly Lake, Little Soldier, Johnny Walker, Driftwood, and Cliffside.

We caught and released lots of trout as we boated and saw Big Horn Sheep, eagles, and river otter along the way.

On Canyon Appreciation Day we stopped at Waterfall Creek, Veil Falls, and Earl Parrott’s cabin. On the same day we had a memorable rescue of another company’s loose inflatable kayak right below Tumblecreek.

On the last night we had a wine tasting and sampled several delicious varietals. A special guest stopped by our last night camp at Cliffside and entertained us all around the fire.

IRJ guides were Tom Tremain, Skip Volpert and Bob Volpert.

Thanks for joining us on the Middle Fork and we look forward to seeing you back on the river!

Middle Fork of the Salmon | June 3-6, 2009

2009-06-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

Our first Middle Fork trip of the season launched on June 3rd with the water running at 6'. Tom Tremain, who is in his 28th season of river guiding led the trip. Andy Wilkin, who just graduated from University of Idaho last month was our other guide. Guests, Russ and Michelle were stoked to be on the river at this big water level and were tons of fun to be around. Company owners, Bob Volpert and Mary Papale wanted to get in on the high water excitement and went along on the trip.

Bob, Andy, and Mary getting ready for a day on the water:

The Middle Fork was flowing at about 8 miles an hour so we had lots of time to relax in camp, eat great meals and go hiking. Our first night we spent at Dolly Lake and enjoyed a grilled chicken dinner with a spinach salad with pears and blue cheese in a balsamic dressing and Bob's famous rice cooked by Tom. The finishing touch was a dutch oven chocolate cake.

The following morning started off with a large pot of White Cloud's French Roast coffee then Tom's melt-in-your-mouth Artichoke Egg Strata dish affectionately called the "Colonel's D.O." Today was an exciting rapid day as we ran the butterfly-stirring Pistol Creek Rapid. The waves in Pistol were big and came at us from different directions and it was a "ride 'em cowboy run". We all made it through in fine form and then made a stop at Indian Creek to get our permit.

Tom at Indian Creek:

It was a fine surprise at Indian to be greeted by long time Middle Fork Ranger, Sheri Hughes. After a fun visit with Sheri and our camps picked for the next two nights of the trip we continued on our way to Shelf Camp. Shelf Camp is an awesome place to relax and to eat well. Andrew grilled inch and a half boneless pork chops with a lime chipotle marinade. On the side we had garlic mashed Idaho taters and another of Tom's D.O. creations, Zucchini Bake. We topped off dinner with a thin slice of the very rich Caramel Pecan cake. After this feast we decided to hike up to Loon Creek hot springs and take an hour soak. The walk to Loon was just what we needed after dinner and was complimented with Andy's riddles as we strolled along. After a warm hot spring bath we all slept well and late with the guides waking us up with steaming cups of coffee.

Camped at Last Chance just below Big Creek:

We zoomed along on our third day running the Tappan's including the new and exciting Cove Creek Rapid. Haystack was huge and tons of fun. We made a stop at Rattlesnake Cave to check out the pictographs and gather firewood for camp. Tom was so excited to be camping at Last Chance. It was his first time staying there and what a terrific camp. From there you can hike to Waterfall Creek which looked like Niagara Falls. We also walked the bridge near Big Creek and then hiked a ways up Big Creek.

Waterfall Creek was pumping!:

All of this exercise was rewarded by another amazing dinner. We started with smoked trout, then moved on to perfectly grilled steaks with sides of pancetta and spinach pasta and Caesar Salad. Throughout the meal we sipped fine wines, including a Fraser Cab that is made in very small batches by Bill Fraser out of Boise. Dinner was finished with slices of moist carrot cake.

Getting ready to load up on the boats:

Rafting on the Middle ends with a bang especially at this 6' water level. The following day all the way to the Cache Bar take-out we ran giant wave train after giant wave train. The troughs were deep and we hit them all straight and missed the giant boat-flipping holes that dot the Impassable Canyon. With hugs all around on the ramp we toasted the river and a fun four days of boating.

For more photos of this trip, visit our Facebook Page.

Middle Fork Salmon Snowpack

2009-04-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Snowpack in the Middle Fork of the Salmon River drainage is now over 100% of normal. This is going to be a great year for rafting in Idaho. With a snowpack of over 100%, our June trips will pack a bunch of great whitewater, July will warm up considerably for the perfect mix of water and warmth, and August will have the excellent mix of superb fly fishing, whitewater, and weather.

Our August 1st trip still has space and is normally a first-to-fill date. If you want to join this fabulous trip, give us a call today: 1-888-997-8399.

Middle Fork Salmon High Water Contest

2009-04-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

The annual Middle Fork of the Salmon High Water Contest will be coming to a close on April 15th at 11:59 PM. If you get a kick out of predicting flows and want a chance at winning some cool river gear, now is the time to enter the contest.

To do so, visit the Middle Fork Salmon website and click on "High Water Contest". Next, fill out the form and hit submit. Good luck!

Interested in floating the Middle Fork Salmon during high water? Join Idaho River Journeys on our June 3rd, four day blast down the river. The water is guaranteed to be higher (and faster), and an adrenaline-pumping ride!

River Rafting Vacations - The Real All-Inclusive Family Trip

2009-03-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent press release about our rafting trips. For the actual release, please visit it here: River Rafting Vacations

Boise City, ID - Those all-inclusive trips touted by cruise lines and beach resorts can sound too good to be true, and they often are. When the extra-fees for popular “not-included” activities are added to the bill, the tab for the family vacation can easily double or triple. Few all-inclusive vacations actually are, but a river rafting vacation is one that fulfills the promise.

