Hughes River Expeditions

Our River Menu

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Our river meals are delicious, surprising, and great fun for guests and the guides who prepare them. The keys are “fresh, top quality food prepared carefully” by guides who love to cook and “show off” off in our river kitchen. Hughes rafts carry huge ice chests that hold fresh meats and fish, fresh fruits & vegetables, dairy products, and other goodies for the entire trip. Each evening, we have a stack of Dutch ovens filled with the main course, side dishes, hot breads, desserts,  there’s always “plenty” on a Hughes trip.

Dine in comfort with camp chairs, dining tables complete with table cloths, real plates and silverware. Best of all, the Hughes Crew does the set-up, cooking, serving, and clean up – all with a smile. Cooking great meals on the river is great fun.

Hughes provides a complimentary beverage supply of beer, soda, fruit drinks and wine. Generous, but not intended to cover all trip beverages. And the other good news is that we have ample room for you to bring your favorites. Large ice chests keep the drinks chilled. Cocktail ice is available each evening.

We know you don’t come on a river trip just for the food. However, we take pride in fabulous meals. Hughes River meals are not just food, they are GREAT FOOD! Here’s an outline of what you can expect on a six day trip.

Breakfast

Breakfasts always include coffee, hot chocolate, tea, fruit juice, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, half & half. Beverages, fruit, cereal at 7:00 am, and breakfast at 8:00 am.

  • French Toast and thick cut Idaho Bacon (vanilla yogurt, boysenberry and maple syrups)
  • Huevos Rancheros Breakfast burritos (scrambled eggs, corn and flour tortillas, chorizo, country sausage, fresh veggies, cheese, sour cream, salsa, black beans, refried beans …)
  • Yeast & Blueberry pancakes, fat links, eggs to order (vanilla yogurt, boysenberry and maple syrups)
  • Breaded and fried catfish fillets, Dutch oven cinnamon rolls, hash browns, eggs to order.
  • Lochs & Bagels, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola.

Lunch

Lunches include a fresh salad, cookies, candy, fruit, nuts, veggies, cheeses, and a variety of condiments.

  • Deli sandwich bar, homemade pasta salad, homemade cookies.
  • Caesar salad, wraps, sides of salmon and bacon. Cold cuts and cheeses.
  • Chicken, Bacon & Ranch salad wraps.
  • Deli sandwich bar, chips & cookies.
  • Taco Salad, cold cuts and a variety of cheese.
  • Locally catered lunch-every river varies.

Hors d’oeuvres

Each night is different. Plan on steamed artichokes with lemon and butter dip, an assortment of crackers & cheese, bruschetta, clam dip, guacamole always fresh and good.

River bruschetta

Dinner

Dinners are highlights of each river day. Hughes provides six bottles of wine per evening.

1st Night

  • Grilled wild sockeye salmon fillets
  • Scratch Dutch oven cornbread
  • Pasta
  • Wilted Spinach salad w/ warm dressing – with sides of bacon and boiled eggs
  • Dutch oven brownies with whipped cream

2nd Night

  • 40 Mile Stew (Dutch oven delight, with lots of river history to enjoy) “Unique Specialty of the House”. Many guests say it’s their favorite, and ask for the recipe and a store to buy a Dutch oven.
  • Scratch Dutch oven buttermilk biscuits
  • Fresh corn on the cob
  • Deluxe cole slaw (cabbage, apples, oranges, raisins, walnuts on the side)
  • Dutch oven fruit cobbler
The famous HRE Game Hens, Wild Rice, & Veggies dish

3rd Night

  • Marinated grilled thick cut pork chops
  • Apple Sauce
  • Scratch Dutch oven beer bread
  • Stir fried veggies
  • White Rice
  • Dutch oven carrot cake – double layer with creamy icing

4th Night

  • Dutch oven Rock Cornish game hens with wild rice and veggies – spectacular Dutch oven meal. A Hughes specialty.
  • Scratch Dutch oven buttermilk biscuits
  • Deluxe green salad
  • Dutch oven fruit cobbler

5th Night

  • Grilled rib eye steaks & shrimp
  • Garlic bread
  • Dutch oven Sheepeater Potatoes (Idaho potatoes, onions, peppers, cheese, sour cream and cream of mushroom soup). Classic Idaho river dish.
  • Caesar salad
  • Dutch oven chocolate cake – double layer with raspberry jam between the layers and thick creamy chocolate icing
Pork chops on the grill

Guest Experiences

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  • C & J Nichols, Manhattan Beach, CA (2005)

    The boys worked so very hard to make our river experience a truly memorable one!!…I didn’t feel we were able to give them a proper good-bye! This being my only regret of a near-perfect trip; you have a great group working for you and we can’t wait to join you again soon.

  • R. Quinly (2019)

    Our guides were all exceptional!  …treated Tom and me like family members.  They celebrated Tom’s birthday with pancakes in the morning and a Dutch oven cake with candles for dessert that evening.  Thank you for an amazing family vacation.

  • Moodey, Anaheim, CA (2021)

    Thank you for making our Salmon River trip so memorable.  Your company is the best there is.

  • Holgate, Boise, ID (2021)

    Thank you for the incredible experience you provided Stoltz on the river.  We were impressed with your impeccable service, capable (and FUN) guides, beautiful meals, and spectacular camps.  We are still reminiscing…..  Stoltz is forever grateful for the amazing trip and hope to do more with Hughes in the coming years!!

  • C. & R. Gore, Wilsonville, OR (2021)

    Thank both you and your crew for the Great Trip we just experienced on the Middle Fork.

  • Johnson, Pacific Palisades, CA (2021)

    Hi all!  The trip was great!  Thank you!

  • M. Penton, Leviadia, CA (2021)

    Up in the air with an incredible view,
    Then down to the river for an adventure that’s new…
    Proud evergreens, polished stones, bald eagle sightings;
    Emerald moving water with rapids so exciting!
    ……..
    We’re so happy to be part of this adventure!  It’s true
    that it’s because of the work of the great guides and you!

  • Gannett, Salt Lake City, UT (2021)

    Once again had a great trip….  Be safe and we’ll schedule another trip soon.

  • DeZarn, Eugene, OR (2021)

    What a fantastic trip!  Hughes river guides killed it for us all!  Thanks for a ton of fun!

  • Kaelson, Dallas, TX (2021)

    Thanks for an incredible trip your staff was amazing.

*We are happy to accommodate meal requests for certain diets, allergies,and or sensitivities. Call our office for more details.

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We’re here to answer any and all of your questions!

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