Guide: Karoline Woodhead

Years spent guiding: 7

Favorite regional river: Salmon River

When you find something you love in the outdoors, it’s a joy to share it with others. Karoline Woodhead started her rafting career at age 17 which gave her a chance to share her love of rivers. “My favorite thing about guiding is introducing people to new, wild places that I care about and watching them fall in love with them,” she says.

Woodhead started out working as a “swamper” on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, helping guides set up camp on multi-day raft trips. She progressed to leading half-day trips on the Payette River just outside of her hometown of Boise, Idaho. She was then drawn to ROW Adventures because of the many rivers that they run, and the relationships that they promote between the guests, guides, and the wilderness they recreate in. This will be her second season with ROW.

Last season, when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, guiding brought Woodhead a small sense of normalcy and peace in a difficult year. “River guiding last season was different than normal years, especially knowing that we were coming in contact with guides and guests from all around the country,” she says. Guides adopted extra precautions like mask wearing, cleaning regimens, and social distancing both on and off the river, Woodhead explains. “Even with the changes, I never felt like the experiences or memories of the river were affected.”

This season, Woodhead looks forward to guiding new rivers, taking on new leadership positions, and continuing to hone her skill of gear packing.

Guide: Tom Scarborough

Years spent guiding: 19

Favorite regional river: The Rouge

For Tom Scarborough, whichever river he’s currently rafting is his favorite. This seems a suitable answer for a seasoned river rat.  Following his guide training in 2002, Scarborough has worked as a regular guide, a returning guide leading trips, the manager of the Middle Fork of the Salmon, and is in his 11^th season of managing ROW’s Rouge River outpost.

Scarborough’s favorite thing about guiding river trips is the simple clarity that comes from connecting with nature, both for himself and his guests. “[There’s] the feeling of living at the river’s pace, and being in the moment. I can forget the rest of the world for a little while,” he says. “What goes hand-in-hand with that is the disconnection from the now commonplace connection of email, phone, Internet, and the modern distractions that they create. On a river trip you get to slow down and interact with people the old-fashioned way, face to face.”

That face-to-face interaction was of course a bit different on the river in 2020. Last spring, when the pandemic broke out, Scarborough says everyone was quite nervous, not knowing if the things they were doing to contain the virus would be enough. With the introduction of vaccinations and an increased knowledge about the virus, he is feeling hopeful and better prepared for the 2021 season, though he says he knows it will be important to stay vigilant in the outdoor industry.

“People have seemed very appreciative to have a safer, outdoor vacation to participate in,” says Scarborough of the previous season amongst COVID. “We get to be part of making memories for our guests, and with the in-real-life experiences we take people on being harder to come by, we are helping to ground and connect people a bit more than they have been in a while.”

This season, Scarborough looks forward to building a new crew of river guides and working as a team to bring people those authentic experiences. His favorite part of being a ROW manager is that he gets to teach, mentor, and also participate on the crew trips.

Guide: Kim Cunningham

Years spent guiding: 5

Favorite regional river: St. Joe River

After hearing the story of Kim Cunningham’s first rafting trip, you might not assume she’d end up working as a guide. In November 2016 Cunningham embarked on the Yaak river in Northwest Montana with some friends. She wore mismatched and borrowed cold weather gear and didn’t exactly know what she was in for. As her friends approached a large rapid they planned to portage, they hit a bump and Cunningham flew out of the boat.

“I managed to have my first swim on my very first day of rafting above a big rapid in one of the coldest water temps I have rafted in less than optimal gear, and somehow I still loved it enough to decide to become a river guide,” she says.

Cunningham lives and teaches in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, which puts her at convenient proximity to her favorite river, the St. Joe. She is starting her fifth season with ROW Adventures and has led guided trips all over Idaho. “I love getting to see people experience the river and push themselves to try new things,” she says. “The most challenging thing is managing groups with varying levels of river experience to make sure everyone has fun at their own level and pace.” Last season, there was the extra duty of managing the social dynamics of the trip while maintaining social distance. Kim continued to encourage guests to get to know one another and have fun.

