From wildlife to wildfires, 10 memorable moments from rafting the Snake River in Idaho

Guide Jake Bredeson makes his way through Hells Canyon while rafting the Snake River in Idaho. Pam LeBlanc photo

I popped off a five-day rafting trip through Hells Canyon on the Snake River in Idaho last week with sand between my toes, a little poison ivy rash on my knees, and a duffle bag full of damp clothes.

How’d it stack up to other rafting trips? Nothing compares to the two weeks I spent on a self-guided trip with friends down the Grand Canyon two years ago. But my trip with ROW Adventures delivered spectacular wildlife encounters, gorgeous scenery and glorious camping.

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Here are 10 of the most memorable moments:

A wild microburst while rafting the Snake River

Normally intense storms wouldn’t make my hit parade on a camping trip. But the 10-minute wind tempest that blew down half our tents and surprised a fellow camper who happened to be in the toilet tent that first night helped our band of merry revelers bond.

Overgrown kids

The 13 guests on our trip included seven men from Philadelphia, now in their mid-60s, who had known each other since childhood. They poked fun at each other, told stories, sang songs, and bickered like kids. I felt like I’d time traveled back to seventh grade, in a good way.

That one rapid

Water flows were just high enough for us to hit the Green Room, a section of Class 4 Granite Rapids that’s runnable only at specific flow levels. Straight up, straight down, a wall of green, a moment of terror and bliss.

A black bear walks along the Snake River in Idaho. Pam LeBlanc photo

A curious bear

One day, a black bear followed us from shore as we floated downstream. That was cool for about ten minutes, until he eased into the river and started to swim after us. That’s when we skedaddled.

The history

Each day we hiked to a historic old ranch or the ruins of places where indigenous people or miners once lived. But it was the visit to the site of the Chinese Massacre of 1887 that stuck with me. A gang of local men and boys killed 34 Chinese miners and fled with their gold. No one was punished for the crime.

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That one hike

I was nervous about hiking to Suicide Point, high above the river, because I’m afraid of heights. But a fellow guest encouraged me, and I followed her to the highpoint, where we looked down at a bend in the river like the Grinch looking down on Who-ville. (But without the mean streak.)

Inflatable kayaks

Each day we could help paddle a big rubber raft, ride on the front of a boat rowed by a guide, or grab one of the inflatable kayaks to play in the smaller rapids on our own. Steering into those waves on the kayak felt like riding a bucking horse down an undulating ribbon of green while someone threw buckets of ice water in my face. Yeehaw!

A wildfire fighting helicopter fills its tank from the Snake River in Idaho. Pam LeBlanc photo

Nearby wildfires

Parts of Idaho and Oregon were ablaze during my rafting trip, which made for some hazy days. One afternoon several helicopters dropped down to the river near our camp to fill their tanks with water to fight the fires. They were so close they blasted us with wind and water spray.

Easy camping

There’s nothing like arriving in camp each afternoon to find camp – including all our tents and the dining area – already set up.

The toilet tent was situated to take in an incredible view. Pam LeBlanc photo

A loo with a view

Why just poop in the wilderness when you can contemplate the beauty of nature while you do your business? Each night, the crew set up our small portable toilet so we could take in an incredible view.