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6-Day Middle Fork of the Salmon Trip DetailsMiddle Fork Salmon
Click Here if you are taking the 5 Day Expedition. HEADQUARTERS & STARTING POINT: Mountain Village Lodge, Stanley, Idaho. 83278; 1‑800‑843‑5475 or (208) 774‑3661. Meet at the Mountain Village Lodge at about 8:00 p.m. the evening before the trip. At the meeting, we discuss the trip, check out trip gear, arrange vehicle and luggage storage, and handle any last minute details. We recommend making reservations at the Mountain Village Lodge at the same time you reserve spaces on your river trip. Let them know you are traveling with Hughes River Expeditions. TRAVELING TO STANLEY: Stanley, Idaho, can be reached by automobile, daily bus, charter van/bus, and by charter flight. If you are driving, Stanley is located at the junction of Scenic Routes 21 and 75 at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains. 130 miles from Boise on Highway 21. 60 Miles from Ketchum/Sun Valley on Highway 75. If you plan to fly with a commercial airline to Idaho, we recommend that you fly to Boise, Idaho. From Boise, you have the following options: Option 1. Weekly car rentals are available from Boise Airport. (National, Budget, Avis, Hertz, Dollar, etc.) SEE “TRAVEL DETAILS” at the end of this document.
Put‑in for the Middle Fork varies with water, road, and weather conditions. Whenever possible, we put‑in at Boundary Creek. We provide bus transportation from Stanley to the river (43 miles). However, for the safety of the trip, we sometimes put‑in downstream at the Indian Creek Airfield. When we fly with bush pilots to Indian Creek, the $110/person cost of the flight is not included in the trip price. Plan to pay the pilots at the time of the flight (credit card or cash). We line up the flights. Early June dates may require flights due to road closures or high water conditions. Early and mid-August dates often require flights due to low water flows. Late August & September trips are planned to fly in. TAKE‑OUT/END OF TRIP: Early afternoon the last day, we take‑out at Cache Bar on the Main Salmon River, about three miles below the Mouth of the Middle Fork. From take‑out, we provide bus transportation back to Stanley and the Mountain Village Lodge. 190 miles and about 4 ½ hours driving time. Plan to arrive in Stanley about 6:00 p.m. END OF TRIP OPTIONS: Following are options you have at the end of your river trip: 1) Return to Stanley and spend the night at the Mountain Village Lodge. We provide bus transportation back to Stanley. Once in Stanley, use your car, rental car, daily bus, charter van, charter bus, or charter flight to return to Boise or to go to your next destination. 2) Charter a flight from Salmon, Idaho, to Boise, during the afternoon of the last day of your trip. The cost of this flight is approximately $190.00/person. Plan to arrive in Boise at about 5:30 to 6:00 pm. We provide transportation from the Cache Bar take‑out to the Salmon Airport. Mike Dorris, Sawtooth Flying Service, 800-798-6105 or (cell) 208-630-3646. 3) If you wish to drive north into Montana or travel east to the National Parks, you may find it convenient to have your car shuttled to Salmon, Idaho. This service is provided by River Shuttles ‑ 800-831-8942 OR 208‑756-4188 - www.RiverShuttles.com. You can line up this service ahead of time, or when you are in Stanley just before your trip. SEE “TRAVEL DETAILS” at the end of this document. RESERVATIONS FOR CHARTER FLIGHTS: If it is necessary to fly to put‑in the first day of the trip, we make the arrangements with Sawtooth Flying Service, Inc... However, you need to make your own charter flight arrangements in and out of Stanley or Salmon before and after your trip. FISHING: The Middle Fork is a “blue ribbon” Westslope Cutthroat Trout fishery. Fishing is normally good from early July on. Fishing is often best in late summer (late August and September). Regulations are 'catch and release'. Only artificial flies and lures with single barbless hooks are allowed. No bait fishing is allowed. We flatten the barbs with pliers on conventional hooks to conform to the rules. Recommended fly patterns include: Bucktailed‑Caddis, Adams, Renegade, Irresistible, Humpy, Goofus, Sofa Pillow, Royal Wolff, Stimulator, Hopper, etc. in medium sizes (#12, #16, ...) You can purchase an Idaho fishing license and tackle from McCoy’s Tackle Shop in Stanley. 208-774-3377. Jane McCoy runs a superb fishing shop. You can call her to chat about fishing. You can also purchase an Idaho fishing license directly from Idaho Fish & Game Dept. [ 800-554-8685 VEHICLE & LUGGAGE STORAGE: You can store your vehicle & luggage at the Mountain Village Lodge. You can also arrange to have luggage transported to meet you in Salmon after the trip if you will fly from Salmon to Boise. WEATHER: The Middle Fork begins at 5700 feet elevation, and we can experience frost our 1st night on the river. Typically, days are hot and nights are cool. Study our Gear List carefully, and call the office with questions. Weather in the Central Idaho Mountains is very unpredictable, and you need to be well-prepared.