In 2021 she looks forward to traveling more and is eager to grow as a boater and learn the technical rapids of the Middle Fork in her second season on the Salmon River.

Lisa Laughlin is a freelance writer living in Spokane. She enjoys paddleboarding, trail running, and backpacking. She wrote about hiking Beezley Hill in the Nov.-Dec. 2020 issue of Out There.

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“Restoring this site was a high priority for anglers putting in upstream and paddlers needing to exit before entering the Class III rapids of the Bowl and Pitcher,” says Andy Dunau, executive director of the Spokane River Forum.

The success of this effort resulted in such high site usage in 2019, adds Dunau, that investment was needed to assure its ease of use and safety well into the future. Through collaboration among the Forum, City of Spokane, and Spokane Indians Baseball Redband Campaign, a paved ramp for vehicles and watercraft trailers was built and parking access improved. An asphalt road section leads to the river’s high-water mark and connects to a cement section that extends further down. For more information about the Spokane River Water Trail, visit Spokaneriver.net.

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The Grande Ronde River

The Grande Ronde is located in the extreme northeast corner of Oregon, and actually flows into Washington before emptying into the Snake River a short ways upstream from Lewiston and Clarkston. The rafting section of the river is 38 miles long and very scenic, and at normal flows it can easily be floated in two to three days with enough time to drive home the last day. It has a few fun rapids that pose little danger, and it has wilderness-like qualities because most of it flows through an area with no roads. This means you are likely to see some wildlife as you float along. In fact the last time our family went, we saw bald eagles carrying fish and attacking a flock of Canada geese. We even glimpsed a mountain goat that was surprisingly close to the river. Watch out for rattlesnakes that can make an appearance on beaches and in camp.

The Grande Ronde flows through the Blue Mountains in an area of mixed conifers. The river canyon is fairly dry, and it has plenty of benches of Ponderosa pine that make great camp spots. The river has a few class II rapids and one class III called Red or House Rock, which is probably the shortest and most straightforward class III I’ve ever encountered. It’s easy to spot due to the house-sized rock that narrows the channel and creates the rapid, and a quick scout will show you how to navigate it safely to the left of the boulder. At normal flows none of these rapids would flip a proper whitewater raft, but during spring run-off you will need expert skills to stay safe.

The John Day River

The John Day River is in north central Oregon, so it has more of a high desert landscape. The rafting section is below the mountains, so there is less of a gradient and fewer rapids. There are more put-in options on this river, so the length can vary from 35 to 48 miles. If you take out at the Clarno bridge, you will really never encounter a rapid that is more than a class II, so this is truly a beginner river. What you will experience, however, is plenty of rolling scenery and an incredible abundance of smallmouth bass.

If the Grande Ronde is more about scenery and remote camping, then the John Day is more about fishing. We are not expert bass fisherman, but we still caught a tremendous number of smallmouths on our first float down this river. The John Day does pass through some agricultural areas with quite a bit of private land—so finding camp spots can be a little trickier—but the BLM river map makes it quite clear where you can and can’t stay with designated camp spots clearly marked.

Both of these rivers offer a great introduction to multi-day rafting with unique features. They are family friendly and ready made for memorable adventures. More information on both rivers can be found by searching the www.americanwhitewater.org site. Both rivers are administered by the Bureau of Land Management, which offers float guides for each river. Contact the Prineville, Ore., office of the BLM for the John Day, and the Baker, Ore., field office for the Grande Ronde.

Planning Information

The Grande Ronde river trip actually begins on the Minam River at Minam State Park, which joins the main river 10 miles downstream. The takeout is 38 miles downstream from the start at the Powwatka bridge, located about 7 miles upstream of Troy, Ore. Car shuttles can be arranged through the Minam Store.

The typical John Day float trip starts at Service Creek and ends at the Clarno Bridge 48 miles downstream. You can also shave 13 miles off the trip by starting at the Twickenham boat launch. Car shuttles can be arranged with the Service Creek Stage Stop.

