Family Rafting in Idaho Gorges of the Lower Salmon River July 12-16, 2019
HIGHLIGHTS Exciting Class III whitewater Warm water perfect for swimming & water ights Riverside camping on giant sandy beaches Abundant wildlife like river otters and big horn sheep Try out a stand up paddleboard (SUP) ADVENTURE OVERVIEW The Lower Salmon River in Idaho meanders warm, wide and mellow, making it a great rafting getaway for families and irst time rafters. Idaho s Lower Salmon River is home to some of America s most beautiful inland river beaches, super sandy and sprawling alongside clear, mellow pools which are perfect for stand up paddleboarding and playing in in latable kayaks. There s no shortage of thrill seeking either. Some of Idaho s most famous whitewater rapids, gorges and viewscapes like Demons Drop, Snow Hole and Blue Canyon are just around the bend. WILLIAMS STUDY LEADER David Dethier, professor emeritus of geosciences, will be lending his expertise to this family rafting trip. David is an experienced travel study leader, having previously led numerous rafting and expedition style trips for Williams College. QUICK FACTS DESTINATION Lewiston, Idaho PRICES $1,249 adult $1,149 youth (7 15) ADVENTURE TYPE Whitewater Rafting Dory MINIMUM AGE 7 (12 at high water) ADVENTURE LEVEL Class III rapids; cold water with moderate lip or swim potential during peak lows; moderate hiking ACCOMMODATIONS Camping
ITINERARY OVERVIEW Depart Lewiston for a scenic drive to Hammer Creek in Idaho Visit the Nez Perce Museum in Spalding and learn about ancient pictographs Challenge Rollercoaster, Green Canyon, Wright Way Drop, Demons Drop and Pine Bar rapids Journey through Cougar and Snow Hole Canyons each offering a uniquely different perspective on this wild river corridor Visit remnants of ancient Indian cultures and the remains of Chinese stone houses Try Snow Hole Canyon s most exciting rapids: Half and Half, Snow Hole and China Spot eagles, osprey, river otters, beaver, cougar and bighorn sheep Slide Rapid marks the entrance to Blue Canyon, the most spectacular of the four gorges Go on an impressive hike to a vista point, join the Snake River and swim a rapid Pass the con luence with the Grande Ronde; arrive at Heller Bar for shuttle to Lewiston
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR TRIP We ll meet at 7:00 PM in the lobby of the Red Lion Hotel for a pre trip meeting. This is an opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and trip leader, and ask any last minute questions. Your trip leader will give you a through trip orientation and pass out your waterproof river bags so that you can pack your belongings that evening. We will also con irm the meeting time for the next morning. JULY 12 We ll depart Lewiston for a scenic 2 hour drive to our put in at Hammer Creek. (Pine Bar is our optional low water put in.) Along the way, we may stop to visit the Nez Perce museum in Spalding, a fascinating exhibit of Native American artifacts, including beautifully woven baskets and colorful hand made headdresses. At the river, we meet the rest of the crew. After an informative safety talk and some brief paddle raft/in latable kayak instruction, we re off on our river adventure! Those of us ready to get wet might swim through Rollercoaster rapid, at the entrance to Green Canyon. We ll stop to visit some ancient pictographs, and continue the whitewater action with rapids like Wright Way, Demons Drop and Pine Bar. As we loat along the river, we ll keep an eye out for the wildlife. Golden eagles, ospreys and river otters make frequent appearances; if we re lucky, we might also see beavers, cougars and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. The irst day generally sets the pace for our trip. We ll spend a few hours on the water, sometimes stopping for a short hike, a swim, or a visit to pictographs, or another historical site. Come lunchtime, we pull over to a sandy beach and enjoy a delicious picnic. After feasting and relaxing on the beach (or perhaps swimming, a game of Frisbee, a nature walk), we get back in our boats for more exciting whitewater. Be sure to try your hand at the paddleboat and in latable kayak! Mid to late afternoon, we stop and make camp. You grab your bags and set up your tent while we take care of the kitchen and living room camp chairs and the site for tonight s camp ire (if permitted). Read, nap, or just sit back and laugh with friends and family. After a satisfying feast, the evening is yours to spend however you wish. Maybe music, stories, or jokes will bring us together tonight; maybe the popping of the ire, the whisper of the river and the clarity of the big, star illed sky will encourage silent re lection on the amazing wilderness that is, for now, our home.
