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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
5 DAYS
COMFORT
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • Private flight to Oregon with spectacular views of Hells Canyon below 
  • Biggest rapids: Wild Sheep and Granite 
  • Hike up Granite Creek for our first viewing of Native American pictographs 
  • Go fishing for Idaho trout 
  • Visit Kirkwood Historic Ranch and Museum
  • Tour Pittsburg Landing for a fascinating look at the life of the early Native Americans 
  • Spot resident wildlife including bear, deer, elk, mountain goats and bighorn sheep 
  • Hike to Suicide Point, Temperance Creek, Deep Creek and Salt Creek 
  • Float past the Imnaha, Salmon and Grande Ronde rivers to our take-out at Heller Bar.
ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP
Primary: Rafting
Other: Hiking, Canyoning, nature, Camping
$1203USD
Prices vary by date. Make sure to pick your departure date.
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ONGOING PROMOTIONS
"Get 5% off when you book with AdventureLink before May 31st, 2012!"
SAVE 5%
Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
Promotion lasts :
From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
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Hells Canyon Rafting on the Snake River (3 or 5 Days Trip)

On O.A.R.S. Hells Canyon Rafting trip, youll raft through the deepest gorge in North America, and experience exuberant Spring whitewater and great hiking and fishing in this scenic canyon.
Nothing compares to rafting Hells Canyon in Idaho, home of the mighty Snake River and the deepest gorge in North America. Marking the border between Idaho and Oregon, Idaho's Hells Canyon plunges to depths of nearly 8,000 feet between the Seven Devils range to the east and Oregon’s rim country to the west. Through this tremendous gorge, the Snake River's warm, clear waters yield some of the best big waves and whitewater rapids in the U.S. Northwest. In calmer sections, the Snake River serves up great Idaho fishing opportunities. Hells Canyon’s watery bliss is matched by its stunning rockscapes and the intriguing remnants of past inhabitants, creating a rich river adventure that’s hard to beat. Warm weather, warm water and fun rapids make this a great trip for kids, parents and grandparents of nearly any age. 

Hells Canyon, home of the mighty Snake River, is the deepest gorge in North America. Marking the border between Idaho, and Oregon, Hells Canyon plunges to depths of nearly 8,000 feet between the Seven Devils range to the east and Oregon’s rim country to the west. Through this tremendous gorge, the warm, clear waters of the Snake River thunder through some of the most exciting, big-wave rapids in the Northwest; in calmer sections, the Snake serves up great fishing opportunities. Hells Canyon’s watery bliss is matched by its stunning rocks capes and the intriguing remnants of past inhabitants, both indigenous and transplanted, creating a rich river adventure that’s hard to beat. 

Boat Selection
Because of the river’s volume, we can bring the full gamut of O.A.R.S.’ river vessels on the Hells Canyon Snake River and you may experience them all! Riding in an oar boat one day and a whitewater dory the next, then challenging the whitewater hands on in a paddle raft or inflatable kayak ensures a diverse and exciting river adventure for each member of your party. 

Specialty Trips
Benefit: O.A.R.S. strives to positively impact all of the communities in which we operate. Through a strong history of social and environmental responsibility, O.A.R.S. works with local and national conservation groups and community organizations to help make the joys of the wilderness accessible to everyone, while fostering deeper appreciation and preservation of indigenous cultures and natural ecosystems. Each year, O.A.R.S. donates a portion of the proceeds (ranging from 20% to 100%) from several departures to help fund conservation efforts and local educational programming. 

Wine on the River: 
Our wine trips offer an elegant alternative to our regular departures, and combine mouth-watering menus and award-winning wines with the appeal of the wilds. After each day of vigorous river rafting, enjoy gourmet meals and premium wines introduced by regional experts. The wines are carefully chosen to complement the bill of fare each night and each winery brings its own personality to the river, where the tastings can turn into blending seminars or heated discussions of Old World versus New World wine making. Rest assured that whatever direction we take, these trips inevitably result in an outrageously good time.

5-Day Wine Trip: 
September 14 Combine river running with gourmet meals and premium wines presented by some of the West's finest vintners. 

