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Snake River 3 and 4 Day Details

Hell's Canyon family vacationsSnake River whitewater rafting trips in Hells Canyon are first class adventure vacations. In Hells Canyon, the Snake River separates Idaho and Oregon by cutting America's deepest canyon. The staggering 8,000 foot drop from He Devil Mountain to the Snake River creates one of nature's most breathtaking gorges.

3 & 4 Day Expedition : (3 Days/2 Nights or 4 Days/3 Nights, 32 River Miles, Hells Canyon Cr. to Pittsburg Landing)

Click Here if you are taking the 5 or 6 day trip

Headquarters & Pre-Trip Meeting The Frontier Motel, P.O. Box 178, Cambridge, ID. 83610. (208)257-3851 - 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.

Hunter's Inn also offers lodging in Cambridge. Hunter's Inn offers a mix of standard motel rooms and old fashioned hotel rooms, and located 2 blocks from the Frontier Motel. Hunter's Inn, P.O. Box 313, Cambridge, ID 83610. (208)257-3325.

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.

Getting to Cambridge

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 Diamond Express Shuttles to meet you at the Boise Airport and provide van service between Boise and Cambridge, before and after your trip. Diamond Express. 800-250-5815. Check with Diamond Express for exact cost. Their 2007 rate was $150.00 for the van plus $15.00 per person. Yellow Cab also offers service between the Boise Airport and Cambridge. Their flat taxi rate for 2007 was approximately $212.00. You can also arrange for vans that carry up to 7 passengers for the same $212.00 rate. Yellow Cab - 208-345-5555.

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

family raft trips Snake River 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 Pittsburg Landing, and we provide bus transportation back to Cambridge. About 140 road miles. Plan to arrive in Cambridge at about 5:00 to 5:30 p.m.

The drives into and out of Hells Canyon are spectacular.

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 $11.50 for the first day, and $5.00/day for each additional day. Juniors (14-17 years of age) can purchase a junior fishing license for $13.75/teen/season.

You can purchase an Oregon fishing license by calling 503-947-6000 or www.dfw.state.or.us. Cost for 2007 is $12.00/daily, $22.50/2 days, $33.00/3 days, $43.50/4 days and $43.75/7 days.

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.

Spin 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.

Vehicle & Luggage Storage

You can safely store your vehicle and luggage at the Frontier Motel or Hunter's Inn B&B during the 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


GEAR LIST

SNAKE RIVER TESTIMONIALS

SNAKE RIVER MAP


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Hughes River Expeditions, Inc.
P.O. Box 217
Cambridge, ID 83610
(800) 262-1882
(208) 257-3477
Fax: (208) 257-3476
info@hughesriver.com


Hell's Canyon raft trips