Once a family boards the rafts, there are no add-ons or surprise charges. Today’s outfitters provide services rivaling high-end resorts. Guides pride themselves on serving Dutch Oven cuisine, teaching kayaking or fly fishing skills to guests, leading hikes, doing naturalist interpretations, sharing history and, of course, expertly navigating rapids. With a typical guest-to-guide ratio of only four-to-one, it’s like having a private instructor guiding you with each activity.

“The idea that a rafting trip is just about whitewater isn’t true anymore,” says Bob Volpert, owner of Idaho & Oregon River Journeys, an outfitter on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Rogue River in Oregon. “People come for the rapids and scenery but it’s the complete experience that brings families back.”

Outfitters report that the market for their trips has changed in recent years. River rafting vacations have become popular with multi-generational family groups looking to vacation together and experience a variety of activities. Dave Mills, owner of Rocky Mountain River Tours, says that “Middle Fork of the Salmon trips have plenty of opportunities for kids to get their adrenaline pumping.” For those eager to simply relax, Mills adds, “Oar boats rowed by a guide provide a comfortable, safe ride for those who would rather take in the scenery or fly fish.”

Jerry Hughes runs Hughes River Expeditions and outfits on the Snake River, Salmon and Middle Fork in Idaho. He thinks that the ease of planning, the adventure, and the opportunity for families to spend time together without distractions attributes to the popularity of river rafting vacations. “Sitting around a campfire with your kids is an experience we once took for granted,” Hughes notes. “But in today’s techie world, it’s something wonderfully rejuvenating.”

The outfitters mentioned offer three to six-day river rafting trips on the most famous rivers in Idaho and Oregon. Prices vary but are generally $200 to $400 a day, per-person. Included are meals, river equipment, local shuttles, tents, sleeping bags, camp chairs, and just about everything else you might need, except personal items. Also included are the activities that make a rafting vacation more than just whitewater: hiking, fly fishing, interpretation and those ever-so-elusive family campfire moments.

Middle Fork of the Salmon FOOD

2009-03-06T12:34:00.000-08:00

On all of our river trips, we tend to eat pretty darn well. Our specialty is using the Dutch Oven, which is essentially an outdoor oven. We fill it up with tasty food and dump hot coals on it. Once the food is done, it is simply delicious. One of August trips was recently featured on StarChefs.com. I got a photo CD in the mail yesterday and browsed through some of the photos. The photos made me really hungry, and also wish that I was on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, America's premier wilderness river.

Here are some of the shots from StarChefs.com:

Counting Down the Days

2009-03-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

Are you counting down the days until summer? We certainly are. Native Americans along the Middle Fork of the Salmon and Main Salmon Rivers often kept track of events in a tally fashion. The pictures here show some typical pictographs one may find along the banks of either river.

On our Middle Fork of the Salmon and Main Salmon rafting vacations, we take pride in making our trips much more than just rafting trips: we offer hiking, fly fishing, and many other activities like historical and interpretive stops along the way. Time spent on the river is like no other.

Grand Canyon Rafting Trip Report

2009-02-17T18:37:00.001-08:00

Sean joined Idaho River Journeys on a Main Salmon rafting trip in June of 2008 in which he brought his own boat. Later that year, he participated in a private Grand Canyon trip. Here's his trip report:

IRJ Friends,

Had a great trip on the GC. I admit that I fretted a lot about bringing a smallish boat down there but as you all told me in advance things ended up working out fine. My brother ended up not going so we had 4 boats with 7 ppl. I rowed my 14' Hyside, my friend John rowed his 16' cat, a couple from Boise brought their Aire 156R and the TL brought an ancient 15' Riken with his 12 yr old son.

First flip was in Granite when the 156R got corkscrewed over about halfway down. We re-flipped within 15 mins and they were back in business with no loss of gear and not much got wet either. I ended up getting an extremely wild ride in Granite with my boat more or less completely full of water when I hit something big. I think it was the same feature that flipped the Aire but who knows for sure. We had planned on running Hermit that same afternoon but the flippers wanted a little time to rebuild their confidence so we camped right there at the Hermit camp.

I scouted Hermit the night before and decided to sneak it left but after watching my pal take it right down the gut I changed my mind and did the same. The 5th wave surged right as I hit it and I glided right up on top and my boat stalled for an instant perched high on the wave before zooming down the back. Prob best ride of the trip.

I ran the right shore sneak at Crystal after watching an 18 footer flip in the hole near the right side. I also saw an 18 footer flip in Hermit and 2 other 18s lose passengers in Hance and Hermit. Another 18 hit the island right below the first part of Crystal and they took 3 hrs to get it going again.

Rest of the trip was pretty uneventful till Lava. I did hit a few big holes but all with good momentum and other than a scary stall in a big hole in some obscure GC class 6 rapid called Specter my boat was never in danger. John and I scouted Lava and decided the most fun run would be just right of Ledge Hole. The entry looked a little bit tight but going just right of the big hole appeared to set you up for a fun but do-able ride right through the heart of the rapid. We both ran it just as planned at got an exciting wet ride and waited for the TL and the Boise couple to run it. The TL appeared to go a little more right (away from Ledge) than we did and got sideways and flipped early on. John and I waited till the swimmers got near and recovered the kid and boat and the next boat down picked up the TL from shore and he had dislocated his shoulder somehow but reduced it pretty quickly.

The 12 yr old kid Teal rowed most of the rest of the trip (we ran their boat down the bigger rapids for them) which was uneventful till that new "Pierce Ferry Riffle" rapid around mile 280. We did not scout it and were surprised at the decibel level coming from the river as we approached. The rapid was a tricky one with a big rock in the middle and not much time to make the left/right decision at the top. Right was a steep chute with uncertain consequences so we all went left. John went too far left and hit a big hole and then got caught in a big toilet-bowl looking recirculating feature that was repeatedly jamming his boat up against the rocks on river left. The Aire and I both pulled back hard and our boats bounced off the big lateral steering us clear of the carnage. I looked back to see Teal hitting that same lateral a bit sideways and the Riken flipped again. Dad and boat came out of the rapid pretty quickly and were recovered and Teal had to put some effort into his swim to get out of the slack water behind the mid-river boulder. We picked him up and re-flipped the Riken and were at South Cove early in the afternoon.