We encourage the purchase of Trip Cancellation, Accident, and Baggage Insurance Policies. These policies cover cancellation, personal property, and personal injury. Many insurance companies offer such policies. HUGHES RIVER EXPEDITIONS, Inc. spares nothing to assure that all trips we outfit are the safest and best outfitted expeditions available. Our safety record is excellent. However, river running is not without some risk, and you as a potential river runner must be willing to assume this risk. HUGHES RIVER EXPEDITIONS, Inc. assumes no responsibility whatsoever for your personal safety or for damage or loss of your equipment. RECREATION and USE FEES: The Salmon-Challis National Forest requires that we collect an ‘Extra Use Fee authorized under the Recreation Fee Project.’ The charge is $4.00/person/day. It cannot be a part of our trip cost and will show as a separate line item on your invoice. The money collected as a result of this fee will go to maintaining the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. HUGHES RIVER EXPEDITIONS also pays 3% Outfitter Franchise Use Fee on all gross receipts collected on the Middle Fork. The 3% Outfitter Fee is “included” in our trip price. The Recreation Fee Project is in addition to these other fees. MIDDLE FORK BOOKS and MAPS: Available through the Hughes Company Store. Middle Fork & the Sheepeater War. Carrey & Conley TRAVEL DETAILS - BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR TRIP: Let us know if we can help in any manner. If you are flying commercially, fly into and out of Boise Airport before and after your trip. #1. Drive Your Own Car. Stanley is located at the junction of Scenic Routes 21 and 75 at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains. 130 miles from Boise on Highway 21. 60 miles from Ketchum/Sun Valley on Highway 75. #2. Rental Car. Weekly car rentals are available at Boise Airport. (National, Budget, Avis, Hertz, Dollar, etc.) There are no drop off opportunities in Stanley during your trip. #3. Daily Bus or Charter Bus. You can arrange the following transportation packages. (i) Caldwell Bus Company. 800-727-9925. Mike Stephenson. (a) Daily, Caldwell Bus Company provides a bus between Stanley and Boise. A bus leaves Boise to Stanley each afternoon, and a bus leaves Stanley back to Boise each morning. Cost is $80/person for each leg of the trip (about $160/person round trip). Departure times will be available this winter. Great value for individuals or couples. Check with Hughes office for details. Boise-Stanley and Stanley-Boise service is by RESERVATION ONLY. Reservations must be made with Caldwell Bus 48 hours in advance. CB will depart the Boise Air Terminal at 4:00 p.m with an arrival in Stanley at about 7:00 pm. CB will depart Stanley (Mountain Village Lodge) at 7:00 am with an arrival at Boise Air Terminal at about 10:00 a.m. We can vary pickup times or locations depending on what types of reservations we have for a particular day. Call Caldwell Transportation Company: 800-727-9925. (b) Charter School Bus (air conditioned, modern bus). $439 each way. $878 round trip. Roomy bus can comfortably accommodate an entire 23 guest river party along with all gear. Very economical for a large group. (ii) Boise City Taxi. (Vans) 208-908-8144, and 208-377-3333. Scott McCurdy. 7 and 14 passenger vans @$300 one way, $600 round trip. Plus $50 each way if requires luggage trailer. Standby fee $40/hour with 30 minute grace period at airport. #4. Sawtooth Flying Service. (cell) 208-630-3646, 800-798-6105. Mike Dorris. Great views over central Idaho backcountry. Boise to Stanley @$140/person. Per seat prices must be booked at least one week in advance. Check with Sawtooth Flying Service, Inc. for details. We recommend booking your flights well ahead of your river trip dates. Rates subject to change. #5. River Shuttles. If you need to have your car shuttled to Salmon, Idaho, at the end of the trip, contact: River Shuttles ‑ 800-831-8942 OR 208‑756-4188 - www.RiverShuttles.com. You can line up this service ahead of time, or when you are in Stanley just before your trip. 2009 cost was $95 and a full tank of gas at the time of the shuttle. GRATUITIES: Gratuities are shared among the crew, and typical tips are 5% to15% of trip fare.
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PUT‑IN/BEGINNING THE TRIP:
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