Main Salmon Serenity

Trying to eek the last drops of summer, Brian & I loaded up Silvia and headed East to central Idaho to float the 80+ miles of the Main Salmon wilderness run. This class III/IV section of river really sees it’s season in mid summer, but with plenty of water in that region this past winter, flows were up enough to make a great mellow-water river trip. While the whitewater wasn’t much to splash at, the wilderness experience of that pristine canyon will soothe any soul. The long drive was well worth our six days on the quiet river, where we maybe encountered three other groups the whole time. Spectacular beach camping, insanely perfect weather, an arduous side hike, a handful of fish, and one of the best riverside hot springs baths make it a trip well worth repeating at any water level. 

After almost 1,000 mile drive we are at the Corn Creek boat ramp

We arrived a day before we put on, so had plenty of time to rig (and tinker)

Just shy of 2,500 cfs at put in, but that would grow with all the side creeks as we headed down river

B-Mac dialed in and ready to push off

Feels good to be back on the oars

After a few miles we stop for breakfast

Native American pictographs at Legend Creek 

Enjoying the river scenery

Definitely feels like Idaho & not a soul in sight

The river offers many splashy fun class II rapids

B-Mac scouting Alder Creek rapid

B-Mac approaches

And heads down the V

The man is happy to be on the sticks

Night 1 we camped at Devils Teeth Camp

River aps & beers

B-Mac reads the river guide as his DO cooks up some baked potatoes

Steaks & corn on the grill

The DO is a river classic

That this man loves

Last light in camp

Riverside fires every night

Solid dinner for the wilderness

Boats at night & Brian icing his wounded ankle

Devils Teeth camp was BIG

Back on the river, Day 2

B-Mac floating along with a stunning backdrop

Boats tied up for the Black Bar Creek Scout

View of the recently formed rapid, from above

B-Mac deciding his line

And carefully making his way back to the boats

Committed

About to go down

The most amazing thermal pool I've seen riverside

Lunch after our warm dip

River wraps

Though there was plenty of moving water, no river trip lacks the flat water

Chicken on the grill at Hida Creek Camp

River camping does not lack amenities

On the river for day 3, and we are seeing some smoke from the huge amounts of west coast fires

The squeeze at Big Mallard rapid

Brian lining up to get in the slot

Bow down the V with a perfect execution

B-Mac lined up for some more splashy fun

Rocking & rolling

Evening light kisses the canyon

Morning visitors

Back on it

Boulder dodging in the canyon

B-Mac approaches the Francis Zaunmiller Wisner pack bridge

After a big 21 mile day we are settled into Teepee Creek camp

Brian's main focus for the evening

My main focus for the evening

The man is diligent

But once the coals are on, he settles into a cocktail

Weather allowed us to sleep out every night

Getting dessert sorted

More spectacular riverside fire sessions

And stars on this trip were amazing

Another calm morning on The Salmon

A very cold but refreshing dip at the confluence of the South Fork

Which turned out to be a fantastic fishing spot for West Slope Cutthroat

Like shooting fish in a barrel

Gorgeous little trout

Get some, McPherson

Sheep up on the hill

And another wonderful evening in camp – this evening at Rabbit Creek

Wonderful river meal

Only complete with DO cornbread

Some cooler, cloudier weather for day 5

Which was welcome for our side hike

Which afforded us some new perspectives of the canyon

But the hike was pretty serious, taking us 2,400' in just 2 miles

Definitely different muscles than sitting in a boat rowing for 5 days

At the top of the hike

Pano of the surrounding peaks with the small river deep in the valley

Lunch on the summit, just shy of 4,500'

Boaters on the river, down in the canyon

Moody light for the day

Boaters pass us at Bull Creek

Back on the river for a few splashy rapids

B-Mac getting a little wet

Reflections on a calm afternoon

Our final camp was at Middle Sheep Creek camp where I found some very fun side creek fishing

With (not surprising) spectacular evening light & scenery

A little AM drizzle for our lazy morning in camp on day 6

We saw just a few jet boats on our trip as we got near takeout

Smoke is more prevalent as we get lower on the river

B-Mac enjoying some of the last chances at whitewater

Really enjoying it

The Wind River pack bridge is our marker for takeout

Brian approaches the ramp

Another fantastic river trip comes to an end

Butt shot, why not?

The path of our trip