It was a great trip and I know my rowing and river reading are far better now than before.

Thanks again for the encouragement and for the advice and tips up on the Main Salmon. The Main did turn out to be a pretty good introduction to large river dynamics and gave me some good experience and confidence going down to the GC.

Please forward this along to the guides (Beth, Brian, Matt, Phil) along with my thanks for the great trip they ran in June.

Sean

---------------------------------

If you are a private boater who would like to row your own boat on one of our commercial launches, please give us a ring at 1-888-997-8399.

Where's THAT at?

2009-02-05T17:14:00.000-08:00

We've got a photo contest on Facebook right now. Check out the album "Where's THAT at?" and try to guess the correct answer. Don't be afraid to guess twice!

To view the album, visit the Idaho & Oregon River Journeys Photo Page.

Are you on Facebook? Make sure you become a fan of IORJ!

Middle Fork Salmon featured on StarChefs.com

2009-02-03T09:06:00.000-08:00

In August of 2008, we ran a special three-day Middle Fork of the Salmon trip from the Flying B to Cache Bar. The trip featured stellar dutch oven cooking and the beautiful surroundings of "Impassable Canyon".

Joining us on the trip was Antoinette Bruno, CEO of StarChefs.com. We were recently featured on their homepage and the article and photo gallery (with some great shots of our tasty meals) was archived as well. It is available for viewing here:

"Get out of the kitchen - and into the Wild on StarChefs.com"

Family Rafting Trips

2009-01-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

People ask us all the time: "is this trip suitable for my child?" There are a lot of factors that turn ordinary rafting experiences into perfect family rafting trips. The first thing to understand is that there are a huge variety in river trips in regard to difficulty, season, length, and outfitters.

As snow piles high in the Sawtooth mountain range, it is easy to see why the Middle Fork and Main Salmon have such huge fluctuations in flow (which is generally measured in CFS: Cubic Feet per Second). In the late spring, when temperatures rise and snow begins to melt, the Middle Fork and Main Salmon typically reach their high points for the year. They tend to spike quickly and fall to reasonable levels within a week, sometimes within days. Soon after, our Middle Fork and Main Salmon seasons begin.

Our first trip of the year is generally June 3rd, and features the highest water of the season. Generally speaking, from here on out the flow will continue to decrease. What this means for families is that the further you go into the summer, the rapids become less intense. This does not mean they are any less fun or difficult: sometimes they become a technical maze of boulders and you'll have fun weaving your way through. But, the intensity level does drop out, making these trips more suitable for youngsters.

Weather also plays a part in your decision to bring your children rafting. In our early June trips and late August trips, temperatures tend to be a lot lower (particularly at night and in the mornings) than on our July and early August trips. Water temperature also is significantly cooler during our "shoulder-season" trips.

When it comes to outfitters for your family rafting trip, make sure you choose one with a history and reputation for family rafting trips. Some outfitters solely run fishing trips, others don't allow their guides to mingle with customers, and some run adult-only trips.

At Idaho & Oregon River Journeys, our business was built with family in mind. Our guides are wonderful role models for your children and they will enjoy spending time with them. We are an energetic bunch, always ready to explore, hike, tell stories, and simply enjoy the river passing by. We are safety conscious and love sharing our world with our customers.

If you have questions regarding your family rafting trip, please give us a call at 1-888-997-8399.

Best Adventure Travel Outfitter on Earth

2009-01-12T16:10:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce that National Geographic Adventure has selected Idaho River Journeys to be distinguished as one of the best adventure travel outfitters on earth. The excitement of receiving this prestigious award won't wear off quickly, but we are already looking forward to capturing the award for a second time in 2010. To read the full review of Idaho & Oregon River Journeys in National Geographic, click here.

Our amazing guides are the ones who make the trips we run so incredible. They are the life and blood of our business and without them we would be any ordinary outfitter. Idaho River Journeys has always been dedicated to bringing our customers the VERY BEST in adventure travel, and we are overwhelmingly delighted to have been recognized at such a high level.

Our customers who took the online survey provided by National Geographic - thank you so much for your participation! We are looking forward to serving all of you in 2009 with big smiles, big rapids, and lifelong memories.

We're headed around the bend;
Can't wait to boat with you again!

Making our trips more affordable...

2009-01-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

Our staff recently attended a meeting of outfitters from across the country. It was hosted by America Outdoors, a national association of outfitters offering a wide variety of outdoor vacations.

Jack Rich, a Montana outfitter offering ranch vacations, said something that caught my attention. “What we offer is just what America needs right now. Rejuvenation with friends and family in beautiful, authentic, wild places.”

At Idaho River Journeys we know that taking a family vacation this year might be a tough choice but we think our trips offer things that no other vacation can provide. There is no question that taking a family to Idaho for a week on the Middle Fork can be expensive but we want to help make it as affordable as possible.

Towards that goal, we’ve asked our staff to forego pay increases and we have kept our prices the same, or lower, than last year. We are not cutting quality and will not modify the way we run trips. What we will do is make as many administrative changes as we can to keep prices low while maintaining our very high customer service standards. For example, if you go with us we’re going to ask that you make your final payment by check instead of credit card. This saves us 4% and will help us absorb our reduction in prices.

We will also help you with shuttle and lodging arrangements in Idaho. Rather than fly from Boise to Stanley or Salmon, we are looking at alternative, more reasonable shuttle plans. We will continue to supply just about everything you need for your trip and will help with travel planning and make your trip as hassle-free as possible.