Recommended flows on both rivers are from 1,000 cfs to 6,000 cfs. Google search “USGS Grande Ronde at Troy” or “USGS John Day at Service Creek” for flow information. Above 6,000 feet is not recommended for beginning rafters. Both of these rivers run free of dams, so it is important to check flows as they will vary substantially depending on warm weather, which causes snow melt up high, and rain.

All river camping trips are strictly pack-in, pack-out when it comes to waste—including human waste. You will need a portable toilet that can withstand the rigors of a raft trip, a fire pan if you want a campfire, dry bags for clothing and camping gear, a dry box for cooking gear, and a cooler for food. All of these will be secured to the frame on the raft, and the required gear can be rented from Eastern Washington University’s Epic Outdoors program in Cheney or from the University of Idaho’s Outdoor Program office in Moscow.

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If you are looking to float one of these rivers with a guide, little to no experience is required. On the other hand, to captain your own private trip, you should have experience successfully navigating a boat around rocks and other hazards and through a sequence of rapids, knowledge of river safety and rescue techniques, and experience camping in the backcountry. The beauty of a multi-day rafting trip is that it allows you to experience some of the most scenic places on earth from a unique perspective and with enough support gear that you can camp in relative luxury compared to a backpacking trip.

Trips of this nature use the same style rafts that you may have seen paddled before, with the difference that a metal frame is strapped to the top. This frame replaces the thwarts in the center of the raft to keep the boat structurally rigid, and also provides several bays in which to store needed camping essentials in coolers and dry boxes. It also comes with a tractor style chair and oarlocks so that the raft can be captained by a single rower instead of a team of paddlers. With the forward and aft compartments available for storing a large quantity of drybags, everything needed for a group of people to live outdoors in comfort for 3-7 days can easily be accommodated. Like most outdoor pursuits, the acquisition of this equipment represents a significant investment, but local universities rent out everything you need so that you can try your hand at it before making the larger investment. There are also numerous rafting outfitters in this region, and making an initial trip with professional guides is a great way to sample what this sport has to offer in a way that is both safe and informative for those wanting to get started. If your interest has been piqued, these three rivers offer a progression of trips from easy to more difficult.

The Grande Ronde River

The name is French for “big round” river, but the experience is quintessentially American. This river put-in, where you need to fill out a self-issue permit, is located in northeast Oregon’s Blue Mountains, a little over a four-hour drive from Spokane. The raft trip actually begins near Minam, Ore. on the Wallowa River which drains the Eagle Cap Wilderness and connects with the Grande Ronde just a few miles below the put-in. This mountain stream flows quickly through a canyon with open stands of yellow pine and open grass hillsides that constantly provide pastoral scenery on both sides. Shortly after the intersection of the two streams, all side roads come to an end, and the rest of your trip will be in a roadless portion of the Wallowa Whitman National Forest with the take out near the town of Troy, Ore. The relative remoteness means this river never fails to produce wildlife sightings. Eagles and osprey are common, and during our most recent trip we saw a bald eagle hauling a large fish up the bank on one day only to see another one attack a flock of geese that flushed on our approach the following day. You will certainly see deer and probably bighorn sheep. Once, we even saw a mountain goat right on the river bank.

There are ample campsites along the river that are first-come, first-served, and the only time you may have trouble finding one is during the busy Memorial Day weekend. This is a perfect river for beginners because the scenery is wonderful, the logistics are fairly simple, and the rapids are mostly mild. The rapids on this river are class II at normal flows, and the gradient of the river makes it easy to accomplish the 45-mile run in just 2-3 days during the season, which starts in May and can run through early July depending on river flows. The Grande Ronde River is where our sons learned to captain their own boats for the first time, and you could too.

