Hells Canyon Spring in Bloom Hiking and Rafting Trip

Spend 5 wonderful days experiencing the spectacular spring bloom in Hells Canyon while rafting and hiking your way through the deepest river gorge in North America. This special trip allows extra time in the canyon to hike some of its amazing trails, smell the blooming wildflowers and experience the grandeur of this special place. A perfect trip for naturalists and thrill-seekers alike. While our guides are versed in the flora and fauna of the river, we do offer an option to bring along a special naturalist guide. Please inquire.

Quick Trip Details

Where: Snake River through Hells Canyon
Starting Point: Joseph, OR
Launch Dates: June 5th and 16th
Trip Length: 5 days and 5 nights (first night in B&B in Joseph, OR, included in trip cost)
Who: Anyone age 7 and up with a sense of adventure who wishes to explore beyond the riverbanks of Hells Canyon
Cost: Adults $1,455 / Youth $1,164 (special early-season rate)

Trip Includes

*First night's lodging at the Chandler's Inn Bed & Breakfast in Joseph, OR
*Transportation to and from the river
*Round-trip transportation to and from the river (including a scenic flight or jet boat ride out of the canyon)
*Outstanding, fully catered guide service, along with all necessary equipment
*All meals beginning with breakfast on the first day to lunch on the last day

Trip Itinerary

Day 0 - Arrival Day: Arrive at the Chandler's Inn Bed and Breakfast in Joseph, OR (lodging is included in your trip cost). Pre-Trip Meeting with Winding Waters at Chandlers at 6pm.

Day 1 - Launch Day: Breakfast served at Chandlers by 6:45am and departure at 7:30am. Travel in the Winding Waters' van to Hells Canyon Dam along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway through the beautiful Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Stop at Scotty’'s Market near the Dam and purchase an Oregon fishing license if needed. Meet your guide crew at the Dam. Launch by 11am following a brief risk management discussion. Lunch will be served riverside. Encounter rapids such as Wild Sheep and Granite on this first day with time to relax, fish, explore archeological sites and take in the breathtaking views. Plan to be in camp by 4:00pm today. Expect an evening beginning with a delicious meal, followed by good conversation, campfire, games and music. Feel free to bring a musical instrument.

Day 2 - River Day: The morning routine: hot drinks and fruit juice served by about 7am and breakfast by 8am. The guide crew will break camp and after a brief discussion of the day's plan, begin the day’'s float by 10am. Today's rapids include Bernard, Water Spout, and Rush Creek. Visit ancient pictograph sites, not so ancient homestead cabins, and jump from Sturgeon Rock. Lunch will again be served riverside today with camp arrival around 4pm. Expect another wonderful evening beginning with a delicious meal followed up with good conversation, campfire, games and music.

Day 3 - Layover Day: Morning routine. Spend an adventurous day exploring the side canyons and trails of the upper canyon or simply kick-back and relax in camp. Let the Winding Waters' guides cater to your every whim, as usual, and soak up the beauty of Hells Canyon.

Day 4 - River Day: Morning routine. Today will be spent hiking to the overlook at Suicide Point, floating, scanning the slopes for wildlife, spotting the birds responsible for those beautiful songs, exploring historic Kirkwood Ranch, laughing and playing in the river. Enter the lower canyon, where the canyon walls appear to crowd in, rising as far as the eye can see. The landscape changes every minute as our perspective changes. Big Horn Sheep, Bald and Golden Eagles are often spotted in these tight canyons. Lunch will again be served riverside with camp arrival being around 4pm. There is always time in camp to take a swim, go on a short hike, read a book, catch a fish, play Bocce Ball, or simply lay in a hammock. Expect another wonderful evening beginning with a delicious meal followed up with good conversation, campfire, games and music.

Day 5 - River/Take Out Day: Morning routine. Today pass Pittsburg Landing, the take out for our 3 day trips. Enter the lower canyon, where the canyon walls appear to crowd in, rising as far as the eye can see. The landscape changes every minute as our perspective changes. Big Horn Sheep, Bald and Golden Eagles are often spotted in these tight canyons. Lunch will be served riverside at historic Dug Bar, our take-out point for the trip. Learn why the Nez Perce chose this location to cross the Snake River when fleeing the Wallowa Mountain region while soaking up the last bit of river tranquility before your departure. Scenic flights to the Joseph area with the region's best bush pilot depart between 1 and 2pm if conditions are favorable. Otherwise, enjoy a scenic jet boat ride to Asotin, ID where the Winding Waters van will meet and deliver you back to Joseph generally by 5pm. We suggest you make a reservation with Chandler's if you plan to stay in Joseph this evening. Let us know if we can help with these arrangements.

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