Snake

We picked up a cancellation permit for a quick three-day mid-week trip with just the boys and I. We came in late on Monday evening and Scotty's Outdoor Supply allowed us to park our van for the evening. It's the last stop for gas, ice, invasive species stickers and basic supplies. It's also where you make final arrangements and leave a key for the shuttle. We got up Tuesday monring and after settling up shuttle payment we drove the approximately half hour down to the put-in.

We got to the put-in below the dam around 9am, took our time rigging and were off by noon. We were on the water until about 4pm or so that included a break for lunch. We scouted Wild Sheep running the left line and Granite running the right to center line with no issues. Flow was about 10,000 cfs when we launched rising to 14,000 cfs by the time we got to camp. We found camp at Bernard Creek where we had a small patch of sand down on the beach that served as a camp. The flow continued to rise to about 16,000 through dinner before stabilizing.

When we got up on day two the water was down to about 8500 cfs and our raft was high and dry. We had it lightly loaded so it was no problem carrying it down to the shoreline. We were on the water by 10am. We were soon at Waterspout and did a quick scout at 8500 cfs from river left. The line entering center and then cutting hard right across the side curler to avoid the whole at the bottom worked fine. We continued down to Pine Bar for lunch and also made a stop at Kirkwood Ranch. We found camp by 4pm at Russell Bar which had a very rocky shoreline. The flow continued to rise throughout the day eventually peaking at 19,000 cfs by the time we were settled in at camp.

We once again awoke to a raft that was high and dry with morning flow at 8600 cfs. We were on the water from about 9:00 to 10:30, with the flow remaining lower, before reaching our take-out at Pittsburg Landing. We were the only group taking out on a Thursday morning although we encountered a couple of jet boats launching. We were all packed and on our way by about noon.

Our trip flows ranged from 12,000-20,000 cfs.  We scouted Wild Sheep, Granite and Waterspout. We launched around 2pm and got to Wild Sheep as waters were rising. Good fun there. But remember to bring Technu for all the poison ivy.

We got to Granite late in the afternoon and the rapid was juicing close to 20,000 cfs due to the dam release. Some flip potential at that level. The next morning we ran Granite in the 14,000-15,000 cfs range and it was a ton of fun.

Waterspout was also a blast.  Everything else was straight forward read and run; Rush creek has potential for a rowdy swim if you are not careful.

Jet boats are a huge impact, be prepared. Many do not abide by the river ettiquete, praise those who do.

Early October trip with staff and friends of Idaho Rivers United and American Whitewater. We spent 3 day and two nights on the river on a trip from Hells Canyon Dam down to Pittsburg Landing.

Granite rapid on the snake river hells canyon stretch. Water was low, waves were still big!

Brian did this tailstand on purpose.

Copyright Randy Clark.
Copyright Randy Clark.

Randy says: 'The smooth green water behind the boat is the top of the 'Green Room.' It is literally a room-sized hole with green walls. Few boats get through the Green Room without flipping and most boaters avoid it.'

Sheep Creek is a tiny tributary that flows into the Snake. Boaters can carry up and run parts of the creek down to the Snake River.