Whitewater Packraft - Salmon River (Lower): Hammer Creek to Heller Bar

Overview

Starting at Hammer Creek, we’ll run the bottom 52.5 miles of the Salmon River, then go 19.75 miles down the Snake River to take out at Heller Bar on the Washington side. 

The Salmon River from Hammer Creek is pool and drop with Class II rapids with 8 Class III rapids and one Class IV rapid. During summer months use is high through this section. There is a well preserved petroglyph site that we will stop at not far below Hammer Creek. 

The 20 mile stretch of the Snake River to Heller Bar contains slower moving water with some rapids often characterized by stiff up-canyon winds and jet boat traffic especially on weekends. 

The drive from Seattle to Hammer Creek is approximately 7 hours, depending on traffic, with a similar drive time returning from Heller Bar. 

On the River

Historically, the Lower Salmon experiences flows from 10,000 to 60,000 CFS between May through June. Flows are sub 10,000 CFS starting typically in July and sub 5,000 CFS typically from mid-August through autumn. Note that Slide Rapids is ‘barely a riffle’ at flows of 10,000 CFS or below, but becomes Class V or above at 20,000 CFS and above. This trip is being timed to avoid the higher flows. 

Paddlers should plan to run most if not all Class III rapids, some of which we will scout depending on conditions. The Class IV rapid appears portageable and we will plan to scout it and make a call whether to run it at that time. 

See American Whitewater:  Salmon 9 - Hammer Creek to Snake River confluence (Lower Gorge). There are also numerous YouTube videos on some of these rapids, including the Snow Hole Class IV rapid at 4,000 CFS

For more detailed river information see the full Mountaineers route description and/or  the Lower Salmon River Boating Guide, Vinegar Creek to Heller Bar, BLM, downloadable from the BLM here. This can also be purchased in hardcopy via Amazon

Expenses

These estimated trip expenses will be shared:

• Individual carpools can chose to use a commercial shuttle service (approximately $250) or to set up the shuttle themselves on Wednesday.
• There is no river permit fee for boating the Lower Salmon or Snake

How to Join

Read through the river and trip description above. If it is appealing, consider the river difficulty.  If you feel the trip is within your ability, then read the goals, expectations and style below to discuss the trip with the leader.

Goals

• Welcome members of the Mountaineers packraft community with some experience running Class III rivers. 
• Be safe: make decisions with risk management in mind
• Have fun and enjoy being on the trip regardless of conditions
• Enjoy one another’s company and create a positive culture of mutual supportiveness, respect, and kindness

Expectations

• Actively contribute to achieving the group’s goals
• Participate in group decisions and abide by decisions made by the group or the leader
• Be able to assess whether you can safely paddle versus portage a rapid
• When river conditions are more difficult, maintain group awareness and positioning to help each other
• Don’t take risks that other group members don’t support

Style

• A relaxed breakfast, on the water by mid-morning, stop for camp by about 4pm, have time for some hiking and a relaxed evening
• Decision-making collaborative and by consensus whenever possible
• No fires
• Planning some shared meals or meal items is encouraged but everyone is free to plan food as they wish
• The Salmon and Snake flow through agricultural areas and may contain chemicals and fertilizers. Although river water can be filtered. The BLM river guide advises that fresh water sources are scarce and water should be carried.
• Human waste must be carried out

Meet Saturday evening, July 26, at the Hammer Creek Campground (12 sites, first come first served). Put in Sunday morning, July 27. Take out on Friday, August 1 at Heller Bar.