And lastly, if your party wants to go with us but even with our price adjustments, find the cost daunting, call us. We will do whatever is necessary to make it possible for you to join us.

Come boating with us. You’ll be taking a vacation that will create family memories that you will cherish forever.

Rogue River Rafting: Row-your-own

2008-10-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

Our October 10th Rogue River trip was wonderful. We ran it as a "row-your-own" rafting trip and had folks from all over western Oregon join us. The mix of experience, ages, boats, and folks made this trip an absolute blast.

With us were:
Dan and Jared from Portland, OR
Emilie, Nick, and Erin from Ashland, OR (Go SOU Whitewater Club!)
Dana and Will from Beaverton, OR
Ryan, Danielle, and Paul from Molalla, OR (Check out Ryan's kayaking blog)
Scott from Grants Pass, OR
Martina from Austria (Portland on a study abroad)

Here's a short video clip put together by the SOU Whitewater Club... Enjoy!

August 20th, 2008 Rogue River Trip

2008-10-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

Our August 20th Rogue River Trip was a designated kayak school taught by DeRiemer Kayaking. In 2009 we are offering the same kayaking trip on August 12th and August 26th. Here are a few photos from our 2008 DeRiemer Kayaking Trip:

America Outdoors on the Rogue

2008-09-27T23:01:00.001-07:00

Our September 25th Rogue trip was a trip designed specifically for America Outdoors members. We took three days from Grave Creek to Foster Bar. Our first night was spent at Horseshoe Bend and our second night was at Paradise Lodge.

What made this trip different was that it consisted of only outfitters and guides who had signed up for the trip at last years America Outdoors fundraiser. The mix of different rivers each outfitter offers trips on, geographic regions, and young and old outfitters was astounding. The group consisted of the following:

• Steve Welch with A.R.T.A.
• Dick and Suzy Linford with Echo
• George Wendt and Steve Markel with O.A.R.S.
• Devon Parsons and Kelly Bulkley with Kokopelli Rafting Adventures
• Gary Staab with Adirondack River Adventures
• Andrew Pratt and Susan Howie with Inside-Out Experience
• Bob and Will Volpert with Idaho and Oregon River Journeys

The America Outdoors crew (from left to right):
Devon, Kelly, Andrew, Susan, Bob, Will, George,
Steve, Gary, Dick, Suzy, and Steve. (Click to enlarge)

Dick and Suzy floating down the
Rogue River (Click to enlarge):

George, Dick, Steve, and Bob hanging out
at Paradise Lodge (Click to enlarge):

2009 Schedules are out...

2008-09-24T17:21:00.001-07:00

Our trip schedules for the 2009 summer are out and available for viewing online. Now is the time to book your rafting vacation. Our rates will increase in 2009 but if you book before New Years, we can still offer our 2008 rates. So, book now and -- not only save ($$) -- but secure your spot on one of America's premier rivers.

• The schedule for Rogue River Rafting trips is available here.

• The Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rafting trip schedule is available here.

Hope to see you on the river!

Flowers of the Rogue River

2008-09-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

The lush forest of the Rogue River provides a home for many flowers. On our June trips, not only is Rogue River rafting at its most exciting level (due to high water in June), but gorgeous flowers can be seen around every river bend. With side creeks and waterfalls cascading into the river, another rapids roar around the next bend, and beautiful flowers surrounding you - it's easy to see why rafting the Rogue River is considered one of the worlds finest multi-day river adventures.

To book your Rogue trip for 2009, call Jim Ritter at 1-866-213-7754

A short sampling of some of the flowers within the Rogue canyon:

A Blast from the Past...

2008-09-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

Jo Schroeder, an IRJ guide of over 10 years, on her first rafting trip at seven-years-old:

August 25, 2008 Middle Fork of the Salmon

2008-09-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the great Middle Fork trip! This was a slightly different Middle Fork of the Salmon trip because we launched from Bernard Creek and did a 3-day out to Cache Bar. The Middle Fork of the Salmon has been good to everyone all summer, but sadly this was our list trip down for the year.

Camps:
Night 1: Fly Camp
Night 2: Lightning Strike

On our way down to Fly, we stopped at Little Pine and hiked up the Little Pine ridge to see a spectacular view. The next day truly was "Canyon Appreciation Day" on the Middle Fork as we stopped at Waterfall Creek and Veil Falls to witness the impressive drops.

Guides:
Jo S.
Will V.
Beau L.
Skip V.

Thanks for joining us on the Middle Fork of the Salmon!

Awesome iPhone Application : RiverGuide

2008-09-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

Where rivers and phones meet.

Most people don't associate river trips with cell phones, but that may soon change. Don't worry though, you won't find us chatting up a storm around a campfire on the Middle Fork. Instead, your phone can be used as a tool to help find the rivers or creeks with the right flows in your area. No more guessing on the drive in, no more poring over topomaps, and no more pulling into a Best Western parking lot with your laptop hoping to pick up a few lines of wireless. With RiverGuides, all you need is your iPhone and cell service.

To demonstrate the convenience and importance of an application like RiverGuide, allow me to take you to November of 2007; Selma, Oregon.

A group of Idaho and Oregon River Journeys guides were preparing for a 3-day Illinois river trip at the Rogue River Journeys guide house. It was a Thursday night and flows looked low (740 CFS). The trouble, however, was that the rain drops were starting to fall and, having no laptop or internet connection, we were on our own to guess at the flow. The Illinois is notorious for flash flooding, so we were right to be concerned.

