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#1
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Middle Fork of the Salmon River
I just completed a trip I've been planning all year - a seven day open canoe
low water descent of the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Pics, a bit of writing, and a fairly decent web presentation: http://home.comcast.net/~dltooley/ -D.L. |
#2
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Middle Fork of the Salmon River
Bravo! It looks like it was a great adventure.
Just curious, did you see many others on the river? Was there still enough water for medium-sized rafts (With low water experience)? I assume so since the Forest Service had a raft out there. We have been trying to bag a MF permit for years without any luck. Perhaps we should try for later in the year. Randy |
#3
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Middle Fork of the Salmon River
In rec.boats.paddle.whitewater Mr. Tea wrote:
I just completed a trip I've been planning all year - a seven day open canoe low water descent of the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Pics, a bit of writing, and a fairly decent web presentation: http://home.comcast.net/~dltooley/ Nice rainbow pictures! So you portaged The Chutes and Tappen Falls, but ran everything else? And it seems like you did this during permit season at 1.7 = 1.6 feet. I believe this river is open-permit (no lottery) after September 15th. Did you have to roll after running the big hole at Rubber, or any of the other major rapids in Impassible Canyon? |
#4
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Middle Fork of the Salmon River
On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 02:41:47 GMT, "Mr. Tea"
wrote: I just completed a trip I've been planning all year - a seven day open canoe low water descent of the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Pics, a bit of writing, and a fairly decent web presentation: http://home.comcast.net/~dltooley/ Hi D.L. Nice site I enjoyed reading about your trip Thank you John O'Connell Wood burning camp stoves Web page www.occuk.co.uk/outdoor t |
#5
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Middle Fork of the Salmon River
"Randy Hodges" wrote in message Just curious, did you see many others on the river? The river is quieter during late summer. I was passed by the only other private party I saw on the second day, though I again passed them, as well as 3 commercial trips. I did see someone every day. Was there still enough water for medium-sized rafts (With low water experience)? I assume so since the Forest Service had a raft out there. The Forest Service rafts were Maravias - probably the best for abrasion resistance. Commercial trips sometimes float the upper river empty and pick up supplies and customers at Indian Creek - and a private party could do the same. Costs are not prohibitive. Packing light - backpack style - is worth considering. You will hit rocks. The USFS and the Commercial guides ran everything blind, but scouting is worth it for a first timer to reduce the number of surprise pour overs. At 1.7-1.8 the upper river was boney, but I never had to get out of my boat to drag it across a gravel bar. There were only a couple of sections on the lower river that were similiar - the vast majority of it was great. We have been trying to bag a MF permit for years without any luck. Perhaps we should try for later in the year. Odds are 30:1 during the peak period. The lottery period ends after Labor Day and in a good water year that is an option. I suspect that your likelihood of getting a cancellation goes up considerably in the late season too. -Doug |
#6
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Middle Fork of the Salmon River
"Bill Tuthill" wrote in message
... So you portaged The Chutes and Tappen Falls, but ran everything else? And it seems like you did this during permit season at 1.7 = 1.6 feet. I believe this river is open-permit (no lottery) after September 15th. Yes. I believe the permits go to first come first serve after Labor Day. In some years fall trips are possible, in some years not. Snow would probably be possible in September, but over Labor Day this year temps were in the upper 80's. Did you have to roll after running the big hole at Rubber, or any of the other major rapids in Impassible Canyon? I swamped several times in the Impassable Canyon, including at Rubber. I did get through both Redsides and Weber dry. Weber has a river wide ledge at the top, but there is a bit of a sneak on the far left which lines you up nicely for the remainder of the rapid. Devil's Tooth might well have been the hardest rapid at this level. There is a lot of maneuvering required on this river at this level. By the time you get to the Impassable Canyon you are well warmed up for it. The big risk is swamping an open canoe in the upper section of a rapid and losing your ability to maneuver. That could easily result in a broach or a swim. Of course if you are not comfortable moving a canoe around a lot you could broach anywhere. -Doug |
#7
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Middle Fork of the Salmon River
In rec.boats.paddle.whitewater Mr. Tea wrote:
Devil's Tooth might well have been the hardest rapid at this level. I agree, and this is also the case at around 3' (gage at MF Lodge), but this is not what the guidebooks say. At 3' it was surprising how easy Sulphur Slide became -- I didn't even recognize it as Sulphur until I was at the bottom. Powerhouse also seemed easier at 3', which was surprising, because it has big hydraulics. The lowest I've done it from the top was 1.9'; you had somewhat less. I remember several unnamed passages (gravel/boulder bars) where my raft got stuck, but perhaps I just took the wrong route. Commercial guides are expected to take rafts, and maybe even sweep boats, from the top (fortunately without passengers) down to 1.7' or lower. The upper river is so enjoyable that I believe people are missing out if they start at Indian Creek. |
#8
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Middle Fork of the Salmon River
Mr. Tea wrote:
I just completed a trip I've been planning all year - a seven day open canoe low water descent of the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Pics, a bit of writing, and a fairly decent web presentation: http://home.comcast.net/~dltooley/ -D.L. Nice web site and photos. Thanks |
#9
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Middle Fork of the Salmon River
great trip report and pic. not to rain on you, but this float has
been done solo by canoist many times |
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