3 & 5 Day Value Season: 
May 25; June 2, 10 (Hells Canyon Preservation Council Benefit Trip), 18; August 29; September 6, 14 (Wine Trip) 

3 & 5 Day Peak Season: 
June 26 (Family Trip); July 4, 12, 20, 28; August 5, 13, 21 (Family Trip) 

Minimum Age: 7 Yrs (12 during high water)
Day 1: Hells Canyon Dam
  • We’ll meet early at the Red Lion Hotel for our departure from Lewiston at 7:30 AM on a charter flight to Halfway, Oregon. An appropriate introduction to our journey ahead, this flight offers a spectacular bird’seye view of our pathway through Hells Canyon, and is often considered a favorite highlight of the trip. From the landing strip, we’ll shuttle to our put-in point just below Hells Canyon Dam where our colorful boats and your O.A.R.S. crew await. After an informative safety talk and some brief paddle raft/inflatable kayak instruction, we’re off on our river adventure! 
  • Our first day generally sets the pace for our river trip. Typically, we spend a few hours on the water in the morning, sometimes stopping for a short hike, a swim, or a visit to Nez Perce pictographs or another historical site. Come lunchtime, we pull over and enjoy a delicious picnic on the shores of the river. After feasting and relaxing (or perhaps swimming, a game of Frisbee, or a nature walk), we get back in our boats for more exciting whitewater. Be sure to try your hand at the paddleboat and inflatable kayak! Mid to late-afternoon, we stop and make camp; you grab your bags and set up your tent while we take care of the kitchen and “living room”—camp chairs and the site for tonight’s campfire (if permitted). Before long you’ll be savoring pleasing hors d’oeuvres and the beverage of your choice—delicious as these refreshments are, they always taste better after a day on the river! Read, nap, or just sit back and laugh with friends and family as we prepare dinner. After a satisfying feast, the evening is yours to spend however you wish. Maybe music, stories, or jokes will bring us together tonight; perhaps the popping of the fire, the whisper of the river and the clarity of the big, star-filled sky will encourage silent reflection on the amazing wilderness that is, for now, our home.
Day 2: Granite Creek
  • Your day begins with the morning light turning the canyon walls the colors of sunrise. Fresh coffee and tea are waiting for you when you get up; grab a cup, sit back, and take in the glory of the awakening river. Soon breakfast is served—omelets made to order, blueberry pancakes, sizzling bacon, fresh fruit, and juice are among the treats in which you’ll indulge. Once you’ve eaten your fill, you’ll pack up your things as the guides break down camp. Then our new day’s adventure begins.  
  • Today is an exciting whitewater day, culminating in two of Hells Canyon’s biggest rapids: Wild Sheep and Granite. Our anticipation builds as we stop at the top of each rapid, looking down at the thundering whitewater that awaits us. Those of us brave enough to paddle the inflatable kayaks get some last-minute instruction before we challenge the big waves and drops, flying through the frothy rapids and coming out slightly wet (maybe very wet!), but elated.  
  • As the roiling rapids give way to more gentle stretches, we may stop and hike up Granite Creek for viewing Native American pictographs. Or, perhaps we’ll float down to Bernard Creek for a hike to McGaffee Cabin—a homestead preserved from the early 1900s—and panels of Indian pictographs.  
  • This section of the Snake River offers excellent trout fishing. During periods of calmer water, or perhaps at lunch today, the anglers in the group will have some great opportunities to cast their line in deep pools.
Day 3: Snake River
  • Whitewater action continues with big hits like Waterspout, Rush Creek, Somers Creek, Tryon, Lookout Creek, Five Pine, Wild Goose, and Deer Head rapids—some of which are great for swimming! 
  • A visit to Kirkwood Historic Ranch and Museum provides a taste of living history, exhibiting the lifestyle of Hells Canyon’s inhabitants in the 1930s. This is also the site of extensive historic and prehistoric Indian artifacts, which are displayed and interpreted in the Kirkwood Museum. This scenic ranch is a must-see on any Snake River trip. Further downstream, Pittsburg Landing offers an even more fascinating look at the life of the early Native Americans in Hells Canyon. Lodge rings, petroglyphs, and other artifacts still remaining on the shore teach us more about the inhabitants who prospered for thousands of years along the Snake River.
  • This is the ending point of the 3-day trip. After visiting Pittsburg Landing, we’ll say our goodbyes, then those of us leaving will take a three-hour ride back to Lewiston; those staying on for the 5-day trip will continue down the river. As the water becomes calmer, we’ll refocus our attention on the rocky canyonwalls, looking for resident wildlife—including bear, deer, elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep—and marveling at the majestic beauty of the deepest gorge in North America. We’ll also see evidence of development and multiple-use impacts as we continue our float.
Day 4: Salt Creek and Coon Hollow
