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H U G H E SRiver Expeditions, Inc.

We invite you to join us for a unique vacation. Hughes River Expeditions,

Inc. is a small, owner-operator business. We are pleased to tailor a trip to your

interests.

The rivers we run are among the most beautiful and challenging in the West.

Flowing through isolated backcountry, they offer striking natural beauty, white

water, history, and a diversity of wildlife. We are committed to ecologically sound

camping, and our appreciation for this country is matched by the care we show

for it.

There is time for fishing, hiking, exploring long abandoned cabins, mines, and

Indian sites, or for simply enjoying a comfortable riverside camp.

The guides who work with us are professionals with exceptional river skills and

years of experience. Each is an expert outdoor cook, and their diverse backgrounds

and personalities will enhance your trip. The trips and crew have a casual style,

reflecting the best of Western warmth and hospitality.

Fantastic meals feature fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meats, pasta dishes,

evening hors d‘oeuvres, a variety of lunch and dinner salads, and Dutch oven

baking. We always have plenty of food and ice for the entire trip.

A selection of river equipment allows us to provide boats to fit your interests.

Self-bailing oar rafts, paddle rafts, and inflatable kayaks are available. The trips

are supported by big, custom-designed supply pontoons that carry your duffle,

extra ice chests, tents, camp chairs, and a deluxe kitchen outfit. All the camping

gear is furnished, including tents, sleeping pads, freshly-laundered sleeping bags,

waterproof duffles, and camera boxes.

We invite you to join us ”on the river“, and we promise spectacular rivers,

expert professional guides, delicious meals, excellent equipment, and first-class

service.

Jerry Hughes & Carole Finley

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Hughes River Expeditions, Inc.P.O. Box 217Cambridge, Idaho 83610(208) 257-3477800-262-1882info@hughesriver.comwww.hughesriver.comwww.snakerafting.com

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In Hells Canyon, the Snake River separates Idaho

and Oregon by cutting America’s deepest canyon. The

staggering 8,000 foot drop from He Devil Mountain

to the Snake River creates one of nature’s most

breathtaking gorges.

Nez Perce Indian legend claims ”Coyote“ dug Hells

Canyon with a big stick to protect their ancestors in

Oregon‘s Blue Mountains from the ”seven devils“

across the gorge in what is now Idaho. Eons of uplift,

erosion, and volcanic activity have created the rich

geologic mosaic found in Hells Canyon. When Lake

Bonneville overflowed some 15,000 years ago, a massive

flood scoured the area and shaped the present Canyon.

The country is amazing. Rugged walls rise from the

river. Grassy hillsides are green in spring and golden

in late summer. River-polished boulders shine along

the banks. Tributary grottos are deliciously cool, and

wildflowers and cacti bloom extravagantly. Ponderosa

pines are scattered throughout the landscape, and

conifer forests blanket the Canyon rims.

We explore aboriginal sites, including pictographs,

petroglyphs, rock shelters, and house pits. The Canyon‘s

archaeology reveals more than 7,800 years of

habitation.

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SNAKE RIVER THROUGH HELLS CANYONSNAKE RIVER THROUGH HELLS CANYON

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3 or 4 DAY EXPEDITION3 Days/2 Nights, or 4 Days/3 Nights. 32 River Miles. Meet in

Cambridge, Idaho. We provide transportation to put-in at Hells

Canyon Cr. and from Pittsburg Landing take-out back to Cambridge.

5 or 6 DAY EXPEDITIONGroups can arrange 5 Day or 6 Day Trips from Hells

Canyon Cr. to Heller Bar. 79 River Miles. Check for details.

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Abandoned homesteads reflect the recent past.

Tales of the Deep Creek Massacre, sternwheel

steamers, the Nez Perce Crossing, and unsolved

murders are part of Hells Canyon lore. At Kirkwood

Bar Historic Ranch, the Forest Service has preserved

and displayed remnants of the Canyon‘s rich history.

Rafting the Snake is challenging fun! Wild Sheep,

Granite, Bernard, No Name, Waterspout, and Rush

Creek rapids are the most powerful white water in

the Northwest. Between rapids, there is time to enjoy

the scenery of a magnificent canyon.

Fishing in Hells Canyon is unique. Any cast may

bring in a smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, or channel

catfish. Remarkably, all these species live in the Snake

River along with steelhead (ocean-run rainbow trout),

and huge white sturgeon, which can reach 10 feet

or more in length. Regulations require ”catch &

release“ fishing for wild steelhead and sturgeon.

Wildlife includes Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep,

mountain goat, mule deer, elk, cougar, black bear,

beaver, otter, and more. Songbirds, owls, hawks,

eagles, chukar partridge, and forest grouse dot the

ecosystem.