The Lower Salmon River

This section of river begins a few miles downstream from the town of Riggins, billed as the whitewater capital of Idaho. Indeed, this is a great place to catch some really exciting rides through fun rapids on day trips. But if you are looking to extend the fun over a few more days, then start further downstream near the town of White Bird, Idaho, and float 74 miles over the course of 4-5 days and take out at Heller’s Bar near Asotin, Wash., at which point you will have been floating on the Snake River for roughly 22 miles from where the Salmon River joins the Snake in the lower reaches of Hell’s Canyon. This multi-day section requires a self-issue permit available at the Hammer Creek boat launch.

The Lower Salmon is larger than the Grande Ronde, and it drains such a significant area that it has enough water for rafting throughout the summer. This is a family favorite because the water is typically warm enough to make swimming a true pleasure, and there are huge white sand beaches for camping. This river is not in a designated wilderness, but there are so few access points that it may as well be. The canyon in this stretch is quite arid and there is a scarcity of trees, but the scenery is no less stunning because of it.

The rapids on this river are a noticeable step up from those on the Grande Ronde. There are numerous class III’s, two of which require careful maneuvering. There is one class IV on the river named Snow Hole because the large reversal created by the submerged boulder creates a frothing, churning mess that is as white as snow. If you enter this rapid correctly, the rapid is rather straightforward, but if you enter too far left or right you will quickly find yourself in a serious situation. This is not a river for beginners, but a boatman with developing Class IV skills would find this a good river a good test.

The Main Salmon River

The mighty Salmon River is the one that Lewis and Clark chose to bypass because it was considered un-runnable, but fortunately the inflatable boats of today are quite a bit more capable than what they fashioned from logs during their expedition. This is the same river as the Lower Salmon, only further upstream with a put-in near the town of North Fork, Idaho, and a take-out located about 30 miles upstream from Riggins. This trip, which requires boaters to put in for a lottery-based permit, represents 80 miles of Wild and Scenic River running through the largest designated wilderness in the lower 48 states, the Frank Church ‘River of No Return’ Wilderness. Running this river would be a logical next step in the progression after having completed the Lower Salmon, because the river is more remote and there are numerous Class IV rapids to navigate that are of greater complexity than the single one found on the lower section.

The Main Salmon starts at a high enough elevation to be enshrouded in evergreen forest, but over the course of 5-6 days, as you lose elevation, it transitions into the desert canyon climate familiar to those who have been to Riggins. I always enjoy witnessing this transition of habitats and catching glimpses of the different flora and fauna, just as much as I enjoy soaking in the natural hot spring at river’s edge part way through the trip. This river is also noteworthy for the extensive pioneer history at the various old homesteads, which are amazing testaments to the hardy people who first homesteaded this rugged region. A multi-day raft trip through the heart of this wilderness on one of the most iconic rivers of the West will be a memory you and your family or friends will never forget.

Each of these rivers has a different character and a different required skill level, so the motivated rafter should be able to find something that is a match. But be careful because once you start rafting you will likely find that it gets in your blood, and you will spend a lot of your spare moments dreaming of your time on the river.

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But as the winter drug on and the mountains were buffeted in disappointing pinwheels of rain and warm winds followed by freezing spells, then more warm rains, I knew this was bigger than a stillborn, backcountry ski season. I began to bite my nails as I pondered what it all might mean for our beautiful river in the coming summer heat.

Sure enough, this season is one for the record books. In fact, the early summer Spokane River flows are the lowest recorded to date. We are roughly at one tenth the normal flows. We have never been here before. These low flows certainly mean we should probably be riding bikes when we can and cutting our carbon footprint if we care at all about glaciers, snow packs, kids, rivers, streams and fish. Lots of us are making an effort on that front. It also means we might start valuing water and snow in new ways that help us change our habits – no more washing the car on the street or watering the sidewalks for hours at a time. Nature is changing, life is changing. Like it or not, the river we love and our relationship with it is changing.

For the first time ever, I found myself talking to state biologists about the best course for wild trout conservation and the possibility of a summer closure on angling. Rafting companies are not running their boats through the Bowl and Pitcher at a time when they are usually giving folks the ride of their lives. The Riverkeeper struggled with our annual rafting trip – the big rapids just didn’t show up for the event.

