Rapid River Trail 113

Rapid River Trail 113

We had planned to hike the Rapid River Trail 113 for the last couple of days but due to rain we delayed the walk until yesterday.  What a great hike!  The Rapid River has been designated a National Wild and Scenic River which means that it is still pristine - no dams, no alterations, still the natural river that it has always been for hundreds of years.  But first, we stopped at the Rapid River Fish Hatchery which is located about 2 miles from the merging of Rapid River to the Little Salmon River in Riggins.  Our tour guide, John, sure loves his work and the business.  His enthusiasm of the process this hatchery does and the impact to the salmon was so evident.  In layman's terms - the hatchery (one of 5 in Idaho) transfers salmon from the Snake River to the Salmon River above the Hells Canyon Dam and the Brownlee Dam. Very detailed process but their aim is to release 3 million steelhead salmon each year into the river. The hatchery also tags or mark the fish for scientific study and also tracking for migration and observation to number of returns, life cycle, etc.  This hatchery has been rated one of the most successful in the Pacific Northwest.  Quite impressive operation.

Pretty setting - bridge across Rapid River

After the tour we hiked Trail 113 along the Rapid River. We really did not know how long the trail was, our plan was to hike until ... then come back.  After googling the hike last night after we got back, we could have hiked over 40 miles.  As it was, we went a little over 1 1/2 miles and then return.  Absolutely one of the best hikes we have ever done.  Every step we took, the view changed - just breathtaking.  At first we were up high looking down into the canyon and the Rapid River, could hear the river and see it but it was far away. Then we walked through meadows, dropped down along the river for quite a distance.  Got to a wooden bridge (there are bridges every 1 1/2 miles) and then returned.  The butterflies!  I was so concerned about stepping on them, they were that numerous.  Took a break and sat on a rock outcropping right at the river's edge. Wonderful memories!

Trail along the river

Our break spot - sat on this rock

We saw scat droppings of a couple different animals but no bear scat, thank goodness.  The trail was well worn and very level.  Surprisingly.  We both commented that we have not traveled on any flat surfaced trail for many years.  Some steep inclines and then sharp drops down, but the trail was rated easy for the first 3 miles, then moderate, last 20 miles difficult.

Wood's Rose bushes abundant

Some sensory memories - the roar of the water was so loud that we had to yell at each other to talk.  The clearness of the water.  At still water (runs deep) you could see the bottom but for the most part, the water was cascading over rocks and the white water is pretty much what you saw.  Lots of boulders in the water.  Trees overhanging the river from one side to the other. Tremendous movement and spray/foam from the water.  The smells of the forest - pine, wild flowers especially the Wood's Rose, dampness from the rock overhangs.  You could smell the roses way before seeing them.  The moss on the trees from the wetness.  The temperature drop when you were in the shade. High cliffs overhead with birds flying in and out of crevices. The feeling you were alone and a very minuscule part of the world.  A piece of Heaven on earth.

After our walk John had suggested we drive up Seven Devils Road and go to the top where you could stand and drop a pebble into the Hells Canyon and turn 45 degrees and drop another pebble into the Salmon River Canyon - the two deepest gorges in the US (the Grand Canyon is 3rd).  Alas - too much snow and downed trees and had to turn around not far from the top.  Too bad - should have been here about two weeks later.

Downed trees and snow blocked road - too bad