Middle Fork of the Salmon News

2009 MFRT Season Update

david — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:06:43 +0000

We’re getting ready for another great season! Recent storms have brought snow pack levels up to above 90% of average! This is great news for the water season ahead. The time is now for planning your trip as we still have a few high water June dates as well as July dates available.

MFRT 2007 Season wrap up

david — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:15:59 +0000

In spite of our ever-heating apprehensions and pleas for rain, wildfires gathered enough strength by mid-August to necessitate a Middle Fork closure by the Forest Service. As floater traffic instantly stopped, the reality of drought conditions setting the stage for forest fires proved once again a realism for the Wilderness. The outfitting industry working on the Salmon system, as well as the recreational rafting community, gazed upon the smoky skies with frustrated disappointment. As Mother Nature pulled the plug, many a disappointed guest went without their adventure while guides, like myself, lamented losing seasonal goodbyes made on trips now canceled.

A fellow raft company, fulfilling a Forest Service contract to boat supplies into fire crews working along the river (too smoky for re-supply by air), launched post-closure. Their tale of misery through the stifling smoke with burning eyes and migraines reflect the sound yet difficult decision the Forest Service made in closing passage.

Perhaps it is too soon for us to raise one of our surplus beers to the bright side of this trying Middle Fork season, but here’s to it anyway and I need a beer. In their greatest value Wilderness areas, and rivers floating through them, are real. Our last vestiges of nature operate on their own essential terms; of course this means storm, flood, drought, landslides (Lake Creek!!), and fires. Anyone touched by the Middle Fork, or a similar wild place, knows that Nature is in charge and for it to be any other way would not be just.

Lest we forget, fire is necessary for the health of most western wooded ecosystems. Our forests have evolved to depend on fires to clean out underbrush and maintain biological diversity.

These sentiments do not pay bills or provide coveted vacations but the river flows on and the fires will fade. As the spring floods rise to meet us next season, we will again visit this pristine place and share it as happy travelers.

All the best,
Sam

Middle Fork of the Salmon Water Levels

david — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 19:48:25 +0000

Water levels for the 2008 are looking great as we enter February. The high mountains of Idaho are getting snow storm after snow storm. The city of Stanley (web cam link) has not seen the sun for quite some time. This translates into great water levels for our river rafting season. middle-salmon.jpgThis kind of water is great for the Salmon River as it cleans up the river like a big hose removing debris and wood that has been deposited in the river from our recent mud slides. Here is a link to a Idaho Snowpack report.

Our dates are filling up so if you would like to see the Middle Fork in the 2008 season contact us.