In late June I stood on a hot sidewalk with the owner of a local river rafting company, and we pondered the future. He smiled and said, “Well, I guess this means we adapt.” Wisdom, no doubt, borne from years of working with nature. He mentioned that they were moving to tube-based trips rather than the usual raft trips. It’s probably time we all think along the same lines.

So while we hope for more snow next year, and while we fight to reduce our carbon footprint and water use and do what we can to help those people and critters struggling with the consequences of global climate change, we should also think about how our relationship with the river might adapt and continue. You might not be able to raft or fish this summer the way you normally do, but you have the chance to explore other ways of getting out on and appreciating the river that the low flows present. Ride an inflatable kayak or stand up paddleboard instead of a raft. Fish in the early morning hours and keep those trout in the water. Enjoy river tubing – it’s a lot of fun and these low flows are tubing friendly. We here at Riverkeeper and other volunteers will have a chance to get at the garbage on the riverbed that was inaccessible in normal high flows. And please do what you can to support securing water for nature by practicing water conservation. See you on the River!

Jerry White Jr. learned to fly fish at a young age and has been exploring Northwest rivers by boat and on foot ever since. In 2014, he signed on as the Spokane Riverkeeper, turning his lifelong passion for our local river into a full-time job.

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Early season rafting trips also offer other perks. The scenery can be blooming wit wild flowers and spring greenery that you’ll never see once the heat hits. With water moving faster, boaters can also cover more miles of river and rapids, which means better sightseeing and wildlife watching on day trips, and more time for hiking, fishing and hanging out at camp on multi-day trips. River outfitters also have the gear and skills to help make trips in colder, bigger whitewater safe and comfortable. High end gear like thick wetsuits, splash jackets, booties, gloves, and other warm clothing and creative comforts like on-river hot lunches, heated vans, and post-trip hot springs, hot tubs, or hot showers will help keep you warm so you can focus on having fun. Here’s a sampling of some of the region’s best early season whitewater opportunities to get you scheming for your next river trip sooner rather than later.

Lochsa River

The Lochsa, which cuts through the Bitterroot Mountains in north central Idaho west of Missoula, is a world-class whitewater mecca. Come May and June, the Lochsa serves up heavy class III and IV rapids like Grim Reaper, Bloody Mary, and Lochsa Falls with huge, thrilling waves that keeps the action coming for rafters on guided trips and seasoned private boaters. “We start our season on the Lochsa in May and run trips through June, and this year with an above average snowpack, there will probably be good whitewater into July,” says Marty Smith with Three Rivers Resort and Rafting. The resort operates at the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway, which come together to form the Clearwater River, at the tiny town of Lowell. “Conditions are already good – it’s going to be an exceptional year with big whitewater,” Smith says. In addition to running river trips on the Lochsa, Three Rivers also operates a campground, rental cabins, a heated pool and hot tubs, and a restaurant, bar, and store.

ROW Adventures also runs trips on the Lochsa and offers an all-inclusive “Whitewater Rush” package that includes a thrilling day of rafting on the Lochsa and a cabin with a private hot tub at the Riverdance Lodge in Syringa, Idaho with meals at the Syringa Café included (rowadventurecenter.com).

Salmon River

The stretch of the Salmon that flows past the idyllic river town of Riggins, Idaho is a tad mellower than the Lochsa to the north, but it still packs some serious whitewater excitement into 20-25 mile day trips. In May and June, the Salmon is running cold and fast like the Lochsa, with several big class III and IV rapids like Lake Creek and Time Zone to keep the adrenaline pumping, but with its lower elevation, the temps tend to be warmer and the weather more forgiving. It can be downright summer-like in May.

Jess Baugh with Mountain River Outfitters in Riggins, which also doubles as an awesome coffee shop and small store, notes that the spring weather has been exceptionally nice already this year. They run day trips that start above town with a take-out 10 or more miles below Riggins. “Some people get scared of early season whitewater, but you’ll be in the best equipment and have the best guides and gear,” Baugh says. “We’ll keep you safe and warm, and you’ll have a lot of fun.”

