Clarkston, Washington - Snake River and Clearwater River
This morning dawned crisp and clear as we docked in Clarkston, Washington. Today we chose between two outings. Half of us followed in the steps of Lewis and Clark as they traveled and camped among the Nez Perce Indians 200 years ago along the Clearwater River . Meanwhile, the rest of us diverged from Lewis and Clark’s route and continued up the Snake River by jetboat into Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area.
With Lin Laughy as our guide, history came alive. We visited sites along the Clearwater River and stood in the places where the Corps of Discovery had walked. At treaty council camp we could picture the meeting that took place between the Corps and the Nez Perce. Another highlight of the day was learning the primitive skills of rope making and fire starting.
On the Snake River, the lighting, geology and fall colors were spectacular as we cruised along by jetboat. Fishermen plied the waters with their lines hoping to catch some steelhead trout. Our day was a contrast of peaceful views of the river and the excitement of speeding through rapids in a 40 foot metal boat. We sighted many big horn sheep, mule deer, geese, great blue herons and ducks. At the upper reaches of the Snake River we got a taste of what these mighty rivers were like in their pre-dam states. Our jetboat captain, Dan, skillfully navigated the rapids, including the class III Imnaha Rapid with ease.
Tomorrow we will be heading back down river, but not without a new appreciation of Nez Perce country.
This morning dawned crisp and clear as we docked in Clarkston, Washington. Today we chose between two outings. Half of us followed in the steps of Lewis and Clark as they traveled and camped among the Nez Perce Indians 200 years ago along the Clearwater River . Meanwhile, the rest of us diverged from Lewis and Clark’s route and continued up the Snake River by jetboat into Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area.
With Lin Laughy as our guide, history came alive. We visited sites along the Clearwater River and stood in the places where the Corps of Discovery had walked. At treaty council camp we could picture the meeting that took place between the Corps and the Nez Perce. Another highlight of the day was learning the primitive skills of rope making and fire starting.
On the Snake River, the lighting, geology and fall colors were spectacular as we cruised along by jetboat. Fishermen plied the waters with their lines hoping to catch some steelhead trout. Our day was a contrast of peaceful views of the river and the excitement of speeding through rapids in a 40 foot metal boat. We sighted many big horn sheep, mule deer, geese, great blue herons and ducks. At the upper reaches of the Snake River we got a taste of what these mighty rivers were like in their pre-dam states. Our jetboat captain, Dan, skillfully navigated the rapids, including the class III Imnaha Rapid with ease.
Tomorrow we will be heading back down river, but not without a new appreciation of Nez Perce country.