Nevertheless, we didn't want to pull the plug on the trip until we were certain of the flow. At 2:00 AM, Chip Carroll and Ursula Melvin, both long-time IORJ and Kern River Outfitters guides, arrived from Portland, OR. Chip brought in his newly purchased iPhone and the rest of us stood around him like he was a campfire, gawking and pointing as he used the iPhone to download the Illinois river gauge and project the additional cubic-feet-per-second (CFS) per hour. Only 1400 CFS and rising slightly reported the iPhone. We relaxed and went to sleep, thinking we were good to go.

We awoke three hours later to a huge downpour. Checking the iPhone (we were getting good at this by now!), we found that the river was now at 2800 and rising fast, between 400 and 600 CFS every hour. If we were going to see the Illinois we would have to leave immediately and get downstream of the dreaded Green Wall rapid (mile 18) before the flows increased further. So much for a 3-day trip, this was going to have to be a fast one. We loaded up, drove to the put-in and got on the water.

By the time we got on the river, flows were between 3500 and 4000 CFS at the gauge (Kerby, OR). We pushed on downstream and experienced an amazing river and canyon full of water, big rapids, and jaw-dropping scenery. Relaxing around camp next to a fire, we realized what an important tool Chip's phone had been for us. Without it, we may have canceled or, worse, the flows could have been increasing more than we expected and we may have put on anyway, not realizing the danger.

Scouting Green Wall, Illinois River. November 17, 2007:

At the time of this trip, the application RiverGuide had yet to be developed. From this experience, however, one can see the importance of such a tool. We were able to use the iPhone's web-browsing capabilities but it would have been more convenient to have had a tool like RiverGuide.

The trip went well. There was big water but we weren't over our heads. And, heck, it beat the hell out of staying home for the weekend. So, the next time you go boating you can leave most things at home... but don't forget your iPhone with the RiverGuide application.

For photos and video from this epic trip, you can view the trip report:
Oregon Rafting : The Illinois River, November 17-18, 2008

For more information about this iPhone Application:
http://www.riverguideforkayakers.com

Written by Will Volpert

IRJ Team Member: Erin Smith

2008-09-01T07:59:00.001-07:00

If you floated the Middle Fork or Main Salmon with us this summer, chances are you had the opportunity to boat with Erin Smith. This was Erin's first year at IRJ and we are looking forward to having him back with us next year. Along with his enthusiasm, charm, and strong-work ethic, Erin brought 10 years of guiding experience which he gained on rivers throughout the west- from California, Oregon, Washington and other areas of Idaho.

During the off-season he is a history teacher in Washington and will soon be hitting the coastal rivers for some winter boating. Thanks for the great season Erin, it was a pleasure boating with you!

(Click the image below to enlarge)

August 17-22, 2008 Middle Fork of the Salmon

2008-08-24T06:21:00.000-07:00

Dragonflies "float free"

2008-08-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

Fluffy cats do too:

August 9-14, 2008 Middle Fork of the Salmon Trip

2008-08-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

A few more shots...

2008-08-07T06:40:00.000-07:00

John B., who rowed a boat on the June 21st, 2008 Middle Fork trip, recently sent in a few photos to post on our blog. Thanks for sending the shots! If you have photos or video of your own that you'd like posted, feel free to send them to IRJ. E-mail will@idahoriverjourneys.com.

Here are John's photos:

August 1-6, 2008 Middle Fork Trip

2008-08-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

This last week on the Middle Fork of the Salmon was absolutely spectacular. With the water holding we went off "the top" for the last time of the season and did the rock dodging dance with little mayhem. Cove Creek, the big "new" rapid and one of three big blowouts from two weeks ago, was exciting and fun. Thanks everyone for the awesome trip, we're looking forward to floating more rivers with you in the future.

Your guides:
Tom T.
Matt V.
Andrew W.
Jason F.
Erin S.
Will V.
Mike O'M.

Your camps:
Day 1: Lake Creek
Day 2: Upper Jackass
Day 3: Lower Grouse
Day 4: Survey
Day 5: Parrot Placer

Changing Currents

2008-08-06T23:28:00.000-07:00

Updated: September 1, 2008
On our August 25, 2008 Middle Fork trip, we did a 3-day deadhead from Indian Creek to Bernard Creek. On our second day, we got to Cove Creek early to catch some footage of other boaters coming through. Here's the video we came up with:

From the past post:
Cove Creek, a "new" rapid on the Middle Fork, has provided an interesting twist on the Middle Fork. Check out the video of a few of our runs:

July 14-19, 2008 Main Salmon River Trip

2008-07-30T21:58:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for a spectacular trip!

July 24 - 29, 2008 Middle Fork Trip

2008-07-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

Perfect weather, brand new rapids and new friends made for a great week of rafting! Thanks for a wonderful trip. Below are some pictures and a video. Jim posted some GREAT photos (obviously he has much more of a "camera eye" than some of our guides) as a gallery online. To access his photo gallery, please click here.

July 16-21, 2008 Middle Fork Trip

2008-07-23T07:03:00.001-07:00

Updated August 16th, 2008:
Kate sent us some photos from this trip. Thanks for sending! Here they are:

July 8 - 13, 2008 Middle Fork River Trip

2008-07-14T16:29:00.001-07:00

What a trip! When we launched the river was at a fun level of 3.1 feet. Our lead guide, Carl B., thought he had seen it all, that is until Door's rock where Jason decided to take the more interesting route.

Although he appears wrapped,
Jason is just "stopped" briefly to "scout" the rapids downstream:

Later that night, while camped at Fire Island, Momma bear and her two cubs came down to see if we had any left overs from dinner. She was disappointed to see though that we had strapped down all of our coolers-except for one-so she settled with drinking five of our beers and eating Skip's bagels. All the guides stayed up that night, to make sure our "guest" wouldn't get into too much trouble. Around 6 AM the bears said good bye to our camp and headed off downstream.

