Clearwater River and Hell’s Canyon
The Sea Lion reached the easternmost port of our journey this morning, at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, in Clarkston, Washington. Our company divided, and we set out to explore the two river valleys, each by a different mode of transportation. Some opted for the coach expedition of the Clearwater, led by local historian and guide, Lin Laughy, while others chose to explore the narrows of Hell’s Canyon by jetboat. The coach expedition stopped at many campsites used by Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery either in the autumn of 1805, on their westward journey, or in the spring of 1806, as they were headed home. With fall colors brightening the river banks, we imagined the Captains carving their dugouts at Canoe Camp, sitting in council at Broken Arm’s lodge next to Lawyer Creek or smoking with Twisted Hair while fishing from a small island in the middle of the Clearwater. After a delightful lunch in the small town of Kamiah, Idaho, local survival skills expert, Lee Hamilton, taught us how to make fire with just a metal flint, a sharp stone, a piece of char cloth and a bundle of dried moss, as well as how to braid cattail rushes into cordage.
Autumnal golds and reds colored the walls of Hell’s Canyon, while small herds of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep browsed beside the river. Those on the jetboats photographed these lambs and ewes, as well as a flock of wild turkeys, numerous great blue herons and local fishermen displaying their catch of Snake River steelhead. The patina of canyon varnish on the riverside rocks and the statuesque columns of basalt also drew these photographers’ eyes. A morning coffee stop at verdant Cache Creek and a tasty lunch at Heller Bar, rounded out our day.
We rejoined company at the Nez Perce National Historic Park in Lapwai, Idaho and viewed their fine exhibits. Returning to the Sea Lion for cocktails and dinner, we shared stories of our days with all of our new-found friends.
The Sea Lion reached the easternmost port of our journey this morning, at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, in Clarkston, Washington. Our company divided, and we set out to explore the two river valleys, each by a different mode of transportation. Some opted for the coach expedition of the Clearwater, led by local historian and guide, Lin Laughy, while others chose to explore the narrows of Hell’s Canyon by jetboat. The coach expedition stopped at many campsites used by Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery either in the autumn of 1805, on their westward journey, or in the spring of 1806, as they were headed home. With fall colors brightening the river banks, we imagined the Captains carving their dugouts at Canoe Camp, sitting in council at Broken Arm’s lodge next to Lawyer Creek or smoking with Twisted Hair while fishing from a small island in the middle of the Clearwater. After a delightful lunch in the small town of Kamiah, Idaho, local survival skills expert, Lee Hamilton, taught us how to make fire with just a metal flint, a sharp stone, a piece of char cloth and a bundle of dried moss, as well as how to braid cattail rushes into cordage.
Autumnal golds and reds colored the walls of Hell’s Canyon, while small herds of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep browsed beside the river. Those on the jetboats photographed these lambs and ewes, as well as a flock of wild turkeys, numerous great blue herons and local fishermen displaying their catch of Snake River steelhead. The patina of canyon varnish on the riverside rocks and the statuesque columns of basalt also drew these photographers’ eyes. A morning coffee stop at verdant Cache Creek and a tasty lunch at Heller Bar, rounded out our day.
We rejoined company at the Nez Perce National Historic Park in Lapwai, Idaho and viewed their fine exhibits. Returning to the Sea Lion for cocktails and dinner, we shared stories of our days with all of our new-found friends.