Hells Canyon is one of the most rugged roadless

areas in the U.S. Our only contacts during the trip

are hikers, horsemen, and other river parties, including

jetboats. The Snake/Hells Canyon is protected by

Congress as a “Wild & Scenic River,” and is inside the

spectacular Hells Canyon National Recreation Area,

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

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TThe crystal clear Middle Fork is Idaho‘s most

famous wilderness, white water, and mountain river.

From the put-in at Boundary Creek (elevation 5,700

ft.) to the take-out at Cache Bar, 100 miles

downstream, the Middle Fork descends 2,700 feet.

We float through dense forests, along sage and

mountain mahogany covered hillsides, and finally

between the sheer granite cliffs of Impassable Canyon.

There are plenty of rapids. Velvet Falls, Powerhouse,

Pistol Creek, Tappan Falls, Haystack, Porcupine,

Redside, Rubber, Hancock, and many more make the

Middle Fork a first-class white water run. At the put-

in, the river is small, steep, rocky, and tricky. Tributaries

gradually quadruple the Middle Fork’s volume. As

the stream transforms into a major river, quiet pools

and calm stretches alternate with the rapids. The last

day, the Middle Fork‘s full force is focused into the

white water of Impassable Canyon.

Fishing is excellent. The Middle Fork is a ”blue

ribbon“ Westslope Cutthroat trout fishery, and a

spectacular dry fly fishing stream. Regulations are

”catch & release“ with single, barbless hooks.

(Fishermen can arrange fishing boats with 2

fishermen/boat & guide service. Check for rates and

details.)

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5 or 6 DAY EXPEDITION5 Days/4 Nights or 6 Days/5 Nights. 75 or 100 River Miles. Meet in

the picturesque mountain town of Stanley, Idaho, the evening before

the trip. Depending on water and road conditions, put-in is either

Boundary Cr. (100 river miles) or Indian Cr. Airfield (75 river miles).

We provide van transportation for trips beginning at Boundary Cr.

For other trips, we fly to the river with bush pilots the morning of

the first day. Cost of these flights, when required, is not included in

the price of your trip. (See schedule for flight cost.) We provide van

transportation back to Stanley from the Cache Bar take-out.

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The area offers an incredible variety of wildlife,

including Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep,

mountain goat, mule deer, elk, cougar, black

bear, otter, coyote, osprey, eagle, forest grouse,

chukar partridge, and kingfisher.

We stop to enjoy hot springs and to investigate

Sheepeater Indian (Mountain Shoshoni)

pictographs, hunting blinds, and tepee rings.

Camps are beautiful. You can plan a morning or

evening hike directly from camp. Other highlights

include visits to the White Goat Mine, "Set

Trigger" Purcell's grave, Rattlesnake Cave,

Waterfall Creek, Cathedral Cave, and the cabins

and ladders of "the hermit of Impassable

Canyon" – Earl Parrott.

The Middle Fork was protected by Congress

in 1968 as one of the original National Wild

Rivers. We float inside the Salmon–Challis

National Forest and the huge Frank

Church–”River of No Return“ Wilderness (the

largest mountain wilderness in the continental

U.S. – 2.361 million acres).

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Enjoy long summer days, warm swimming water,

the largest pure white sand bar camps in the West,

roller coaster rapids, and wonderful canyonlands.

Grass covered mountains alternate with volcanic cliffs

that rise from the river's edge. Ponderosa pines accent

the landscape. A scenic highlight on the last day is

the graceful confluence of the Salmon and Snake

rivers.

The ”River of No Return“ drifts through quiet pools

and surges into churning white water. The Salmon

Canyon is an ideal place to enjoy paddle rafts and

inflatable kayaks. Green, Cougar, Snow Hole, and

Blue canyons offer many of the Salmon’s best rapids,

including Demons Drop, Pine Bar, Bodacious Bounce,

Half & Half, Snow Hole, China, Zig Zag, Slide,

Sluicebox, Checkerboard, Eye of the Needle, and

more.

Camping on the Salmon’s huge sand beaches is

unforgettable. As the largest undammed river in the

lower 48 states, the Salmon provides a unique

opportunity to enjoy pristine sand bars and natural

riparian areas. The camps are perfect for swimming,

frisbee, volleyball, or making a sand castle.

Many species of cold and warm water fish live in

the Salmon River, including rainbow trout, smallmouth

bass, catfish, white sturgeon, steelhead, and salmon.

Summer trips offer fly and spin casting for bass and

trout, and "catch & release" fishing for white

sturgeon.

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The backcountry history of the Salmon Canyon is

intriguing. The Nez Perce War touched this region,

and stories of the Billy Creek Crossing and the Battle

of White Bird are remarkable chapters of Salmon

River history. We stop to inspect Chinese rock houses,

abandoned mines, and Indian pictograph sites.

The Salmon Canyon provides habitat to a wide

variety of wildlife. The area's birds include canyon

wren, water ouzel, kingfisher, chukar partridge,

Canada geese, merganser, heron, and many more.