Dutch oven master and IRJ guide, Andy Wilkin,
cooks up a delicious meal for the bears:

The bears were after the cake, but luckily we ate it first:

Other highlights include the wild surf at Tappan falls (shown in the video), night five elephant croquet, Ken's many swims, beautiful Vail falls and of course, Miss Lick-a-Chick!

Thank you all for a fantastic trip. We had a wonderful time and we're looking forward to seeing you again in 2010!

July 6 - 11, 2008 Main Salmon River Trip

2008-07-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

The Salmon was flowing at 23,000 CFS (Whitebird) when we launched on July 6th. With high flows, this Main Salmon trip featured relaxing "sleep ins" and big water. Our first night was spent at Lower Devil's Teeth. The next day we spent some time soaking at Barth Hotsprings before finding home at Bruin. That evening a few of us boated a paddle boat across the river and then hiked to the top of a cliff.

On our third day we ran the big stuff. Bailey, Five-Mile, Split Rock, Big Mallard, Elk Horn, and Growler were the main highlights. We camped at Paine Bar. The following morning we all slept in and got on the water just before noon. We visited Buckskin Bill's before eating lunch at Cove Camp, just below the South Fork confluence. Later, we pulled into Warren Creek for camp where the wine poured freely and a few kayakers explored Warren Creek. Our fifth day on the river found us hiking Indian Creek and then battling the wind on the way to Maxwell. The highlight of Maxwell was the boat slide and kayak surfing.

Thank you all for an excellent trip on the river. It was an absolute blast floating with each one of you and swapping river stories. We hope to see you on the river again!

June 30 - July 5, 2008 Middle Fork Trip

2008-07-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

On June 30th, 2008, at just a smidgen under 4.0 feet at the gauge, Idaho River Journeys launched from Boundary Creek with Boy Scout Troop 223 from Los Angeles, CA. Troop 223 has molded more Eagle Scouts than any other Boy Scout troop in the country. In fact, one of our paddle boats on the first day was 100% Eagle Scouts.

The first night of the trip was spent at John's Camp, which had just reopened after being closed for fire recovery. It was very interesting sleeping in a camp which had burned the previous year because a lot of little flowers and grasses were beginning to pop back up. Our remaining camps for the trip were: Upper Jackass, Big Loon, Little Pine, and Ship Island.

Upper Jackass offered some spectacular footage of other groups coming through the big hole at the bottom of Jackass Rapid. At Loon Creek we went up to the hot spring, kayaked the creek, fished the mouth, and did a little bit of swimming. On our fifth morning, about half our group left camp at 5:30 A.M. for a stroll up to the top of the Little Pine Ridge to catch the sun rise. When we got to the top, some big horn sheep were waiting for us.

Thanks for joining us, Troop 223. It was a pleasure floating with all of you and we hope to see you on the river again!

Guides:
Andrew W.
Dick W.
Jason
Erin S.
Will V.
Matt V.
Skip V.

Fire Recovery on the Middle Fork

2008-07-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

In August of 2007, the upper stretch of the Middle Fork was exposed to a high intensity fire that temporarily closed the river down. Until recently, some of the most popular campsites have been closed for the start of the 2008 season due to large trees that could potentially fall in a big wind storm.

On our June 30th Middle Fork launch, we had the privilege to camp at John's camp on the first night. This was a camp that had seen some of the most intense fire activity in 2007. Thankfully, it looks like things have begun to start sprouting.

Although it will be years and decades before Middle Fork boaters see green trees reminiscent of years past, this picture offers a reminder that fires are the norm and that the forest will recover. It could take awhile but, hey, we're on river time.

A lone flower at John's Camp. June 30th, 2008

June 28 - July 3, 2008 Main Salmon River Trip

2008-07-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

With healthy flows at Corn Creek our group pushed out headed for a great week of Main Salmon country. Our first night was spent at Little Squaw followed by Bruin, Groundhog, Warren, and lastly, California Creek. We witnessed a fair amount of duckie carnage but all in good fun and we had a spectacular trip. Thank you to those who made this trip memorable, can't wait to see you all on the water again!

Guides and Trainees:
Bob V.
Jo S.
Phil F.
Beth C.
Bryan S.
Matt B.

Sean W. posted a ton of photos on an online gallery. Click here to check it out. Thanks Sean!

June 21-26, 2008 Middle Fork of the Salmon

2008-06-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

With great flows and warm temperatures, this Middle Fork trip was downright wonderful. Mix in some great families and friends and - bingo - we had ourselves the perfect Middle Fork trip. Thank you to all who joined us last week. We had an absolute ball and can't wait to see your faces on the river again.

Some highlights:
1) Who could forget the "animal" paddling (and swim above Devil's Tooth)?
2) Patches-o-Hooligan the bear visited us again and brought some cubs as well.
3) The Little Pine hike was incredible.
4) A boat floated by upside down as we ate lunch on our first day just below Velvet :)
5) John and J.T. ran the Middle Fork for the first time and without looking at anything.
6) Cutthroat Cove had some HUGE waves.
7) David gently slayed and released fish at Wilson Creek.
8) Peter was an absolute champ at River Shuffle Board.
9) The Thai Bistro Salad was "to die for."
10) We were inundated with lovely pranks on night five (tents collapsing, tents gone missing, rubber chicken dutch oven, etc.).

Guides and Trainees:
Tom, Erin, Will, Andrew, Matt V, and Matt B

Camps:
Night 1: Scout
Night 2: State Land Left
Night 3: Johnny Walker
Night 4: Wilson Creek
Night 5: Stoddard Creek

Here's a video:

Here are some pictures (click them to enlarge):

June 12-17, 2008 Middle-Main Combo Trip

2008-06-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Each year we hope to have high flows and good weather for our June 12th Middle-Main combo trip. In six days we float roughly 190 miles, an average of 31 miles per day. This year, the Middle Fork gauge was at 4.72 feet when we arrived at Boundary Creek - essentially the perfect flow. We spent three nights on the Middle Fork and two on the Main Salmon before reaching Carey Creek for the take-out.

