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Hughes River Expeditions
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5-6 Day Snake River - Hells Canyon Trip DetailsClick Here if you are taking the 3 or 4 Day Expedition. Snake River rafting vacations are a wonderful family trip. In Hells Canyon, the Snake River creates a classic whitewater rafting vacation. Hells Canyon rapids are exciting roller coasters. Fishing is varied and excellent. We stop to inspect abandoned cabins and American native cultural sites. 5 & 6 Day Expedition : (5 Days/4 Nights or 6 Days/5 Nights, 79 River Miles, Hells Canyon Cr. to Heller Bar) Headquarters & Pre-Trip Meeting The Frontier Motel, P.O. Box 178, Cambridge, ID. 83610. (208) 257-3851 or www.frontiermotel.net. Meet at the Frontier about 8:00 p.m. the evening before the trip. During the meeting, we will discuss the trip, check out trip gear, and handle any last minute details. Another lodging option in Cambridge is Cambridge House B&B, P. O. Box 83, Cambridge, ID 83610. 208-257-3555. cambridgebb@ctcweb.net www.thecambridgehouse.net Super B&B. We recommend that you make reservations at the Frontier Motel or Hunter's Inn at the same time you reserve spaces on your river trip.
If you are driving, you can reach Cambridge, Idaho by taking Highway 95. Cambridge is 100 miles north and west of Boise, via Interstate 84 and Highway 95. If you will not be driving your own car, you have three transportation options: Option I: Arrive in Boise and rent a car at the Boise Airport. (Avis, Hertz, National, Budget, etc.) Option II: Arrange for Boise City Taxi, Scott McCurdy (208)377-3333/cell (208)908-8144 to meet you at the Boise Airport and provide van service between Boise Airport and Cambridge, before and after your trip. 2011 is $260.00 for between Boise and Cambridge for either a 7 or 14 passenger van. If you have a full 14 person van, add $50.00 for a luggage trailer. Option III: Large groups can arrange charter bus transportation between Boise Airport and Cambridge, before and after your trip. Check with Hughes office for cost and details. The Trip Morning the 1st day, we provide bus transportation to put-in at Hells Canyon Creek. The drive is 60 miles on a paved, winding road. We leave Cambridge about 8:00 a.m., and arrive at put-in about 10:00 a.m. The Forest Service provides an orientation on low impact camping and rules of the road. We launch about 11:00 a.m. During early afternoon the last day, take-out is at Heller Bar, WA. We provide bus transportation back to Lewiston, Idaho (34 miles), where we will drop you off at the airport or the Red Lion Hotel, 621 - 21st Street, Lewiston, ID 83501 - 208-799-1000 or 800-232-6730 - www.redlionlewiston.com. Plan to arrive in Lewiston around 3:30 p.m. The drives into and out of Hells Canyon are spectacular. Leaving Lewiston The Lewiston area is serviced by commercial bus and airlines, and has rental car service. Horizon Air (800-547-9308) offers flights from Lewiston to Boise. Check with Horizon Air for timing and frequency of flights. If you need to spend a night in Boise, we recommend the Vista Inn Best Western. 208-336-8100 or 800-727-5006. The Vista Inn provides free limousine service to and from the Boise Airport. Another option is to fly or drive from Lewiston to Spokane, WA. Spokane has a major regional airport. Driving time is approximately 2 hours. Groups can arrange charter vans. Please check with our office for details. Car Shuttle If you elect to drive to Cambridge before the trip, plan to have your car shuttled to Lewiston to meet you at the end of the trip. Contact Frontier Motel (208-257-3851) to arrange your shuttle. Cost is approximately $165/vehicle + gas. Shuttle cost is not included in the trip price. Fishing Fishing for trout, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and white sturgeon is usually good from early summer through fall. Late summer and early fall fishing is often excellent. An Idaho and/or Oregon fishing license is required depending on which shore you fish from. You can fish from the rafts with either an Idaho or Oregon license. You can purchase an Idaho fishing license and tackle in Cambridge before the trip. You can also purchase an Idaho license by contacting the Idaho Fish & Game 800-554-8685, or www.state.ID.US/Fishgame. Cost is $12.75 for the first day, and $6.00/day for each additional day. Juniors (14-17 years of age) can purchase a junior fishing license for $21.75/teen/season.
We provide a few fishing rods, tackle and sturgeon fishing gear for the group. Sturgeon fishing is "catch & release". Serious fishermen should bring their own gear. Snake River raft vacationsSpin Casting is usually the most successful technique. We recommend light weight gear with 6-8 lb. test line. Recommended Lures: Spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tails, Dare Devils); Crank Baits (Killer B's, Rattletrap, Fat Wrap, Crawdad, Perch, etc.); 5" Grub Worms with leadheads (motor oil, pearl, purple, blue, black, etc.) Fly fishing is also available. We recommend 5-6 weight rods, double taper floating lines & sink tip lines. Recommended Flies: Joe's Hopper, Dave's Hopper, Elk Hair Caddis, Wooly Worm, Wooly Bugger, Muddler Minnow, Clouser Minnow, etc. Recommened Bass Poppers: Black/yellow, yellow/red, chartreuse/olive, mouse, etc. Raft Configuration and Group Size Most Snake/Hells Canyon trips number a total of 24 people. (18 guests, 5 crew & 1 camp helper). A typical trip has 1 supply pontoon, 3 oar rafts, 1 paddle raft, and 3 inflatable kayaks (kayaks can be used as solo or tandem boats) -OR- 1 supply pontoon, 2 oar rafts, 2 paddle rafts, and 3 inflatable kayaks. Be sure to let us know the type of craft(s) you prefer. The Forest Service, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, limits our total number of rafts & kayaks per trip to a maximum of 8 craft. Storing and Transporting Luggage That You Do Not Take On the River You can arrange with Hughes and the Frontier Motel to have non-river luggage transported to meet you at the end of your trip. Weather Spring and Fall in Hells Canyon bring warm days, cool nights, and possible thundershowers. Daytime temperatures may range from 55-90 degrees. Summer is very warm. Daytime temperatures may range from 70-105 degrees. Trip Insurance and Responsibility 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 some risk. HUGHES RIVER EXPEDITIONS, Inc. assumes no responsibility whatsoever for your personal safety or for damage or loss of your equipment. Snake River Through Hells Canyon Books and Maps Available through the Hughes Company Store.
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Getting to Cambridge
You can purchase an Oregon fishing license by calling 503-947-6000 or www.dfw.state.or.us. Cost for 2009 non-resident license is $12.00/daily, $22.50/2 days, $33.00/3 days, $43.50/4 days, and $43.75/7 days.© 2012 Hughes River Expeditions |