Salmon

Photos of the major access sites along Highway 95 on the drive from the Lochsa to the Payette drainage.

We floated this section as part of a longer trip from Spring Bar to Heller Bar and did the segment from Island Bar to Hammer Creek over 3 days. This meant camping two nights along Highway 95. Flows were around 3000 cfs and the current appeared to be moving slowly below Lucile but was actually fairly consistent with fewer of the flat pools upstream of drops in the section closer to Riggins. We easily did a 17 mile day with current moving at approximately 1.5 mph and our rafts were able to maintain a pace of approximately 3.5 mph (no significant up canyon wind). We made it to Heller Bar by noon on the third day. We found great beaches for camping on river left but the road was nearly always a presence and traffic continued through the evening. If I were doing this again at low flows I would likely plan for two days from Island Bar to Hammer Creek and just camp one night along the highway.