Idaho Wilderness Rivers

We turn east on Idaho Hwy 12 which first follows up the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River and then up the Lochsa River (Lochsa is the Nez Perce word meaning "rough water") following the route taken by the Lewis and Clarke Expedition in 1805.

Starting up the Clearwater River

Rafters on the Lochsa River

We are surprised to see river rafters on this river as it's usually too low to run in later in summer when we've been here before.  With the Lochsa swollen from this last winter's heavy rains and melting snows, these rafters will be in for an exciting ride this spring.
Our destination this evening is the Wilderness Gateway Campground along the Lochsa. Even though it's a Saturday, we roll into camp about mid afternoon and find a nice campsite.  The camp is full of weekend river runners.

Crossing over the Lochsa to Wilderness Gateway

Girl in camp on pogo stick

River runner camp

Several nice hiking trails lead off from the campground and we are able to hike both in the evening and the next morning on different trails. New spring life is bursting all around us.
After our morning hike, we pack up and drive further east on Hwy 12 to the Weir Creek Tailhead parking lot. We are on the hunt for the Weir Creek Hot Springs, which is supposed to be a short hike up the trail. The parking area is full of Swallowtail Butterflies.  They are huddled around small pools of water.

More rafters on the Lochsa

Weir Creek Trailhead

Swallowtail Butterflies in parking lot

View of Weir Creek from trail

Ahh - Weir Creek Hot Springs

After the hike we stop in the tiny town of Lowell, which appears to be steadily losing population. We then drive up Selway Road looking for a campground for the night. The Selway River is famed to be one of the most challenging rivers to run in the United States.  It's hard to see how it gets this reputation as it looks pretty tame at the confluence with the Lochsa. Oddly, despite several rafting companies advertising they run trips on the Selway, we aren't seeing any rafts or kayaks coming down the river.

Lowell Idaho

Wild turkey mounted on restaurant wall

Confluence of the Selway and Lochsa

After checking several campgrounds, we settle into a nice spacious spot at O'Hara Bar Campground right along the banks of the Selway. Being a Sunday afternoon, most of the people have already left  so we are thrilled to have the campground to mostly to ourselves.

What a gorgeous spot

River view from camper

Kicking back in the camper

Small beach at our campsite

Large cedar trees along the river

After a restful night's sleep, we continue up Selway Road to the Falls. Here the canyon narrows forcing the river down a steep rocky drop.  Now we see why there aren't any river runners. The hydraulics coming over the falls is impressive. Anyone would be risking live and limb trying to run these falls.

Above the falls, the Selway forms a classic tongue entering the rapid.

Below, the falls turns into a boiling cauldron of white water, massive rocks and log jams.

A faded wreath of flowers arranged in a heart shape, marks the spot where a river runner met his/her fate attempting to run the falls.  The question in my mind is how the wreath got there. It would have been no easy feat to place the wreath on this rock.





Nope, I wouldn't be caught dead trying to run Selway Falls in flood and the lack of people on this river attests to the fact no one else is willing to either. We've had fun poking around these rivers, but it's time to hit the road and start making progress towards home.