George has been on every combo trip we've ever done since the late 70's and recently he has referred to each trip as the "final" or "final-final." This trip was the "final-final-final" but we suspect there may be one more around the corner.

Camps:
Night 1: Dolly Lake
Night 2: Trail
Night 3: Cradle
Night 4: Lower Cory
Night 5: Warren Cr.

Guides and Trainees:
Tom, Will, Andy, Erin, Matt, Jason, Bryan, and Matt

Looking up Big Creek

Bill enjoying lunch at Big Creek

Don, Bob, and Tom

Bob grabbing some dutch-oven breakfast, day 2

Don scoping out the scene

George tests out the oars

Gil and Sam, morning of day 6

Janet and Patrick at Warren Cr.

The IRJ crew

Jason getting ready for a day on the water

Monte ready to slay fish

Stanley, ID. The day before the trip

Tommy T's big water sun glasses

Snowing in Salmon

2008-06-11T06:15:00.000-07:00

Our second Middle Fork trip of the "summer" launches tomorrow (6/12/08). In Salmon, we woke up and thought it was December. Or, maybe it is just snowing in June. We are headed to Boundary Creek in a few hours. At 6,000 feet, it could be a cold night!

See you on the river,

-Team IRJ

June 3-6, 2008 Middle Fork Trip

2008-06-10T19:40:00.001-07:00

Whoohoo! We opened the season off with a bang on June 3rd. The flows were just under 6 feet at the Middle Fork Lodge (5.99 feet, so pretty darn close). What a great trip and a spectacular way to start the season. Here's a slide show with a few video clips tied in as well. Thanks for the great Middle Fork trip!

The Ultimate Father's Day Gift

2008-06-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day is June 15th and coming right around the corner. Have you already picked out a gift? If not (or if you are looking for more), you may want to consider getting dad a six-day river vacation on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. A vacation on the Middle Fork is the perfect Father’s Day gift for the dad who loves the wilderness, excitement, hearty meals, fishing, and exploring.

Here are a few suggestions for choosing the “perfect” Middle Fork trip for dad:

1) Know the adventure he would enjoy the most. Early season trips often have higher water and, thus, are better for the adrenaline junkies. Later in the summer temperatures will warm, days will get longer, and the whitewater tones down a touch – these trips are perfect for those who want to try a little bit of everything: hiking, fishing, rafting, and kayaking. We also offer special fly-fishing trips that are perfect for the dad who loves to fish… and fish… and fish.

2) Find out what his summer schedule looks like. If you know what dates he has available to take-off for a week, your search for the perfect trip will be a lot easier. We offer trip dates that launch once every eight days. For a full view of our trip schedule, click here.

3) Learn more about the bookends of a Middle Fork trip. Maybe he could start his vacation in Sun Valley with a round of golf, spend a week on the Middle Fork, and then head up to Glacier National Park for some back country hiking? The possibilities are endless and we would love to help you plan this aspect of the vacation.

For help with planning your dad’s Middle Fork vacation, call us at 1-888-997-8399.

Best Rafting trips for Families with Youngsters

2008-05-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

By youngsters, I mean kids in the 5 - 12 range. From raising three kids and going on a lot of trips, I can tell you that there is nothing more fun than rafting, camping, eating outside, sitting around a campfire, looking at stars, sleeping in a warm and cozy tent and just hanging out along a river. And miraculously, it seems like kids even enjoy being with their parents when its a rafting vacation with lots to do. And for Mom, its a chance to share experiences with the family and never worry about meals, or any of the other daily chores.

My favorite trip with kids is floating Idaho’s Main Salmon. The rapids are fun, campsites often on big, sandy beaches, the water is warm enough for swimming and there are enough side attractions to keep everyone busy and engaged in the trip. We have paddle rafts and kayaks on every trip so the boating is seldom dull. Very often a family with youngsters will join us on the Main and then a few years later, when the kids are teens, come back and run the Middle Fork of the Salmon with us.

Compared to other family vacations, going on the Main is a terrific value. There are no hidden costs, just about everything is provided, and you won’t be nickel and dimed by side attractions. For most families, the most economical way to do the trip is drive to Salmon and have your car shuttled to McCall where it will be waiting at the end of the trip. This saves on air shuttle costs and gives you a way of visiting other sites before or after your trip. We offer student discounts which will save additional money. A family of five will save $500 by choosing a 5 day instead of 6 day trip. We cover the same distance, just boat a little longer each day.

We’ve done a lot of family rafting trips so give us a call if you have questions or concerns. You might also find our Just for Moms web page helpful. It answers a lot of questions we hear from families planning to join us. Call us at any time. 1-888-997-8399.

Happy Birthday, Jo!

2008-05-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

Jo Schroeder is a true local when it comes to the Middle Fork and Main Salmon rivers. She grew up in Salmon, ID, and began "swamping" for Idaho River Journeys when she was just a teenager in high school. 2008 will mark her tenth year as an official guide on both rivers. Happy birthday, Jo, and here's to another great summer!

Jo Schroeder, Waterfall Creek on the Middle Fork of the Salmon

Social Network Galore!

2008-05-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

IRJ Reminders and Updates:

Idaho River Journeys has a MySpace page at the following link:
MySpace.com/idahoriverjourneys

If you are a fellow MySpacer, please add us as a friend! We like friends! If you are a Facebook user, you can find us by searching for "Idaho River Journeys" in the Facebook search bar.

The Middle Fork is spiking hard this week, up to nearly 8.5 feet at the MF Lodge gauge. Incredible! It is going to be a great year for water and we still have space on one of our most popular launch dates: July 24th.