JULY 13-16 Our journey down the Lower Salmon takes us through Green Canyon, then into Cougar and Snow Hole canyons, each offering a different perspective on the striking scenery around us. All the while, the river slowly unfolds its long and varied history, providing glimpses of old mining and ranching sites, geological displays of basalt formations, remnants of ancient Indian cultures, and remains of old Chinese stone houses. Entering Snow Hole Canyon, we face some of the biggest, most exciting whitewater of our trip: Half and Half, Snow Hole and China rapids. Early season boaters can experience the challenge of Slide Rapid in Blue Canyon; perhaps the most spectacular of the four gorges through which we ve traveled. Hikers in the group might enjoy climbing to a vista point for an impressive bird s eye view of the river winding through the steep and slender canyon. Finally, the Salmon merges with the Snake River, again doubling in size on its run north to the Columbia and west to the Paci ic Ocean. That last day on the bigger river we ll see much increased boat traf ic, evidence of development and multiple use impacts as we continue our loat. A motor may be used on the last portion of lat water to the take out. After passing the con luence with the Grande Ronde we arrive at our take out, Heller Bar, bid farewell to our guides and travel by van back to Lewiston, about a 45 minute ride.
GETTING TO LEWISTON Lewiston is served by Delta with lights connecting through Boise, Seattle, and Salt Lake City. You can also ly into Spokane, Washington, then rent a car or take a bus to Lewiston. Spokane is served by Southwest, Alaska, United, Frontier, Delta, and American Airlines and is approximately a two hour drive (106 miles) from Lewiston. Limited bus service is available between Spokane and Lewiston on Northwestern Trailways bus lines: www.northwesterntrailways.com. The cost is $42 one way or $80 round trip, between the Spokane airport and Lewiston. PRE- AND POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS We recommend that you make reservations well in advance in order to guarantee lodging. (Pre and post trip lodging is not included in the trip cost). Red Lion Hotel (800) 232 6730 or (208) 799 1000 Please mention you are with OARS while making reservations. The special rate for OARS guests, for a double room, starts at $95, depending upon availability. The Red Lion has a lounge, restaurant, and access to an athletic club. It also provides a free airport shuttle. You can store extra luggage, while on the river, for no additional charge. A more economical choice, the Inn America is within walking distance of the Red Lion and offers family suites. Please call them for rates (800) 469 4667 or (208) 746 4600 You may park your car for no charge at either hotel while you are on the river.
INCLUDED IN TRIP COST $1,249 ADULT; $1,149 YOUTH (7-15) Skilled professional guide service All meals from lunch on day 1 through lunch on the last day with limited beer and wine with dinner 3 or 4 nights catered camping Two waterproof bags to hold your gear for the trip (approximate sealed size: 13 diameter x 25 tall). Your Sleep Kit will come already packed in one of the two waterproof bags. Your remaining gear, therefore, must it in one One small waterproof bag for camera and other small items you ll want during the day (approximate sealed size: 17 tall x 9 diameter) Two person tents on a shared basis (there is a $30 charge for a private tent) Sleep kit consisting of a sleeping bag, ground tarp, sheet, pillow and pillowcase and sleeping pad is pre packed and will be waiting for you at camp Personal lotation device (PFD) which must be worn at all times on the river in compliance with safety regulations 12 ounce insulated Klean Kanteen with Cafe Lid to use for drinks in camp For clients with a high interest in using the in latable kayaks, we will bring a limited supply of wetsuits. If you have your own, please feel free to bring it with you Camp chairs Eating utensils, cups and plates Highest quality in latable rafts and related equipment Transfers from Lewiston to the river and back Wetsuit weather dependent (does not include footwear of any kind, including wetsuit booties) REGISTRATION Contact Carrie Aronson at O.A.R.S. 209 753 4786 carriea@oars.com
NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP COST Transportation to and from Lewiston, Idaho Pre and post trip accommodations and meals Single supplement tent ($30) Insurance of any kind, a travel protection plan Items of personal nature (an equipment list is provided below) Gratuities AVAILABLE FOR RENT 2 Person Tent: We provide 2 person tents. It is assumed you will share this tent with another person. You can (if you prefer) have a tent to yourself for an additional charge of $30 per tent. BOAT OPTIONS The number and variety of boats on an OARS trip may vary based on water levels, the number of participants and other factors we take into account when planning your adventure. Please be aware that in doing so we will ask you to share boat time with your fellow travelers. We don t assign boats, nor can we guarantee exactly which crafts we bring, but trust us to provide you with the best possible mix for you and others on your trip. The following boats may be a part of your experience: Oar Raft The OARS lagship. The oar rafts carry the bulk of the gear on most of our multi day adventures. Your guide pilots with long oars from a center mounted aluminum frame. Ample deck space allows for lounging in calm stretches, while the sturdy weight and width of the boat gives your guide con idence to hit the big waves head on. (Two to four passengers.) Dory Dories are the kings of big volume rivers like the Colorado and the Salmon. These rigid boats were irst used commercially in the Grand Canyon by writer/conservationist/river guide Martin Litton. Hard hulled and ultra buoyant, dories