September 1 - 6, 2010

Registration Deadline: August 1  (Note – this Trek often fills several weeks before the deadline.)

Trip Description: Early September is a perfect time for the roller coaster rapids of Idaho’s Salmon River. With its clear water and beautiful sandy beaches, it’s an ideal locale for you and your father to join together with fellow residents for awesome whitewater and fun camaraderie.

We’ll be traversing the gorges of the Lower Salmon River where the warm days are conducive to paddling and swimming in the large, splashy rapids.  Once in camp, a hard day’s play is rewarded with tasty guide-prepared meals, an evening campfire and sleeping under a clear, starry sky.  In sum, a perfect place to spend Labor Day weekend with old and newfound friends.

We will lodge in Clarkston, WA on September 1 and travel the next morning to our put-in near Whitebird on the Salmon. We’ll be on the river for 3 nights prior to reaching the Snake River.  At the confluence of the Salmon and Snake we will board a jet boat for a traverse of the lower end of Hell’s Canyon and be delivered to the dock of our Clarkston hotel on September 5.

Physical Activity: Paddling is good exercise and the days will be full of activity. Prior physical conditioning is not required because this trek does not require excessive physical exertion. If you have any questions about the level of fitness required, please do not hesitate to give Craig a call.

Logistics & Schedule: Participants have 3 transportation options for the trip: 

Option 1: Meet us in Port Townsend and drive to Clarkston, WA where we will lodge the night before our put-in.  For Option 1, we will be leaving GWR at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, September 1. On Monday September 6, we’ll return to Port Townsend arriving early in the evening.

Option 2: You’ll need to arrive at the Seattle Airport (SeaTac) by 10:00 AM on September 1 for the 10:30 AM meeting at the Alaska Airlines curbside passenger pick-up.  From here we will drive to Clarkston, approximately a 7-hour drive. You will be returned to SeaTac on Monday, September 6 in the late afternoon – please make your outgoing flight for anytime after 5:00 PM.

Option 3: You can fly directly to Lewiston, Idaho on September 1 and take a complimentary shuttle to our hotel (Quality Inn) across the river in Clarkston, Washington. On Sunday September 5, you can choose to catch an outgoing flight from Lewiston anytime after 8:00 PM or dine and lodge with the group in Clarkston and book a flight for Monday September 6.

Clothing & Equipment: There is a downloadable Equipment List on this web site that should answer your “what should I pack?” questions. If your questions remain unanswered, please feel free to call Craig or Chase at the number below. If you are departing from Port Townsend, please arrive the evening before, as we will issue gear before 5 PM on August 31 at the Trek Center.  For those meeting us in Seattle or Clarkston please fax or e-mail your equipment needs and we will pack the gear for you to gather in Clarkston on September 1 in the evening.   Note that we will be providing all sleeping gear and tents for all participants.

Travel Arrangements: If you need assistance with flights or ground transportation Jean’s House of Travel of Port Townsend can help: (800) 895-2688 or (360) 385-6250.

Cost: $1,300 per person includes food (September 1 dinner through September 5 dinner); camping and boating equipment; lodging (2 nights) in Clarkston; and ground transportation from Port Townsend or Seattle and return.

Deposit: 50% tuition is due with the registration form ($650).
 
Tuition in full is required 30 days in advance of the start date of the Trek

Lodging: You can contact the Port Townsend Visitor Information Center at 888-ENJOYPT or www.ptguide.com for PT lodging.

Trek Risks: As is always the case with outdoor adventures, there will be inherent risks associated with the trip’s activities. These risks cannot be eliminated without destroying the fundamental qualities of the activities. You will be assuming all risks if you choose to participate. Also, you should verify with your family physician or other health care provider that you will be able to participate in this trek without putting your health at risk.  You will be required to sign a risk information and release form for both GWR and our river outfitter, Ouzel Outfitters.

To Register: You must register by completing a Registration form, a Medical History form, and a Release and Indemnification form (all available as Adobe Acrobat PDF files in the Trek section of www.graywolfranch.com) and mailing the forms together with your deposit to GWR by the August 1 registration deadline. You may also call Craig at the Trek Center to request a registration packet by mail. As noted in the “Registration, Payment and Refund Procedures” form the balance of the trip cost is due a minimum of 30 days before the trek start date. Credit card payment can be made over the phone with Hal in the Business Office at 800 571-5505.  You will receive confirmation of your registration soon after we receive your materials. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.

Note: Ouzel Outfitters requires you to complete a 2 page Registration and Release form that is available on the GWR website with the other information for this Trek.

Maximum group size: 18, including GWR staff.

Questions: Call any time and ask for Craig Isenberg. 800-571-5505

We look forward to seeing you on the river!