Mountain River Outfitters also offers a unique two-day trip on the Salmon that starts further upstream at the end of the Salmon River Road. From there, the 40 mile trip covers more remote reaches of the canyon and includes a night of beach camping with hiking to a hot spring. This trip is a great opportunity to sample a bit of what a longer wilderness river trip is like. (idahoriver.com).

Moyie and St. Joe Rivers

ROW Adventures, which offers an ever-increasing selection of outdoor adventure tours around the region and the world, is one of only two outfitters that take people down the little-known Moyie River in extreme north Idaho and the only outfitter to offer trips down the St. Joe east of St. Maries.

“The Moyie is a gem that many people don’t know about, but when they get out with us on a trip, the beautiful forested canyon blows them away,” says Candy Bening, an avid river runner and ROW’s Domestic Sales Manager. The Moyie (two hours north of Spokane) is an exciting 15 mile day-trip  through a roadless canyon with class II and III whitewater that is less heart racing and more awe inspiring. It’s perfect for families or mixed groups with some people who may not be up for more intense adventures like ROW’s Lochsa trips. Moose, bear, and several species of raptors are often spotted on Moyie trips, while other boaters are few and far between.

A highlight of a Moyie trip, is running an exciting rapid around the towering face of the old Eileen Dam. “You’re heading down the river towards a big, impassible looking cement wall, and then you come around the corner and you see the gap in the old dam with an exhilarating rapid,” Bening says. The season on the Moyie is typically limited to several weeks in May and June (depending on flows).

The “Shadowy St. Joe” further south is a well-known fishing destination that is full of whitewater surprises for rafters. 60 miles upstream from the town of St. Maries, the canyon walls constrict the current, creating big, explosive class III to III+ waves. “What brings people out is the gorgeous forest, wildlife and fun, fast rapids,” Bening says. “It’s a pretty consistent boom, boom, boom of whitewater when the flows are high.” Day trips on the cedar forest-lined St. Joe range from 12-16 miles. (rowadventurecenter.com).

Snake River (Hells Canyon)

Looking for a little more than a one or two day trip? Several outfitters, including ROW Adventures and Mountain River Outfitters, offer multi-day wilderness river trips down the Snake through Hells Canyon. The canyon is wild, rugged, and serves up a couple of the region’s most intense rapids in the midst of dazzling scenery and unbeatable camping and hiking on 3-4 day trips. All in the deepest gorge in North America. Hells Canyon is known for its warm spring weather and the dam controlled flows are warmer, which makes for more pleasant rapid runs and some excellent fishing.

Wenatchee River

With such exciting early season whitewater, a trip on the Wenatchee River out of Leavenworth, Wash. should get more attention from those of us who live east of the Cascades. Beginning the first weekend in May, Leavenworth based Osprey Rafting is offering several trips that are tiered towards specific types of rafters. Looking for an adrenaline charged whitewater pounding? Try one of Osprey’s High Adventure trips featuring some of the Wenatchee’s biggest class IV rapids (Triple Shot and Tenley Falls) on a 16 mile long day that ends at Osprey’s private beach for a BBQ beach party. They also offer their Main Event class III trips that cover eight major rapids and are suitable for families and anyone who wants an exciting day on the river without the added intensity of class IV whitewater. Like your whitewater wild, fast, and late in the day so you can hike, climb or ride the trails around Leavenworth first? Check out Osprey’s Happy Hour floats that include two runs down the biggest rapids on the river from 5-7 p.m. followed up with a beer at Icicle Brewery. “We’re talking big, fun, heart pounding whitewater,” says Osprey Rafting’s Matt Black. “It’s the real deal, Wenatchee whitewater experience packed into two hours.” (ospreyrafting.com).

