By Devon Barker

Photos

Many people have heard of Idaho’s multi-day raft trips on the Selway or the Middle Fork of Salmon but maybe not of the other 100 mile stretch of the Main Salmon or the Lower Salmon. Less have heard of Hells Canyon of the Snake, Bruneau, or the Owyhee. I have spent the last 18 summers guiding on the Snake, Salmon, Owyhee, and the Bruneau.

I left the Reno River Festival in route to Colorado via a mult-day trip with Barker River Expeditions. I safety kayaked while my brothers, Jon and Jacques guided the rafts. Our parents, John & Marye’ Barker came along as well. In the first hour of the trip my mom declared, “This is better than the Grand Canyon!”

The Bruneau and Owyhee Canyons are tight and technical rivers where as the Snake and Salmon are big water runs. The Bruneau was already running low so there was a lot of scouting and technical moves for the rafts. The side canyon hikes were outstanding and the hot springs offered perfect relaxation from the rapids and the rattlesnakes. Every time I turned around, or took a paddle stroke it seemed as if I would find another rattler! My brother pointed out this cool cave at the water level and told me I could go paddle inside of it. He had been inside over thirty feet back. Well, on a piece of guarding drift wood there sat a rattlesnake sunning himself with his rattle just dipping into the water. I passed on the caving.

This is a must do raft or kayak trip as soon as possible. The river flow can be found here. Today the river is running at 96 cfs.

You can easily run kayaks down to 250 cfs but the more water the better the rapids. Raft should go no lower than about a 1,000 cfs if you do not know the river.

This trip note is long over due but I have not been letting any water pass by. I just spent the last 23 days in Hells Canyon of the Snake River with Hughes River Expeditions. Moving from my Jackson Star kayak to an 18 foot NRS raft is about the same change that I had in vehicles this spring. The Dodge broke down for the last time. I had lost my wallet a week before but had enough gas money to get home but not for the tow truck. Luckily, I had the tow truck’s number in my cell. When I told him I did not have my wallet he reminded me that All State did not pay for the last time my truck was towed! This time I would have to pay cash.

Without a pause he hooked my favorite truck in the world up and I jumped in. I knew my dad and brother were behind me as we had all just got off the Bruneau River together. They did not catch up before we made our way to Cascade, Idaho to a shop so the driver let me off on the street corner and told me to flag them down. My Dad and Jacques were surprised to see me waving them down on the corner at dusk but not surprised when I told them I need cash for tow truck as I had lost my wallet again.

It was so sad to see my truck go but I am now downsized into a Subaru. Ally, my dog, is pouting a bit but this too shall pass. I have a few days off and I am headed to Gold Hole and Couch Wave on the Salmon River for a little surfing with Chris and Liberty Hoffer. I cannot wait.

Paddle in Peace, devon