Pre-season work has been keeping some of us busy. Bob Volpert and Tom Tremain spent last week in our warehouse looking over equipment and getting ready for the start of the season. Our first trip launches June 3rd and we'll post some pictures with a trip report once we get off the river.

The Main Salmon at the Whitebird gauge spiked over 80,000 cubic feet per second. Whoa! Did we say it was going to be a GREAT water year??? Yes, we think so.

Looking forward to the summer. See you all soon!

-Team IRJ

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 versus 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. Most outfitters are proud of their menus and shouldn't hesitate to send it to you.

#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 but still 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?
Our guides do not use any tobacco products. We long ago recognized that on family trips guides were often role models and using tobacco was not acceptable. If an outfitter hasn't addressed this issue with their staff, I'd be hesitant to take their trip.

#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 and I'd be wary of any company that touts them as being equal to California's. 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

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!

Guides getting ready for the season

2007-05-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

With June just a short nine-iron away, three of Idaho River Journeys guides decided it was time to test out the waters and get back in the whitewater action. On May 5th, Will Volpert, Bob Volpert, and Tom Tremain met in Selma, Oregon, to prepare for a two-day Illinois river trip. Two days prior, Bob was driving over the Siskiyou Pass in a massive snow blizzard. After spending a cold friday night in Selma, things took a turn for the best and the sun came out just as the three were pushing off from Miami Bar, the put-in 15 miles west of Selma.

Below: Tom and Bob stopped to look at the famous Green Wall rapid

Below: Enjoying some warm rays on the Illinois river

Below: Tom and Will at camp, May 6, 2007 (notice how proudly they are sporting their new Idaho River Journeys fleece jackets)

Here's a video of a run at Green Wall on May 5. This wasn't the IRJ group but we got to Green Wall a few hours later after this run.

They reached Oak Flat around noon on sunday. From there, Tom took off to join Kern River Outfitters on a guide trip down the Forks of the Kern, Bob headed up to Salmon, Idaho to prepare for the upcoming Idaho season, and Will went back to Ashland, Oregon to finish-up his spring term at Southern Oregon University. The great news for our 2007 guests? The three of them got all the winter wrinkles out of their boating skills and everyone should enjoy upright boats and big smiles on the Middle Fork and Main Salmon this coming summer!

Spring Break = Utah

2007-04-03T22:59:00.000-07:00

The combination of the words "spring" and "break" will often bring a college student's thoughts to Mexico or some other place involving the beach and warm weather. For Matt Volpert, guide for Idaho River Journeys and freshman at University of California at Santa Barbara, Spring Break was a trip to Utah and six days of hiking dusty, cold, and wet terrain.

Driving 14 straight hours from Santa Barbara, California, to Escalante, Utah, was not so exciting. "From there we hiked into the Glen Canyon area and explored various creeks which featured amazing natural arches, huge canyon walls and gorgeous red rock scenery," Matt wrote. "On one of the days we were hit with wind, rain, snow and hail-all the while the weather reminded me of my decision to only wear a t-shirt because I assumed the morning sun would hang around."

From there he headed to Bryce Canyon, which he also dubbed a "geologist's dream because of the weathering that has occured there." On his last day he also checked out the Zions before committing to the 14 hour drive back home. Now, back in Santa Barbara, he doesn't have his hiking shoes on but the river booties aren't far from reach. "It's almost river season and I just can't wait to get back on the river." Well, we can't wait to hear the rest of his adventures.

Below: Taking a break while surrounded by towering rocks

Another Great Video

2007-02-20T11:54:00.001-08:00

One of our guests, Patrick Cumby, recently posted a video of his six-day rafting trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River with us. His video shows a lot of footage of the amazing Middle Fork scenery, as well as some "ducky carnage" and fun rapids. If you have a video from your trip that you would like posted just let us know!

-posted by Will Volpert

Idaho Whitewater Rafting Video

2007-02-20T11:47:00.000-08:00

Check out our new video that was recently published on YouTube. It has a lot of pictures from previous summers from both the Middle Fork and Main Salmon. If you see yourself, leave a comment and say "hello!"

-posted by Will Volpert

Do you have a menu idea?

2007-02-09T08:29:00.000-08:00

In planning our menu, our goal is to serve meals that enhance your rafting vacation. The meals we serve are hearty, distinctive and delicious. We are meticulous about the food we take on our river trips and the way we prepare it. Our produce is scrupulously fresh, selected well before it gets on a store shelf. We carry plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and a local butcher hand picks our meats and fish.

At every meal we have a vegetarian option, and we can accommodate special food requests if made well in advance. We provide a variety of beverages including coffee, tea, juices, sodas, beer a selection of premium wines and plenty of ice.

However, at the end of every summer our guides get together and talk about what could be changed or improved. Nearly every year one or two things on our menu gets removed. Some things on our menu never change. Our delicious dutch oven cakes are a crew and customer favorite and have become our staple items (of course it helps when Dick Wilkin, our long-time Middle Fork and Main Salmon guide- and also the Idaho Dutch Oven State Champion- bakes them).

Do you have an ideas for a new menu item? Do you think something should be changed? We're open for any suggestions and would love to hear your ideas. Use the comment feature to post your thoughts. Thanks!

-posted by Will Volpert

Idaho River Journeys has a MySpace and Facebook

2007-01-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

We have finally broke down and joined the rest of the world on MySpace. You can check out our page at: www.myspace.com/idahoriverjourneys. On our page we have a bunch of great photos and a really cool video/slideshow. Make sure you add us as your friend! Also, in Facebook search for "Idaho River Journeys" and you'll find our page. Thanks for checking it out!

Idaho River Journeys has a new blog!

2007-01-09T16:25:00.000-08:00

Thanks for checking out our brand-spanking-new blog! We hope to post current river news, summer-time river deals, and of course any other river issues that you might find interesting and informative. Stay tuned!