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.