We have just returned from the deserts of southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. It is always an amazing experience to explore these narrow cracks in the Snake River Plain. We did one trip on the Upper Owyhee, one Middle Owyhee, and a Jarbidge/Bruneau. All three were truly spectacular journeys through a cross-section of an ancient caldera volcano. The Owyhee Canyonlands in one of the most remote areas in the lower 48. Total on all three trips, we only saw one other rafting trip in the three week period.
The remote area, hard to predict spring run-off, challenging white-water, and fluctuating weather of the Owyhee River all combined for epic adventures. The two kayakers, Owyhee enthusiast Marcy St. John, and the guides involved will certainly have stories to tell from the Upper trip. We dealt with just about every kind a weather condition out there, portaging, challenging technical white-water, and low water. With that being said we shared great company and had a memorable time in this remote desert canyon that very few people ever get to see. There was great canyon hiking, brillant displays of birds of prey, good food, and Marcy even found a California Big Horn Ram winter kill (a real treasure of a find). The night before we planned to exit the canyon at Garret Crossing the desert skies put down over an inch a rain. That kind of rain in the Owyhee desert makes for sloppy 4WD conditions. With all four tires chained up and some skilled driving we were able to make it out of the Canyon with all of our gear as planned.
With more rain, the put in for the Middle Owyhee also proved be another 4WD challenge. For this section we were join by three more rafters and one more kayaker. With more water now the white-water excitement picked up, the weather improved, and with wild flowers in full bloom, a variety of bird life, and impressive Indian artifacts this Middle Owyhee trip in Oregon was fantastic.
After the Middle it was a quick turn around for the Jarbidge Bruneau trip. We had long time WRO guest Bill Bush doing a row your own, along with his son Beau also in his own boat. This proved quickly to be exciting for everyone involved. With each of these two in their own boat and two guides with their own boats made for a unique trip. With the Jarbidge section of the trip being fast water the whole way with substantial rapids scattered throughout the whole trip made for good excitement. It was a great trip for practicing river rescue and river safety. All in all though these two texas boys did pretty well in the Idaho desert.
The Owyhee and Jarbidge/Bruneau Rivers have proven to be some of my favorite places I have ever been. Truly special places that few people are fortunate enough to ever see. After returning from guiding trips in these areas always leaves me feeling pretty lucky. Also I am reminded of how when traveling in these areas there will always be adventure, just accessing these rivers can be an adventure in its self. You can always have plan A, but sometime you can quickly find yourself at plan B, C, or sometimes even D when your out there in the desert paradise of Southern Idaho and eastern Oregon.
Seth Tonsmeire
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