Rigging for the trip at Minam on the Wollawa river.
This is about 10 miles above the confluence with the Grande Ronde.
Group picture before launching. We launched about noon.
View upstream shortly after launch.
View downstream shortly after launch
Casey and Brogan.2
The others catching up.2
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Casey and Brogan enjoying the ride. Brogan was feeding butterflies on his hand.
Brogan's butterfly collection2
Brodan, Casey, and butterflies.2
Mike got one to pose for a closeup.2
A butterfly landed in my wrist as well.
Verification photo. I really was on this trip.2
Our first camp was 24 miles from the launch at RM 66.8 on the downstream end of an island with plenty of shade trees.
Mike and Casey posing in matching hoodies.2
Mike found a small Sandpiper nest hidden on the ground.2
I set my cot up in the shade to stretch out on.
Kitchen is all set up and ready for business.
Brewing coffee first thing in the morning.
Our second camp was at RM 57.5. We chased off a small brown bear that was wandering toward the camp.
Ready to launch at 10 AM for another day on the river.
Out on the river again. We plan a short day today.2
Mike rode along with me in my boat.
Mike gave me a break on the oars while I made a sandwich.
Some of the scenery as we drifted the river. Some of the wildlife we saw today included goats, elk, beaver, Bald and Golden eagles, and Osprey.
Basalt formation along the canyon wall.2
Third camp was less than ideal; the camp we wanted was already occupied.2
Relaxing as it cooled down around sunset.
The weather was clear and warm, so I just used my cot most of the trip.
The morning sun is about to rise behind the hills at 7 am.
Camp kitchen as seen from where I had my cot set up.
Sitting around after breakfast.
We stopped at Boggan's Oasis.
The bridge just downstream of where we stopped.
Boggan's Oasis is a large river access and camp.
More of the river access and camp.
The Boggan's Oasis eatery. Casey bought us all milkshakes.
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On the river again at 9:45.
One of the smaller river accesses along the way.
A black bear swam across the river then posed for us.2
He finally stood up.2
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Our last camp was at RM 11. We arrived at 14:30 today.
This was the only night I set up my tent. I had to justify bringing it along.
Loaded and ready to launch again. Overcast and looking like rain.
A flock of Pelicans took flight as we driften near.
Casey and Brogan again.2
This part of the river went through privately owned land. This looked like a small vinyard on the side of the hill.2
It was cloudy and cooler today.2
Yours Truly again. I had put my splash jacket on for the first time today.
It never did rain more than a few drops, but it was a lot cooler.2
"The Narrows" rapid, about 2 miles above the confluence with the Snake River.2
We took out at the Heller Bar access on the Snake river, just downstream from the confluence of the Grande Ronde.
Derigging and loading gear at Heller Bar.
We rolled boats on Casey's trailer.
There was a mulberry tree at Heller's bar. This is the first time I ever saw one.
A bench was set up in the shade of the tree.
Plenty of berries seen from sitting on the bench.
They looked a lot like blackberries, but no thorns!
The berries were ripe and tasty!
