THE SALMON River of Idaho is legendary, primitive, awesome. And, as a result of heroics in Congress, protected. The Middle Fork of the Salmon rips through 105 miles of the most inaccessible, primitive country in the world. It is wild, untamed, rugged, and still restively untouched. There are no roads to the Indian sites, remnant of the mountain tribe, Tukudeka, the Sheepeaters. They resided in the mountains, horseless, content to roam and hunt in the old ways. There are few trails to the old mines, homesteads, and hot springs. The ideal access, the only route in some cases, to the canyons and gorges of the Middle Fork is on the river itself.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN River Tours takes people on this river each summer and in doing so offers an experience, a vacation unequaled. We tour in oar-powered rafts designed for safety and superb handling. If you're contemplating floating the Middle Fork there are several things to consider in selecting a tour.
Rocky Mountain River Tours is profoundly aware of the potential for a dynamic personal experience in white water tours of the Salmon. We are committed to assuring participants the best chance of experiencing the finest trip possible.
Our guides are licensed professionals with many years of rafting experience. Rocky Mountain River Tours itself is a bonded, licensed outfitter and guide. It is our policy to carry only four passengers per raft to assure maximum comfort and visibility. We also provide your party with the option of crewing a paddle boat down the Middle Fork or paddling your own inflatable kayak.
We are a conservation-oriented organization. We have made an effort to understand the area around the Middle Fork of the Salmon historically, environmentally, and biologically.
And finally, as an added consideration, we offer the finest Dutch oven cuisine imaginable to assure a perfect experience in every aspect.
BESIDES THE exuberant experience of floating white water, there's a certain plus in the Middle Fork itself. It's partly due to the primitive nature of the environment, the purity of a wild river. It is also due to the phenomenal historical legacy of the area. The remains of mining successes and failures. The tattered, remote homesteads. The lonely grave markers. The carved tree. The bridge that collapsed. The Indian cave with beautiful pictographs. So many remnants of a past where people in one way or another tried to match, to temper an area too rugged to succumb. You travel by raft because the immense natural obstructions in this primitive area repel conquering even today. Rugged clear water canyons, gorges, unspoiled wildlife habitat. The Middle Fork of the Salmon is simply nature's work in the original.
OF COURSE, a part of the Rocky Mountain River Tour experience is wrapped in the simplicity of an outdoor adventure. In an area where it is easy to feel a rapport with nature, there is an abundance of nature to behold.
The tour is designed to allow you time for your own personal outdoor experience. Hiking, fishing, bird-watching, and swimming. (A non-resident, 7-day fishing permit is available at most Idaho sporting good stores if fishing is an interest.) During the time off the river you are likely to discover a diversity of wildlife including protected, endangered species. Birds of prey, deer, elk, mountain sheep, goats, occasional mountain cat species or even an otter family.
Many birds indigenous to the Rocky Mountain region may be seen. Although the chinook salmon has been nearly eliminated by man's intervention along its migratory waters, native cutthroat and rainbow trout still thrive in the Middle Fork.
WHITE sand beach, hot springs, tall conifers, clear water and a blue sky are usually good reasons to make camp early on the Middle Fork. You'll have time to relax. We make all camp and food preparations.
During this time in camp, Rocky Mountain River Tours takes a special approach to food preparation. We believe exceptional food belongs in this exceptional environment. Thus, Dutch oven cuisine has become a specialty on our tours. In fact, we've perfected Dutch oven cooking in an attempt to make a myth of the idea that camp food must be basic, just palatable.
We serve dishes like Lemon/Broccoli Risotto with grilled Catfish and Dilly Casserole Bread; Thai Shrimp and Caribbean beans with Papaya salsa; sweet potato pancakes; artichoke fritatta w/sundried tomatoes; sticky buns and fresh Idaho products like coffee, pasta, bread and produce. We've found that the versatility of the Dutch oven is unlimited, and with that in mind, we prepare healthy, delectable camp cuisine.
1995 LAUNCH DATES AND RATES
MIDDLE FORK OF THE SALMON
Starting point: Stanley, Idaho. We provide round-trip transportation from Mountain Village Lodge, Stanley, Idaho, to the put-in point at Boundary Creek and from the take-out point at Cache Bar on the Main Salmon River. Certain water conditions may necessitate starting the trip from Indian Creek airstrip on the Middle Fork. The cost of the charter (approximately $40), is not included in the rate below.
6-Day June 13, 22
August 2, 10, 18
$1,295/person
Peak Season: July 1, 9, 17, 25
$1,425/person
5-Day August 26
September 3
$1,020/person
4-Day May 13, 20, 26, June 4
(High Water)
$825/person
DISCOUNTS:
5% - Groups of 10 or more
10% - Kids age 15 and under
No discounts apply on July trips.
Add 5% Idaho Sales tax
Add 3% Forest Service user fee.
RESERVATION POLICY.- $400 per person will reserve one position. Balance of the fee must be paid 60 days prior to the trip date. All fees are nonrefundable; if you must cancel, the trip fee can be applied to another date in the same year based on available space. Alternate guests are welcome. Cancellation insurance is available.
DAVE AND Sheila Mills share an uncommon enthusiasm for their professions. Offering people a vacation chance of a lifetime is what they enjoy most.
Dave Mills, a native Idahoan, has been white water rafting for 25 years. Sheila Mills is a native of Montana. Her specialty is providing tour participants with extraordinary Dutch oven cuisine. Her latest book, Rocky Mountain Kettle Cuisine II, is a collection of excellent Dutch oven recipes. Their furry companions are Blossom and Scooter, the Airedales.
Sheila and Dave Mills established their business in 1978 and can be counted on to share the finest experience this unsurpassed area has to offer.
