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Dry Bag, packed and
sealed
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Barth
Hot Springs
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Rafting the Main Salmon
River
The Salmon River has no cities, roads, or
phones only mountains, forest and streams. The River of No Return is one of
Idaho's premier stretch whitewater.
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Main Salmon River photo by Dunbar Hardy
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A River Journey….discover the freedom of
traveling by river. Enter the Salmon River Canyon where you move at the river's
pace and leave the rest of the world behind. With its free-flowing and friendly
whitewater, the Main Salmon is the perfect vacation. Plan your own private
launch date for a reunion of friends & family or secluded corporate
retreat. This river is appropriate for families and all paddling levels. Our
minimum age limit is usually 6 years old, let us know your kids age to properly
advise on best trip dates. Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures is the only
Salmon River outfitter based in Missoula, MT. Missoula is easy to get to,
flying or driving. Basing your vacation in Missoula puts you in the adventure
zone. Other destinations like the Lolo Trail, Lochsa River, Glacier National
Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness are within a short drive from
Missoula.
The Canyon….the Salmon River carves out
the second deepest canyon in North America. During spring run-off this free
flowing river deposits vast white sand beaches which make camp just as fun as
the river! Enjoy a soak in Barth Natural Hot Springs, trip highlight.
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| After a fun-filled day on the river, hike the ridgelines for a view of
the canyon, fish the plentiful tributaries or relax under the shade of a giant
ponderosa pine with a book and a cold beverage. |
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Choose your craft on the River…. Relax
and watch for wildlife on an oar boat, paddle with a team on one of our
self-bailing rafts, or jump in an inflatable kayak for a more adventurous
ride.
Main Salmon Whitewater Workshop
LCTA
Crew |
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The Crew…..Our Salmon River guides have years
of experience on whitewater rivers all over the North America, love the
outdoors and to share their knowledge of the history, geology and wildlife of
Salmon River country. We pride ourselves in our attention to detail in all
aspects of your journey….. River and camp safety, teaching you river
running and outdoor skills and our amazing camp cuisine. As you travel day to
day with our crew you will feel more like part of the LCTA family and less like
a guest. Most of all, we like to have fun and we'll do our best to make sure
you do to!
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From our customers:
"Thanks to all of you
for a wonderful trip. You're real professionals and we enjoyed everything, from
the first moment to the last."
Nancy and Albert
Borgmann |
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| 2008 Schedule of Launch dates |
| 5-Day |
- June 23-27 July 1 |
| 6-Day |
- July 9, 17, August 2, 10, 18, 26, Sept
3 |
| 7-Day |
- July 25 |
Launch dates remain the same from year to year. Trips can be
shortened to a 3-5 day trip by flying out at Mackay Bar Wilderness Lodge or Jet
Boat. Wilderness Lodge stays can be arranged any night on the river. Call us
for rates.
Typical Itinerary
Pre-trip - One day prior to departure, we have a pre-trip meeting at our office in Missoula - 912 E. Broadway, just off the Van Buren Street Exit of I-90. At the meeting we will do introductions and go over last minute details of the trip and answer questions. Please feel free to call us anytime with questions regarding any aspect of your trip. See recommended lodging for hotels, motels & B&B’s near our office in Missoula.
Day 1 - Meet at LCTA 912 E. Broadway for a 7am departure. We recommend being ready to go at 6:45am. We can pick you and your bags up at pre-determined location if you are not within walking distance. Cars can be left at either your hotel or at our office. Unneeded luggage can be locked in your car of left with us. See recommended gear list for packing. From Missoula we will drive to the put-in on the Main Salmon, about 3.5 hour drive. We’ll have lunch along the way. Once we arrive at the Corn Creek put-in, we’ll have a river briefing, pack up the rafts and begin the river journey. We paddle/float to our first nights camp. Camp locations may or may not be reserved based on the group size and other parties on the river. The Main Salmon has dozens of beautiful camps to choose from each day. We usually try to arrive at camp around 4pm, but may be earlier some days based on the designated camps or many other factors. We spend the first hour setting up camp and getting organized. Usually have appetizers around 5pm with dinner around 7pm. Please be sure to let us know if you have any dietary restrictions and/or requests/special occasions. We bring fire-pans for campfire each night.
Day 2-4/5 - Mornings on the Salmon are peaceful and worth enjoying. We usually have coffee ready around 7am and breakfast around 8:30. Once breakfast is served it is pack-up time. It takes a surprising amount of time to pack up camp and load the rafts. So if you are an early riser, packing before breakfast is good. Depart camp by approx 10am. Your guides will go over what to expect each day as far as rapids, hot springs, historical stops, etc…We have lunch on the river sometime between 12-1pm. Be sure to let your guide know if you need a snack during the day to keep your energy up, we always have granola bars or fruit. Evening routine is same as above.
Day 5/6 - Last day. We usually plan a quick breakfast and get an earlier start on the river. Arrive at the take-out for lunch, load up bags and head back to Missoula. The drive is about 5 hours, through some of the most beautiful country in Idaho. You will want to make lodging reservations for this night and flight arrangements for no earlier than the following day.
What we provide
Guided whitewater rafting
and hiking from camp
All necessary river equipment-Coast Guard approved life
jackets, helmets for kayakers, paddles and Dry bag for personal items
Camping equipment-2 person dome tents, deluxe self-inflating
sleeping pads, camp chair and coffee mug
Transportation To and From
Missoula, MT…..maps
All trips depart from LCTA
Headquarters at 912 E. Broadway in Missoula, MT
All meals starting with
day-1 lunch and ending with last day's lunch. Gourmet camp cuisine.
Sample Menu
See recommended gear list, reading & lodging for pre-trip
preparations
| 2008 Prices * |
Per
Person |
Per
Youth |
| Special June 23-27
July 1 |
$895 |
$725 |
| Main Salmon 6-day- July 17-22 Aug 2-7, 10-15 |
$1095 |
$875 |
| Main Salmon 6-day Aug. 18-23, 26-31 and Sept. 3-8 |
$995 |
$870 |
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Tarkio Kayak
Instructors July 9-15 7-day July 25-31
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Call for rates |
| Discounts available
if combined with other LCTA trips, inquire for specific
itineraries. |
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Our prices are
usually lower than the industry average because we opt to drive the shuttle
based out of Missoula, MT. To save some time air shuttles can be charted for
approx. $200-$250 per person.
* Prices do not include US Forest Service Fee Demo
$5.00
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"The water is so rapid and the bed of the river so rocky,
that going by water appeared impracticable; and the mountains so amazingly
high, steep and rocky, that it seemed impossible to go along the river by
land."
Meriwether Lewis
Salmon River
August 25,
1805 |
Whitewater Workshop
4-day Main Salmon trip for guides in training or private
boaters who want to learn more about running thier own extended day wilderness
trips
April 16-20 or 23-27
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Main Salmon trips are
great for the whole family.
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Our meals are prepared
fresh on the River.
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Campfire on Maxwell
Beach |
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Recommended Reading
A River went out of
Eden
Chana Cox
The Last of the Mountain
Men
Harold
Peterson
Haven in the
Wilderness
Carol
Furey-Wehan
The River
of No Return
Cort
Conley
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