  • Those looking for a challenging climb might have the chance to negotiate the steep but scenic trail toSuicide Point. Panels of Indian rock art are highlights of possible hikes to Temperance Creek and Deep Creek. The latter is also the site of a darker history; in 1887, 31 Chinese men were murdered here for their gold. Other interesting destinations for the avid to explore are Salt Creek and Coon Hollow.
Day 5: Grande Ronde
  • Depending on our individual trip’s schedule, we could have an early start and get under way after a cold breakfast, or we may enjoy a hearty breakfast and a more leisurely pace, but we are now much more accustomed to our life in the wilderness. The thought of returning to “civilization” brings mixed emotions—sadness at leaving Hells Canyon and our new friends, and perhaps excitement at the prospect of returning to creature comforts. Our final day’s float brings us past the Snake’s confluence with three major rivers: the Imnaha, Salmon, and Grande Ronde. After the latter, we reach our take-out point at Heller Bar. A 45-minute shuttle ride brings us back to Lewiston, where we bid farewell to our guides and fellow travelers. It doesn’t take us long to realize that although we have left the river, the river will never leave us.
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Makoslayer from Pacific Palisades, CA
Really top notch guides. we had a boy who got sick on the trip and the guides were so caring and professional. Sat phones, cpr trained, these guys really have it together. No worries with O.A.R.S. Food was better that eating out in L.A. I shouldn't leave out the amazing water and scenery.
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Legal Eagle in Florida from Miami, Florida
We need to begin with the exceptional guides, who are very qualified, entertaining, and seemed to know just how to balance total safety with adventure and excitement on the river. The food was great and the accomodations (800 foot canyons with a roaring river) could not be beat. I took my 9 year old son, who by the fourth day was soloing in a one man kayak through some amazing rapids. The hikes, which I would categorize as moderately intensive, offered great panoramic views of the canyon and river.
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Caroline, Dentist, Back-up Singer from Columbia, SC
The guides were stellar with the perfect combination of knowledge and experience...Bram even writes and shares his own music! As a single mom with two highly-spirited boys aged 9 & 10 years, I have to say that the in-camp atmosphere was a relaxing to me as being in one of the many boats--not a care in the world. All of the guides made sure that the boys were safely engaged in having FUN! What a fantastic experience to share with them--they all made us feel like cherished family! Thanks y'all!
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Bob from Portland, OR
This was a well-organized fun trip that was an exciting family adventure, yet we always felt safe and cared for. Our guides were knowledgeable, competent, and just nice people. There were many educational / cultural / historical / botanical / geological learning opportunities--they even carried a small library on the trip. There was a wealth of wildlife: mountain goats, big horn sheep, elk, etc. There were some exciting class 4 rapids and some great scenery (though watch out for the poison ivy). Folks who brought fishing poles were highly jazzed, because the fishing was really fantastic. The food and drink was excellent (though personally I would rather have had a guinness than a budweiser)-steaks, salmon, they even brought eggs over those rapids! They really have the food and comfort down, even decent mattresses. We had some great get-togethers after dinner in the evenings, and we often slept on the beach, sometimes under the open sky. For some of the younger folks who wanted more adventure, the inflatable kayaks were an option that gave them ALL the excitement they wanted. We had a great party afterward as well.. going through an adventure like this can connect you with folks more deeply than via what transpires in ordinary everyday experience-- after just a few days together, I still remember many of these people's stories, and if I bumped into one of these guides or raftmates tomorrow, I feel we would recognize each other instantly, and we'd be glad to see each other agai
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TRIP INCLUDES
  • Skilled professional guide service 
  • 4(or 2) Nights catered camping 
  • Meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 5 (or Day 3), with limited beer, wine and soda at dinner 
  • Expedition equipment, including 2-person shared tent, sleeping bag with liner, sleeping pad, pillow with pillow case, ground cloth, and dry bags to hold your gear
  • High quality inflatable rafts and kayaks, colorful handcrafted dories, and related river equipment including paddle, helmet and personal flotation device (PFD)
  • Wetsuits and splash jackets for paddlers – weather dependent 
  • Transfers from Lewiston to the river and back
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Transportation to and from Lewiston, Idaho 
  • Pre- and post-trip accommodations and meals 
  • Single supplement tent ($30 plus tax) 
  • Insurance of any kind, including travel insurance 
  • Items of a personal nature (an equipment list will be provided) 
  • Gratuities.
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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