These canyons feature one of the world's highest

concentrations of raptors. Golden eagle, red-tailed

hawk, northern harrier, American kestrel, nighthawk,

and osprey all frequent the Canyon. You can hear

coyotes howl and spot beaver, otter, or mink. Mule

deer and white-tailed deer are often seen during the

summer. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, elk, cougar,

and bobcat are common but rarely spotted.

The Salmon River Canyon winds through lonely

Natural Resource Lands managed by the Cottonwood

Resource Area of the Bureau of Land Management.

4 or 5 DAY EXPEDITION4 Days/3 Nights or 5 Days/4 Nights. 62 or 73 River Miles (the final

20 miles are on the Snake River). Meet in Lewiston, Idaho, the

evening before your trip. We provide round trip transportation to

the river and back.

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The Wallowa and Grande Ronde are two of Oregon’s

most beautiful backcountry streams. Rugged canyon

walls of basalt rise to 4,000 feet above river level.

Dense forest alternates with lush grassland.

The rivers race past rocks and boulders in swift Class

II-III white water. Minam Roller, Redrock Rapids, Blind

Falls, Sheep Creek, and Martin’s Misery are great fun

in inflatable kayaks, paddle rafts, and oar rafts.

Grassy camps with towering Ponderosa Pine and

Douglas Fir are among the best in the West. Tributary

streams tumble into the main river at Sheep, Clear,

Meadow, Alder, Bear, Elbow, Grossman, Sickfoot, Cabin,

and Wildcat Creeks.

Rainbow trout and steelhead fishing are available

“in season”. Serious fishermen can arrange McKenzie

drift boats. Check for drift boat rates & fishing

information. The area also provides habitat for elk,

mule deer, white-tailed deer, Rocky Mountain bighorn

sheep, waterfowl, golden eagle, bald eagle and osprey.

The Grande Ronde is designated by Congress as a

Wild & Scenic River, and the Wallowa and Grande

Ronde are protected as Oregon Scenic Waterways.

The rivers are co-managed by the Bureau of Land

Management, Vale District, and the Umatilla National

Forest.

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3 DAY EXPEDITION3 Days/2 Nights. 38 River Miles (10 miles on Wallowa, 28 miles on

Grande Ronde). Put-in is Minam, Oregon, and take-out is Powwatka

Bridge. We provide round trip van service from Lewiston, Idaho.

Groups can meet us in Minam, and have cars shuttled to take-out.

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HUGHES RIVER EXPEDITIONS , Inc. offers asuperb selection of quality river equipment. Wedo our best to match the boats to your particularinterests. Let us know your preferences. Guestsoften plan to rotate between the various typesof craft during the trip. All oar rafts, paddle rafts,and inflatable kayaks are self-bailing.

OAR RAFTSThe traditional craft, comfortable and exciting to ride, a fine fishing platform,controlled by your guide. 15-17 foot oar rafts are available.

PADDLE RAFTSParticipate in all the action! Your guide captains the paddle team and explainsthe route through each rapid.

INFLATABLE KAYAKSSolo or tandem boats used for selected portions of a trip. Great fun!

FISHING BOATSSmall oar rafts or McKenzie drift boats depending on your choice of river andwater conditions. Two fishermen/boat and guide. Rods, reels, and tackleprovided. Check for rates and details.

SUPPLY PONTOONSCustom-designed pontoons carry the camp gear, duffle, and extra ice chests.Supply pontoons allow us to offer guest boats that are comfortable, uncluttered,and especially maneuverable. Each day the supply boatman floats ahead toprepare the evening’s camp. When you arrive, your duffle is unloaded intocamp, the tents are pitched, and the kitchen is organized.

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OWYHEE & BRUNEAU CANYONLANDS4 to 7 Day Trips on the Owyhee and Bruneau Rivers. Bruneauand Owyhee trips are outfitted by Associate Outfitter, BarkerRiver Expeditions. Barker River Expeditions is a permittee ofVale and Boise Districts of the BLM. Check with our officefor details, or contact Jon Barker at 208-836-5551.

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Yel lowstone Nat iona l ParkTeton Nat iona l Park

Craters of the Moon NationalMonument

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State Boundar iesR iversS t re tches o f r i ve r desc r ibed inbrochure.

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Hughes River Expeditions isowned and operated by Jerry Hughes & Carole Finley

Licensed & Bonded Outfitters & Guides

Members of:Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association

Outfitter/Guide Permittees of:Salmon-Challis National ForestCottonwood Resource Area, BLMUmatilla National ForestBaker Resource Area, BLM

Outfitter/Guide Authorization from:Hells Canyon National Recreation AreaWallowa-Whitman National Forest

Hughes River Expeditions, Inc.P.O. Box 217Cambridge, Idaho 83610(208) 257-3477800-262-1882info@hughesriver.comwww.hughesriver.comwww.snakerafting.com

Brochure Design: Temel, Inc.

Photo Credits:Steve Bly, Chad Case, Glenn Oakley,Phil Schofield