shoot through rapids and make wave trains feel like roller coasters. Your guide navigates from the center with two long oars. (Four passengers) Paddle Raft (requires 13 or more trip passengers) The sportiest of crafts we put on the water, everybody handles a paddle while the guide gives directions and steers with oars from the stern. Paddling together is essential to inding the right run, and teamwork begets success. A thrilling way to brave the rapids! Helmets required. Ask an Adventure Consultant about this option, as it is not available on every trip. (Four to seven passengers.) In latable Kayak In latable kayaks loat low in the water, putting you in touch with the pull of the current and splash of every wave. On most trips, double and single in latable kayaks are available, depending on group size. Twelve years is the minimum age in Class III rapids, 7 years for Class II rapids. Helmets required. (One or two paddlers per in latable kayak.) Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Rigid like a sur board, but in latable like a raft, stand up paddleboards are 10 feet long and surprisingly stable at close to three feet wide. Hop on a SUP to turn stretches of calm, lat water into an active adventure! Helmets required. (Fun for one paddler at a time)
TERMS & CONDITIONS Physical Requirements Our primary goal is for you to have an enjoyable experience. The nature of the trip is such that it involves some physical exertion and potential exposure to the elements, including cold water, heat, sun, wind and rain. We have experience accommodating people with a wide range of physical disabilities and/or health conditions, but please consult your doctor if you have medical or health conditions that could impact your ability to participate in this outdoor adventure. Dietary Restrictions We need to know as soon as possible about any dietary restrictions we should consider in planning your trip. If you have additional food allergies or necessary restrictions, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. However, there may be an additional supplemental menu fee ranging from $5 20 per person per day to cover our increased costs. Reservations and Deposits $400/person deposit is required at the time of reservation. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure (April 13). Cancellations and Refunds Your deposit is fully refundable for 7 days after you book when you submit a deposit 7 days or more prior to the inal payment due date. If you must cancel your reservation after the rescission period described above, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the schedule below. We do not make exceptions to the cancellation policy for any reason, including weather, wild ire, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Date of Cancellation Cancellation Fee 179 90 days prior to your trip $100 per person 89 60 days prior to your trip $400 per person 59 days or less prior to your trip No refund Insurance We strongly recommend that you protect yourself, your belongings and your vacation through the purchase of a travel insurance plan. They cover your non refundable payments in most cases, should you have to cancel your trip due to illness or injury yours or that of an extended family member even at the last minute. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, pre existing medical conditions may be covered. No one wants an expensive helicopter to become necessary, but if you need to be evacuated or if an immediate family member dies and the local management agency is requested to notify you by helicopter, the helicopter expenses will be your responsibility. Evacuations can be prolonged, dif icult and expensive. Personal belongings and cameras are carried entirely at the owner s risk, and A.R.S. accepts no responsibility for lost, damaged, delayed or stolen property. Liability Release Everyone is required to sign a standard liability release form before the trip, acknowledging awareness that there are inherent risks associated with the trip. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will sign this form and return it to our of ice before the trip begins. Anyone who refuses to sign the form will not be allowed to participate, and consistent with Hatch cancellation policy, there will be no refund of the trip fees at that time. Responsibility An Important Notice OARS Dories, Inc. and cooperating agencies act only in the capacity of agent for the participants in all matters relating to transportation and/or all other related travel services, and assume no responsibility however caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service, including but not limited to that resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, theft, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or change in transit over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well being of the participants, including cancellation due to water luctuation, insuf icient bookings (this trip requires a minimum of 4 guests), and other factors. There is risk in whitewater rafting, particularly during high water conditions. Rafts, dories and kayaks do capsize. You could be swept overboard. Your guide will make every attempt to assist, but you must be strong and agile enough to self help and loat it out without further endangering yourself or others. We reserve the right not to accept passengers weighing more than 260 pounds or with a waist/chest size exceeding 56 inches. We may decide, at any time, to exclude any person or group for any reason we feel is related to the safety of our trips. We are experienced at accommodating people with various disabilities. Please give us an opportunity to make you feel welcome. We need to discuss any special requirements ahead of time. On advancement of deposit the depositor agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. Prices subject to change without notice.