1-800-346-6277Middle Fork of the Salmon River Hiker Special
$1982
River Rating  | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Class III (Hiking is considered moderately strenuous) | 12 yrs |
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Middle Fork of the Salmon River Hiker Special - Overview
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River has long been considered a classic North American river trip. Revered by whitewater and wilderness enthusiasts worldwide, the Middle Fork Salmon runs through the heart of the Frank Church "River of No Return" Wilderness offering the quintessential Idaho whitewater rafting experience combined with unrivaled alpine scenery, dramatic granite gorges juxtaposed against soft rolling hills, hot springs, side creeks and waterfalls, Blue Ribbon trout fishing, and endless Idaho hiking opportunities. On our Hiker Special itinerary, intrepid travelers have the unique opportunity to experience the Middle Fork as most hikers could only dream, with the expert support of our experienced O.A.R.S. outdoor guides. Each day we set out on a new hike to explore – from the Salmon River on up – the routes to Bear Creek Point overlook, Big Creek, Veil Falls, and Nugget Grotto. On most days, we spend a few hours in our rafts traversing the Middle Fork’s incomparable whitewater and a layover day provides us with more than one full-day hike to some rarely visited gems of the Frank Church Wilderness Area.
Middle Fork of the Salmon River Hiker - Itinerary at a Glance
- Meet your O.A.R.S. guides for a pre-trip meeting the night before the trip at the Mountain Village Resort in Stanley, Idaho
- Enjoy a scenic flight to our put-in at Thomas Creek
- Enjoy the best of Idaho rafting through fantastic alpine scenery, deep green forests, dramatic mountains and crystal clear creeks
- Raft for most of the day to camp and enjoy a moderate hike to Loon Creek Hot Springs
- Try your hand at an inflatable kayak on the Salmon River's Middle Fork with exciting Class III-IV whitewater
- Take an all-day hike to Bear Creek Point overlook
- Feast on a delicious riverside dinner, take a swim, and relax by the fire with a glass of wine
- Watch the scenery change from high mountains to rolling hills as you float through Idaho landscapes
- Idaho's forests give way to miles of open grassland dotted with cool glades of pine
- Run classic rapids like Rubber and Hancock
- Have another soak in a hot spring and visit caves decorated with Sheepeater Indian pictographs
- Hike up Big Creek then explore the magnificent Veil Falls plummeting into a natural amphitheatre
- Hike to Nugget Grotto
- Reach the confluence of the Main Salmon and head back to civilization
Although the hikes along the Middle Fork of the Salmon are generally only moderately strenuous overall, trails can at times be steep, rocky and narrow with exposed sections. The Hiker Special Itinerary is therefore not recommended for people who have a fear of heights or children under the age of 12 years.
- Weather
- Packing List
- Trip Planner
- Recommended Reads
| Average Temperatures | ||
High |
Low |
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65° - 80° |
45° - 65° |
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| Water Temperatures | ||
55° - 65° |
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Current Conditions
What to bring on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River Hiker Special trip
This is a sample list. Please refer to your trip planner for a detailed list for your particular trip. If you do not already own any of the items on the suggested packing list feel free to call our office for suggestions. However, many of the items listed are available for purchase online in the OARStore. Please be mindful of the natural environment when purchasing items for your trip. Whenever possible, consider recyclable containers, rechargeable batteries, natural (non-toxic) sunscreens, lotions, biodegradable soaps, and so on.
Equipment:
- Water bottles: 2 each with a minimum 1-liter capacity plus 2 locking carabiners to attach them to the support boat
- Headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries and bulb
- Plastic bags: large trash bags and zip-lock bags to separate clean and dry clothes from wet and dirty
- Camera and accessories
Personal Items:
- Sunglasses with securing strap and a spare
- Towel: small, quick drying, and washcloth
- Toiletries including biodegradable soap and shampoo with moisturizer (Nature's Gate is recommended by our guides)
- Sunscreen: waterproof and SPF 30 or higher
- Lip protection: SPF 30 or higher
- Moisturizing lotion or cream: 1 bottle (Skin tends to get REALLY DRY – this is a VERY important item!)
- Insect repellent (with DEET)
- Personal first aid kit (Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, moleskin, eye drops, etc.)
- Spare pair of glasses and/or contacts (Blowing sand can cause problems for contact wearers)
- Cash for gratuities and goodies
Clothing:
- Long-sleeved shirt: 2 lightweight and light color for sun protection (UPF rated shirts are great)
- Long pants: lightweight and light color for sun protection (no jeans while on the river)
- Shade hat or visor with securing strap and a spare
- Bandanas
- Rain jacket & pants: waterproof (not water resistant) to protect you from the wind and splash from rapids, as well as rain. A hooded jacket is recommended as well as good secure closures around your head, neck, wrists, and ankles to prevent water from seeping in
- Swimsuits: 2 (two-piece suits recommended for women). Tankinis are a great option
- Underwear: quick drying
- Shorts: 2 pair lightweight, and quick drying
- Hiking shorts: 2 pair (some people prefer different shorts for the river and hiking)
- T-shirts or lightweight quick-drying tops: 3
- River sandals (such as Teva): 1 pair to wear in the boat and for short wet hikes
- Athletic shoes or lightweight hiking boots: 1 pair, comfortable and with good tread
- Hiking socks: 3-4 pair mid-weight
- Synthetic long underwear top & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
- Fleece top & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
Additional Essentials for Fall:
- Extra pair of dry shoes for camp
- Wetsuit booties and/or neoprene socks
- Additional fleece top and bottom
- Warm hat and gloves: synthetic or wool
- Fleece vest
Optional Items:
- Sarong: also useful as a cover-up from the sun, when bathing or to discreetly change clothes
- Solar shower: small “solo” showers heat up faster and are easier to use
- Bathing towels/wipes: pre-moistened disposable wipes such as Coleman Swash Cloths
- Binoculars: small
- Whiskbroom: small (no long handle) to sweep wet sand off tent and ground cloth
- Splash jacket and pants
- Paddling gloves
- Lightweight cord and clothespins for drying clothes in camp
- Notebook and pen
- FUD, Feminine urinary device
- Fanny pack/day pack for people who enjoy hiking. It should be large enough to carry water, lunch and camera, as well as a warm layer of clothing for spring and falls trips.
- Fishing gear
Download our travel planner here:
Middle_Fork_Salmon_River_Trip_Planner.pdf
Trip planner is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.
