Salmon River 5-Day River Trip Information Packet
Booking Information
- After submitting a booking request, we will call you as soon as possible (usually within 24-48 hours) to collect information about you and your group, learn about trip intentions and goals, and answer any questions you may have.
- We will send an email with:
- An invoice with the total amount due for the trip.
- Liability forms that need to be forwarded to guests on the trip. These are required before any client can participate in a trip. Sign these online.
- All licenses should be purchased and information included in the liability forms.
- Trip specific information, including location, meet time, maps, etc.
- After a 50% deposit is paid for the trip, or the full amount for trips less than 30 days out, we will assign a guide and block off your requested trip date.
- After 30 days, the remaining amount on the invoice and liability forms are due.
Travelling and Staying in Moscow
Your trip will be based out of Moscow, Idaho, and our guests usually stay at the Best Western University Inn. We will typically have our shuttle pick you up at the Hotel on the first morning of the trip and then drive you to the Salmon River launch site. On the last day of your trip you will be dropped back off at the University Inn.
ACCOMMODATIONS IN MOSCOW, IDAHO*:
To reach the University Inn please call 800 325 8765 or online at http://uinnmoscow.com.
The University Inn has Standard non-smoking rooms that accommodate 1 to 4 people. The hotel offers guests complimentary airport transportation, vehicle and luggage storage. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and recreation center, full service dining at The Pantry, The Broiler, and the Quiet Bar. The hotel is located within walking distance of several other eating establishments, the Palouse Shopping Mall, the University of Idaho, and charming downtown Moscow. The University Inn is located at 1516 Pullman Road, Moscow Idaho.
YOUR LUGGAGE AND VALUABLES: We recommend that you check your luggage into the Hotel storage room. The Hotel can also provide storage in a safe for your valuables.
YOUR CAR: The Hotel provides parking for all of its guests. At our pre-trip meeting we will provide you with a parking pass to display in your windshield while you are on the river.
WATERPROOF BAGS: You will receive one dry bag for your clothes and personal gear, a second dry bag for your sleeping gear, and a small bag and Tupperware container for breakable items that you will use during the day. We provide a "sleep kit " and tents, we will bring it pre-packed to the river on the morning of your put-in. During the meeting we will go over the fine points of packing the dry bags with you. Generally we recommend that only unbreakable objects be packed in the large dry bags, as they are tied down into rafts. Delicate items and those, which you may want access during the day should be stored in the day bag and Tupperware container.
WE WILL HAVE A PRE TRIP MEETING at 7:00 PM the night before your launch date at White Pine Outfitters. We will have a relaxed discussion about organizing your trip gear, confirming trip information, and we will answer any final questions you may have. You will receive your waterproof dry bags so you can pack that evening for the river.
Prepare and Pack for Your Trip - Salmon River Canyons
Trip Provisions
ALL TRIP PROVISIONS
For all trips, White Pine provides the following to each guest:
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ADDITIONAL MULTIDAY TRIP PROVISIONS
On multiday trips, White Pine provides the following to each guest:
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ADDITIONAL FISHING TRIP PROVISIONS
On fishing specific trips trips, White Pine provides the following:
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Preparing for your Trip
LIABILITY WAIVER
Due to the potential risks of the outdoors, everyone is required to sign a standard liability release form sent in a confirmation at least thirty days before the start of your trip, acknowledging awareness of and acceptance of the risks associated with the trip you have selected. The guides and White Pine Outfitters will attempt to meet all schedules, but assume no responsibility for inconvenience or expense due to delays or changes.
HEALTH AND AGE You should be reasonably healthy because river trips require a certain amount of physical exertion. We suggest a minimum age appropriate for each of our specific trips. There is no upper age limit. Pregnant women and individuals with heart trouble should get physician approval before embarking on any river trip. Persons with handicaps and challenges are welcome on our trips, we will need to talk with you to be sure we can meet your special requirements and needs for safety.
RECOMMENDED CLOTHING (AVOID COTTON)
Cool weather can occur on any trip regardless of the time of year, it can be quite chilly when it's overcast, breezy, or raining, even in August. The right clothing can make your river trip comfortable even in unfavorable weather. Clothing on a river trip must have the ability to keep you warm even if it gets wet. Synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene, capilene, Synchilla, and polyester pile will keep you warm when wet and will dry quickly. Wool will keep you warm when wet, but takes longer to dry. Cotton does not keep you warm when it is wet, but it can keep you cool when it’s hot. Warm and sunny weather is more likely to occur on a summer trip down the Salmon River, cold and rainy weather will be more likely in the fall and winter.
FISHING & HUNTING LICENSES
If you plan on fishing you will need to purchase an IDAHO fishing license.
If fishing for steelhead, purchase an additional IDAHO steelhead/salmon permit.
If trip is a Cast and Blast, purchase an additional IDAHO hunting license and upland game bird permit.
Purchase these licenses online at the Idaho Fish and Game website and printing a copy or you can get one at Tri-State Distributor's in Moscow before your trip and include license numbers in the liability form.
