Every year in January - a group of us try to get permits on different rivers through an established 'lottery system". We pick a couple rivers, and a bunch of us try to draw. Submissions are due Jan 31, and the draw happens by Feb 15. We've had pretty good luck over the past few years. Three years ago I drew on the Main Salmon river in Idaho. Last summer the Lovejoys drew a permit on the Rogue, and this year in 2025, the starlings drew a permit on the Snake in Hells Canyon! Unfortunately this year we would be without Hunter due to his new job and little vacation time but he will be back with us in future trips I am sure. In his place Abbie's friend Addy came with us.
If you are wondering where Hells Canyon is - see this map. It forms part of the border between Oregon and Idaho. It is a dam controlled river that is known for big water. The rapids are different - technical yes but because of big waves, lateral waves vs a tricky low water move. (we saw one flip while on this trip on a set of rapids we were scouting just before we went through).
Our trip plan:
Our Put-in date was Monday June 30, so we decided to drive over on June 29th and camp at a camp group upriver about 10 miles above the dam. (you cannot camp at the put-in which is right at the base of the dam). We booked sites at Hells Canyon Park Campgroup. It was perfect! If you book - book the temp camp sites up on the grass. (there are about 8 sites)
We would raft the approx. 30 mile stretch from Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing. We would take it slow and do the trip over 5 days with a layover day (which are always great fun). Pullout would be July 4th for the long drive back home. (hoping to catch some fireworks along the way in different towns!)
Day 1 - Bend Oregon to Hells Canyon Park (Drive)
Long drive but relatively uneventful. We met up in Prineville to convoy. We stopped for lunch in Baker city. Weather was HOT. Mid 90s after 6pm guess that’s why it’s called Hells Canyon. Refreshing swim in the water and fajitas for dinner. Temps ended up being in the high 90s and over 100 a couple days until the last day.
Abbie with the big cliff jump!
Night 1 dinner by Chris! Kevin prepped a special desert from ‘fruit off the land’.
Day 3 - July 1 - Battle Creek to Saddle Creek (6 miles)
River day 2 - our night to cook for the group. We did teriyaki bowls.
Day 4 - July 2 - Layover at Saddle Creek
Fun layover day with swimming, hiking and group photos overlooking the river. Notice the ‘group charcuterie board’ we did at lunch.
Day 5 - July 3 - Saddle Creek to Dry Gulch (9 miles)
Day 6 - July 4 - Dry Gulch to Pittsburg Landing / Pullout (10 miles) + drive home
Hard rowing 10 miles through cold temps and pouring rain the the pullout. After all the heat from the trip today was a real change for us
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What else would I like to try for?
I think we have the skills now to handle the Middle fork of the Salmon. Very hard to get a permit but the Selway would be amazing. Both of these rivers are in Idaho. This one might be more a guys trip but Mark has been pushing to packraft the Escalante in Utah as well.
The plan was a family reunion of sorts with Kelly’s family. Unfortunately Pat and Sue couldn’t make it due to illness but we still had an amazing time.
We were staying at a great place just out the east side of the park called Zion Mountain Ranch. It was a great place to stay, eat and hang out.
Hiking the Narrows
Exploring around the Park
Canyoneering
Bison Ride and a trip to a lake in the high country to get out of the heat.
Stopping by the university of Utah to see Kelly s sorority house and eat lunch at a popular pizza parlor on campus.
Noah’s big class project for his maker space class was a set of skis. He designed and built all parts along with his custom graphics.
What a way to end the season and an era! What was even sweeter was that Lulu, Auntie Erin and Charlotte got to come.
Abbie’s team wrapped up their final competitive cheer competition in Las Vegas with two first-place wins: one in their level division and another as the top team across all divisions at their level! 🥇🏆 They brought home medals, jackets, and championship rings. Such a proud moment.
This was Abbie’s last season of competitive All-Star cheer, and she’s decided to focus on high school cheer next year. We’re so proud of her dedication, her team spirit, and all the memories made along the way. What a finish!
Abbie got to model cheer uniforms this weekend at a cheerleading coach convention. Coaches from all over came to see different styles in action. Abbie was one of the girls who showcased the different options. It was such a cool experience and the coaches got to pick their favorite vendor for the upcoming season.
After a couple of years of working hard in our neighborhood, caring for horses and doing barn work Abbie just started her first job at Coffee Republic. She’s learning how to make coffee and prepare food. She is loving every minute of it we are so proud of her work ethic and excited to see her thrive in this next chapter.
Noah’s boys/girls team finished 2nd overall
out of 42 teams this past weekend. He took
2nd place in the 800, and his relay team
came in 1st. It was a blast watching the Wolf
Pack race! A few more from the previous
weekend at Oregon Relays at Hayward field.
We just returned from a couple of Abbie’s cheer competitions. One was in Portland,Tacoma and lastly in Lake Tahoe. A special bonus was getting to spend time with Papa, LuLu, cousin Olivia and their friends, Barry and Louise in Tahoe. It has been a fast and furious few weeks but it has been wonderful, and the girls did an amazing job!
We kicked off the week before spring break by
touring colleges with Noah. We visited Boise
State, the University of Idaho, and Washington
State, and wrapped up with Noah joining a
friend to check out Kelly’s alma mater,
the University of Utah.
