Idaho unit 18 (Hell?s Canyon)

Browntrout55

New Member
Feb 8, 2019
23
28
Priest River Idaho
Tim. From what I have researched so far I would probably put in just below the dam. Not sure about the take out yet. Just ordered a river map book for the Snake. Also, regular season permits run unti sept 10. After that it’s just pay at the launch from what I can tell. I would like to go around the 15th anyway.
 

Micah S

Active Member
Jan 11, 2016
377
771
Sandy Oregon
If you're not a experienced rafter with a large raft don't do this float. The Rapids are huge and a lot of very experienced rafters have died in this section of the river.
 

87TT

Very Active Member
Apr 23, 2013
593
1,052
Idaho
Since I don't know anything about rafting, I won't comment on that. I've only seen the view from the lower (Hells Canyon) dam and it looks steep, rugged and AWESOME!
Mountain goat below the dam
 

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Micah S

Active Member
Jan 11, 2016
377
771
Sandy Oregon
The snake has 4 times the amount of water and has class 5 Rapids. I've been on the snake in that section when a jet boat with two 454 engine can't make it through the rapids.
 

87TT

Very Active Member
Apr 23, 2013
593
1,052
Idaho
Just a thought. Maybe take a "practice" run before you load all your gear.


And stay in the boat!

IMG_0262 Stay in the boat!.jpg


These guys were experienced rafters and this was on the Lochsa River. I know the Deschutes can be rough but they don't call it Hells Canyon for nothing.
 
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BAKPAKR

Active Member
May 10, 2018
195
122
I have been upstream to just below Granite Creek Rapids in a jetboat. There are long stretches of river that I would do in a duckie. Then, there are sections where you would never catch me in any sort of raft, even with a guide. But, I am sort of a chicken.

There are lots of YouTube videos of many of the rapids.
 

tim

Veteran member
Jun 4, 2011
2,417
1,066
north idaho
A couple of pics
the drift boat is what you don't want to do.

The snake river below the dam is not a beginner multi day whitewater run. the rapid in the pics is six miles below the dam. it is a solid class iv rapid. anything can be portaged when sitting at home. on the river it is a different thing.
The snake being a mulit day trip has its own rules and regulations wether it is permit season or not. You need to find out about them. ie firepan, groover(for taking you feces out with you), ect. whitewater equipment is its own thing. Very specialized. Do your research on this one. Go to youtube and googgle wild sheep rapid, granite rapid. The snake is also dam controlled and the water level does fluctuate daily.

What type of craft are you thinking of using on this trip: cat, raft, drift boat, kayak, inflatable kayak, jet boat?
I ran a 16 foot whitewater raft thru there and did not feel overgunned.

the three pics of the grey raft is me and my wife going thru wild sheep rapid.
 

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