The Wild and Scenic Salmon River runs through the 2,366,757 acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Its waters are the purest in the lower 48 states.
NOTE: This post is preceded by a post on our 1981 and 1997 Salmon River trips. The Main Fork, in 1981, and the Middle Fork, in 1997: https://wordpress.com/post/believesteve.org/18530
2009
In 2009, we were invited by our friends, Michele and Marcos Puigarri, to join their Middle Fork trip. It being late summer (8-21-09), we again chose Indian Creek as our launch point.
We met at the Village Inn, in Challis, ID
Middle Fork Aviation, Challis, ID
Kathy
Michele
View towards the White Cloud Mountains
Indian Creek, again. As before, we circle over the strip to lose altitude.
The final approach
Kathy
It took 5 flights to get us and our gear to riverside
No electricity, no power inflator. Scott pumps.
The ramp and put-in, Mile 25
We are checked-out by USFS Ranger Amanda
Look at that clear water! Mile 25+
Indian Creek enters on the left, Mile 26.1.
Little Soldier Creek, Mile 30.6.
Lunch stop at Little Soldier Creek
Inlet of Little Soldier Creek, Mile 30.6
Rafts arrive at Marble Creek Camp, Mile 31.7
The Puigarri brothers rig-up, as Scott looks on
Marble Creek Rapid, Mile 31.7
same as above
Marble Creek Rapid. Scott, Laura and Sue
Pack bridge at Marble Creek, Mile 31.6
Hot Springs at Sunflower Flat, Mile 32.6
Marcos catches a cutthroat on a streamer
Lunch and a snooze, at Jackass Camp, Mile 37.2
Jackass Rapid, Mile 37.2
Mile 40ish
Culver Creek Camp ahead, Mile 45.6
Culver Creek Camp
same as above
Above Whitey Cox, Mile 45.9
Whitey Cox area, Mile 46.2
Whitey Cox Camp, Mile 46.2
White Creek pack bridge, Mile 47.7
Kathy, with cutthroat, Mile 47.8
Shelf Camp, Mile 48.1
Above Big Loon Creek, Mile 48+
Big Loon Creek, Mile 49.3
Lunch, at Big Loon Creek, Mile 49.3
Squawfish (aka Pike Minnow), caught on a Wooly Bugger, Big Loon Creek
Underwater Canyon, Mile 50+
Scott, at Hospital Bar Hot Springs, Mile 52.1
At Grouse Creek Camp, Mile 56.5
Evening at Grouse Creek Camp, Mile 56.5. A great camp!
Rattler!
Snake tossing, Marcos
Tappen Falls, Mile 57.9. The camera catches Joe grimacing …
… and Kathy exulting
Marcos at the oars, with Diego
Tappen #3, Kathy
Tappen #3, Marcos and Diego
Tappen #3, Scott
Tappen #3. Commercial raft with sweep oars, a Salmon River tradition
Below Tappen #3, Mile 58.4, upstream view
Entry of Camas Creek, Mile 59.9
Camas Creek, Mile 59.9
Wide-angle view at Camas Creek lunch spot, Mile 59.9, with upstream to the left
Camas Creek, Mile 59.9. Three women on a rock.
Downstream view to Aparejo Point, Mile 62
Above Aparejo Point Rapid, Mile 62.6
The cutthroat trout is named for the red slash seen on its lower jaw
Clematis vine
Approaching Sheep Creek Camp, Mile 65.3
Pine, Sheep Creek Camp, Mile 65.3
Sheep Creek Camp, Mile 65.3, Laura
Diego is very pleased with his purchase of ice at the Flying B Ranch, Mile 66.8
The very rocky Haystack Rapid, Mile 68.1
Jack Creek Rapid, Mile 70.7
Jack Creek Rapid, Mile 70.7
Above Wilson Creek, Mile 72.7
Approaching Wilson Creek, Mile 72.8
Wilson Creek Camp, Mile 72.9
Entry of Wilson Creek, Mile 72.9
Area above Survey Creek, Mile 73
Commercial trip at Survey Creek Camp, Mile 74.8
Woolard Creek Camp, Mile 74.9
Cutthroat trout caught on a grasshopper imitation, Mile 74 area
Above Fly Camp, Mile 75.6
Bobtail Creek, Mile 76.4
Waterfall Creek Rapid, Mile 77.8
Entry of Waterfall Creek, Mile 77.8
Big Creek enters from the left, Mile 77.9. The section of river canyon called Impassible Canyon begins here. The Middle Fork trail, which has followed the river from the start, leaves the river here.
Camp at Cutthroat Cove. Diego fishes. Mile 78.9
Kathy and Steve, at Cutthroat Cove Camp, Mile 78.9
Then I went through the chair!
Packing up, at Cutthroat Cove Camp, Mile 78.9
Mile 82 area. One of the nicest walls in the canyon.
Mile 82 area. Sue
Lichen, Mile 82.5 area
Redside Rapid, Mile 82.7. Kathy
Papoose Creek, Mile 84.4, river left
Ship Island Creek and Peak 5548′, Mile 84.5
Parrot Cabin grotto, Mile 87.9
Approaching Upper Cliffside Rapid, Mile 88.6. Sue
She swam
Upper Cliffside Rapid, Mile 88.6. Kayaker surfs top wave.
Upper Cliffside Rapid, Mile 88.6. Another kayaker.
Upper Cliffside Rapid, Mile 88.6. Joe and Sue.
Upper Cliffside Rapid, Mile 88.6. Marcos and Diego
View at Cliffside Camp, Mile 89.7
Rubber Rapid, Mile 91.1
Hancock Rapid, Mile 92.2, Diego
Hancock Rapid, Mile 92.2, Marcos and Diego
Solitude Camp, Mile 92.7, Marcos and Diego
Devil’s Tooth Rapid, Mile 93.4, commercial trip
Devil’s Tooth Rapid, Mile 93.4. Commercial sweep boat we saw earlier.
Devil’s Tooth Rapid, Mile 93.4, Joe
Devil’s Tooth Rapid, Mile 93.4, Kathy
Devil’s Tooth Rapid, Mile 93.4, Marcos and Diego
Devil’s Tooth Rapid, Mile 93.4, kayaker
same as above
House Rocks Rapids, Mile 94
same as above
Swells on a tongue, Mile 95 area
At the confluence with the Main Fork, which comes in from the right. Banded gneiss bedrock is seen through the water. Mile 96.3
Another look at same. Interesting!
We join the Main Fork, turning left.
Stoddard pack bridge, Mile 96.9
Cramer Creek Rapid, Mile 99
same as above
The take-out at Cache Bar was less than a mile downstream, at Mile 99.7. Thanks, Puigarris, for inviting us on your trip!
See Part #1, of our Salmon River trips in 1981 and 1997, with the Main Fork in 1981, and the Middle Fork in 1997: https://wordpress.com/post/believesteve.org/18530