Spokane River

Surprisingly to some, the Lower Spokane on the edge of the city passes through a gorgeous river canyon with several fun class III rapids, including the Bowl and Pitcher and Devils Toenail. A whitewater trip down the Spokane is one of the best ways to see 14,000 acre Riverside State Park, Washington’s largest state park. Several outfitters start running trips on the Spokane in May and June when flows are fast and furious, and then transition to more easy going floats later in the summer. Book a half-day trip and spend the rest of the day exploring the park’s miles of hiking and biking trails. //

Whitewater Events:

Cinco Fest at Three Rivers Resort (May 3-4, Lochsa River, Lowell, Idaho)

An informal tradition at the Three Rivers Resort, Cinco Fest attracts groups of boaters from Spokane and north Idaho to take advantage of some of the season’s biggest whitewater. Three Rivers offers rafting specials (with free camping at the resort if you raft). After a refreshing day on the river, hit the hot tub, fiesta down by the bonfire or cozy up with your favorite cerveza in the bar. (idaho3rivers.com).

Lochsa Rendezvous (May 3, Lochsa River, Lochsa Lodge, Idaho)

This annual rafter rendezvous put on by Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures on the Lochsa River has a cult-like following, with cabins at the Lochsa Lodge typically booked up for the weekend well in advance (camping should still be available). Rafting specials all weekend will get you out on the wild Lochsa, with live bluegrass music by Missoula based Ted Ness and the Rusty Nails and revelry at the Lochsa Lodge into the night. (trailadventures.com).

Memorial Day Madness (May 23-26, Lochsa River, Highway 12, Idaho)

Join the informal gathering of spectators lined up to watch some serious peak flow, whitewater carnage at Lochsa Falls (mile marker 114) between Three Rivers Resort and the Lochsa Lodge along Highway 12. Boaters on all sorts of unique craft play it up for the crowd and the peanut gallery gives it right back, says Marty Smith with Three Rivers. “It’s definitely fun. People partying and cheering for boats that flip and booing at boats that make it through clean.” Watch last year’s spectacle for yourself: youtube.com/watch?v=wSWY0Mq3zFU.

Big Water Blowout River Festival (June 7, Salmon River, Riggins, Idaho)

This is an action packed day of rafting and other activities suitable for thrill seekers and families. Hit the Salmon River’s famed whitewater with experienced guides offering discounted raft trips all day (you can pre-register for a seat on a Mountain River Outfitters boat at idahoriver.com). Come paddle huge boat munching waves with names like The Pencil Sharpener, The Pancake Wave, The Big Easy and The Haystack. Enjoy the pleasant spring weather and magnificent scenery and wildlife in the second deepest gorge in North America and the rustic old-West charm of Riggins. If you’re not up for challenging the whitewater yourself, there’s excellent rapid viewing from the road in several locations. And there’s a Dutch oven cook-off, live music, a beer garden, and activities for kids at Riggins City Park. (bigwaterblowout.com). //

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This process got much easier—no more figuring out tube transport and a shuttle system—thanks to Jon Wilmot and his company, FLOW Adventures, which he founded in 2005. This summer is their first tubing season, providing daily tube rentals and shuttle service to the put-in.

“It’s great for our customers. We handle the logistics so they can concentrate on having fun,” says Jon.

FLOW stands for “For Love Of Water,” says Jon. “We play in the water all four seasons.”

In addition to river tubing, FLOW offers whitewater rafting and inflatable kayak tours on the Spokane River, as well as the Lower Salmon River in Idaho. They also rent rafts and inflatable kayaks. During the winter, the business provides guided snowshoe trips and winter backcountry educational courses.

Jon, age 43, grew up in Cheney, where as a kid he enjoyed cliff jumping, waterskiing and wakeboarding at Williams and Badger lakes.

Life for Jon today still revolves around water, with at least 250 days a year spent within the Spokane River corridor paddling, rafting, stand-up paddling, tubing, trail running, mountain biking or just helping customers on and off the river.

“The most amazing thing I’ve seen on the Spokane River was two Bald Eagles sitting on the rock in the Bowl and Pitcher with three feet of snow on the ground while it was snowing heavily,” he says.

