Driving Along The Salmon River

Yesterday, Saturday, we drove into (north) the town of Riggins which lies right on the Salmon River.  Very cutesy town, has what you need - groceries, gas, adventure (fly fishing, tours, RV parks, coffee shops, restaurants, etc.) but we were looking for the Forest Service office which serves the Hells Canyon Recreation areas.  We have been in this town 4 years ago and just loved it.  What I did not realize, or forgot, is that this area is a Banana Belt - hot summers, very mild winters.  We are in the shadow of the Hells Canyon Mountains, therefore, a Banana Belt.  In town we saw some establishments that said, Banana this or that, and now it makes sense.  Dah.

The Salmon River is one of the largest rivers in the continental United States without a single dam on its mainstream.  The Salmon River canyons are some of the deepest in the US, surpassing the Grand Canyon and second only to the Snake River's Hells Canyon on the Idaho–Oregon border. The Salmon River flows north and joins the Snake River about 40 miles south of Lewiston, Idaho.  Lewis and Clark called the Salmon 'the river of no return' because they found it unnavigable.

Dory fishing boat with 3 guys

The Forest Service was closed but we were able to view some information on their board and had decided to come back Monday and talk with them about hiking in the area.  The day was gorgeous so we opted to take a ride.

So peaceful

Still waters run deep

Drove along the Salmon River, very very scenic, stopping every now and then to take pictures and just admire the view.  Breath taking.  We wanted to take this scenic drive again, only this time we were in a smaller car and did not worry about oncoming cars, we could hug the side of the road and know the other person could get by.  A couple of miles along the road it becomes what I call a 1 1/2 lane road, more than enough for one car and squeeze over to make room for an oncoming car/truck.  Traffic is very minimal so it was not a concern.  Lots of pull off places built into the construction of the paved road.

Bridge by Riggins Hot Springs

This woman ghosting along in her kayak, notice burned out trees?

Oh yeah, I could live there

We saw boaters, one being a dory and the others a fleet of rafts either just coming in from rafting down the Salmon, or getting ready to take off, was not sure.  Along the way we saw some really nice homes tucked up into the cliffs, and one home that was a rental/vacation home but not sure how you would get to it, never finding the driveway.  Also saw a hauler type truck with writing on the box that it was pulling, was a helicopter tucked inside - the helicopter used for construction, delivery into back country, etc.  Impressive.

Could still smell the burn

He dangles his feet in the water to move him around (and the oars)

Crossed over a bridge at Allison Creek and continued on.  Evidence of a fire was everywhere.  Trees burned out, no vegetation, not sure when it happened but we could still smell the burned wood.  Stopped at the area where Riggins Hot Springs once stood, admired the view and continued on.

Inside was a 'copter

Last bridge to cross back over to head back to Riggins

Eventually the paved road stopped and dirt/gravel road continued.  Was very packed and smooth so we continued on.  Came to where construction is underway to repair a bridge - at that point we turned around and headed back.  At Sand Bar Point we saw 5 fishing guys launch their one-man inflatable boat, paddled by their feet (they had fins on) and oars, fly fishing for small mouth bass (or so they hoped), and saw another rafter with 3 folks gliding by.  A young woman kayaking that we saw earlier had just beached her boat and was being helped out by (we think) her father.

Don't you think this is pretty?

So serene and peaceful.  What a lovely day taking in the views of the Salmon River.  I could live here but there is still so much more of the United States to see....