BEVERAGES
Dehydration is always a concern on a river trip, thus we encourage you to drink lots of water and we ask that you bring two unbreakable water bottles that hold a minimum of one quart each. Juice and coffee will always be available at breakfast and tea (black & herbal), and hot chocolate will be available at camp in the mornings and evenings. Gatorade mix and water will be available at all meals (including lunch) and whenever we are at camp. White Pine Outfitters provides limited amounts of beer and soda (approximately 2 cans per person per day). You may bring as much additional beer and soda as you want, but we do request that you buy these in aluminum cans. White Pine Outfitters also provides a modest amount of wine to have with dinners. If you wish to bring your own favorite wines or if you want to bring hard liquor you are welcome to do so. We will provide a safe place to store these glass containers. A liquor store is located in Moscow close to the hotel and is open Monday - Saturday (Closed Sundays). Wine and beer can be purchased in any grocery store (Winco is located next to the hotel and is open 24 hours a day).
PACK LIST
RIVER CLOTHES & GEAR |
CAMP CLOTHES & GEAR |
SUMMER
WINTER
PERSONAL DOG
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MULTI-DAY TRIPS
OPTIONAL GEAR
FISHING GEAR
HUNTING GEAR
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*We recommend that you separate any important medication into 2 containers and allow us to carry 1 container in our well-protected First Aid Kit. We will need to know of any health concerns you have prior to the beginning of your trip, so we can be prepared.
GRATUITY
Our guides work very hard to provide a great trip for you. At your discretion, a tip (20%) may be left with your trip leader and will be appreciated by all of your crew.
RESPONSIBILITY
White Pine Outfitters acts only in the capacity of agents for the participants in all matters relating to transportation/accommodation/and other related travel services, and assume no responsibility however caused for injury, delay, loss, or damage to person or property in connection with any service, including but not limited to that resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, theft, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, government restriction or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit over which they have no control. Prices and dates subject to change without notice. If, as occasionally happens, we must cancel a trip because there are too few participants, we will attempt to notify you as soon as possible and suggest that you transfer to another trip. Reasonable changes in itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of participants, including cancellations due to water fluctuations, insufficient bookings, and other factors.
Itinerary - 5-Day Salmon River Trip
Itinerary
Each day on the river, plan to float 5-20 miles.
Evening before your trip
- Meet the lead guide at White Pine Outfitters in downtown Moscow, ID for a pre-trip meeting (between 6 and 7 pm).
- Dry bags will be distributed and last-minute questions you may have will be answered.
- Pack your bags for the morning, for more info, check out our pack list for the Lower Salmon.
Day 1
- Eat breakfast at Hotel Restaurant
- Leave the Hotel at 8:15am for the shuttle drive to Hammer Creek put-in.
(Approximate driving time 2.5 - 3 hours)
- Stop in Cottonwood or Grangeville, Idaho on the way for last minute purchases
- Arrive at put-in, meet the crew, get fitted with lifejacket, and listen to safety talks
- Trip launches and we have lunch on the river
Approximate miles on the river: 2-8 on Day One
- Arrive at our first nights camp and enjoy a great dinner prepared by the crew
Days 2 through 4
- Warm breakfast in camp
- Pack-up camp
- A day of fun on the river (lunch on the river)
- Approximate miles on the river: 12-16 each day
- Arrive at camp, set up for the evening, more fun and great food…
Day 5
- Breakfast in Camp
- Early Start in Blue Canyon
- Lunch on the Snake River
- Approximate miles on the river: 16-19 on day five
- Arrive at Heller Bar take-out 3:00 - 4:00pm
- Return by shuttle van to Hotel (Approx. 1.5 hour drive)
Cancellation Policy
Day Trip Cancellations
Final payment is due 30 days before the date or your trip.
Reservations made 30 days or less before selected date required the full payment at time of booking to confirm your date.
All deposits are non-refundable.
If the trip is cancelled within 30 days of your date, you must pay for your trip.
Day Trip Reschedule
If you need to reschedule your trip, please contact White Pine Outfitters by phone (208-883-3900) or email (info@whitepine-outfitters.com) as soon as possible to ensure a date is available.
White Pine Outfitters may assess a $150 fee for rescheduling.
Any cancellations made less than 30 days of your scheduled arrival, or you do not show on the day of your trip will result in forfeiture of the full payment.
Multi-Day Trip Cancellations
If you find it necessary to cancel your trip please notify us as soon as possible. All deposits are non-refundable. If you cancel your trip more than 120 days prior to your departure date we will retain your deposit and credit it toward a future trip with White Pine Outfitters. If you cancel 120 day or less but more than 60 days prior to your launch date you must pay 50% of the trip price. If you cancel within 60 days of your trip departure, you must pay the full trip price. This cancellation policy applies per person. We regret we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies. Because of this, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and travel insurance (see Travel Insurance).
Travel Insurance / Life Flight Insurance
Your pre-trip package will provide more information on the rigors of the trip you have chosen. Even though we make every effort to insure a safe trip for everyone, we strongly recommend that you protect yourself, your belongings, and your vacation by purchasing a traveler’s insurance policy. Should you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to illness or injury, a trip cancellation policy will cover your non-refundable payments in most cases. If you become ill or injured while on a river trip, evacuation may be prolonged, difficult and expensive. Many trip insurance policies cover such events. If you choose not to purchase travel insurance you will be asked to sign a waiver. Baggage and cameras are carried entirely at the owner’s risk, and White Pine Outfitters Inc. accepts no responsibility for lost, damaged, or delayed property. We recommend TRAVELEX.