When floating the river, the first and foremost safety gear item is a personal flotation device (PFD)—one in good condition that fits well. It’s not just a good idea; it’s required by law to wear a PFD on moving water in Washington State. Other recommended gear includes a reliable tube, water bottle, sunscreen, and “most importantly, using footwear because some people think it’s cool to break beer bottles on the rocks,” says Jon.

“Be aware of yourself and your surroundings. The river is fun and a safe place to play if you use a little common sense and don’t pretend it can’t or won’t happen to you—that’s when life usually hands you your biggest lessons.” As for safe stretches of the Spokane River for non-technical floating, one is in the valley, from Harvard Road to Plante’s Ferry Park. “There are several put-ins and take-outs in this stretch,” Jon says.

The other stretch is in downtown Spokane, from the Sandifur Bridge to the TJ Meenach Bridge area. “You can lengthen the run by going up to Water Ave, but watch out for the mean and nasty bridge abutments,” he says. “Or you can make it longer by floating down to the sewer plant.”

While Jon’s summer work days are long and busy, he says, “Ultimately it just comes down to making people’s memories of the Spokane area all about our local rivers and lakes, which takes a ton of logistics, managing staff and the guests’ schedules.”

“One of my favorite things to hear guests say is ‘I have lived my whole life in Spokane and have never seen it from this point of view—floating the river.’ The river is why Spokane exists, so I encourage people to get out on your local river and enjoy it. If you have never seen Riverside State Park from the middle of the river, you are missing out.”

When Jon isn’t on the river, he enjoys telemark skiing, snowboarding, climbing, mountain biking, trail running, and relaxing on the beach. Portland and the Oregon Coast, Sherman Pass (during winter), the Salmon River (in Idaho), and Washington’s Cascades are some of his favorite locations to venture beyond Spokane.

Here is Jon’s gear list for floating the river. A garbage bag for packing out your trash and a Discover Pass to support Washington State Parks are also recommended by Jon.

PFD:  NRS Ninja.

TUBE: TUBE Pro 48” with can holder.

KAYAK: NRS Bandit Inflatable or Wave Sport Project X 48.

PADDLE: Werner Double Diamond.

SHORTS: Patagonia board shorts.

SANDALS/BOOTIES: Luna Sandals. “By far the best I’ve had, and made in Seattle.”

HAT: Sweet Protection helmet (for whitewater rafting/kayaking) or big sun hat.

SUNGLASSES: Smith Pavilion.

The post Jon Wilmot- Floating the Spokane River appeared first on Out There Venture.

This video came from Penny courtesy of the Northwest Whitewater Association email list. I think it’s a piece of abstract art. The director has this to say:

June 20, Castle, Lochsa River: Penny demonstrates what happens when you don’t hold on with both hands. Safety note; I was underwater for about two seconds, the camera was for quite a bit longer.

The post Taking A Dunk With The Helmet Cam appeared first on Out There Venture.

Want to take a trip on the Spokane River with the Spokane River Forum? Read on:

Don’t miss your 2010 opportunities to raft or paddle all or part of the Spokane River. Due to low snow pack, we’re off to a quick start.

Saturday, May 22nd features a raft trip from Corbin Park, ID to Harvard Road in Spokane Valley. This reach has Class II (moderate) whitewater to add just a little splash to a pleasant spring time eco-tour on the river.

Sunday, May 23rd features Class III rapids through Riverside State Parks famous Bowl & Pitcher and Devil’s Toenail. You begin at water street, just below downtown and progress through areas that were encampments and meeting places for area tribes for hundreds of years. Along the way, we’ll also pull out for a behind the scenes tour of SpokaneCity’s Water Reclamation Facility.

These are professionally guided floats for those looking for an outdoor experience that’s close to home. From wildlife to geology, our Eco-tours continue to feature historic and natural resource experts pointing out the ever changing wonders of the Spokane River. You can hear about the latest in river restoration and protection and/or go “behind the scenes” to see water supply and quality activities in action.

Click here to sign up.

The post It’s time to get back on the river appeared first on Out There Venture.