LGBTQIA+ Whitewater Rafting Retreat

The Day Before Your Trip

Meet as a group in Clarkston, WA at 6pm on the night before your trip. You will meet your trip leader  as well as the other rafters on your trip. This is a great opportunity to ask any last minute questions. After a trip overview, your trip leader  will pass out dry bags (waterproof river bags) for you to pack your belongings into that evening. Lastly, meeting location for the following morning will be confirmed.

Day 1

Meet at 8 AM to head to the river—the drive takes approximately 2 hours with a bathroom stop. Once there, you will meet the rest of the guides and hand off your large "overnight" dry bag to the gear-team. After a safety talk we will load up into to the rafts, and river time begins!

You will have the opportunity to choose which raft suits your fancy throughout the trip and we encourage trying out all the options! If you're ready for an adventure hop into one our our inflatable kayaks, work as a team in the paddle raft, or sit back and take in the views in one of our oar-boats affectionately nicknamed "relaxy-taxis."  

Our first day on the river sets the pattern of the trip.  We float downriver together while the guides share stories about the canyon, teach you about reading water, or engage in the occasional water fight—everyone willing of course!  Sometimes we pull over for an interpretive stop, a short hike, or a particularly fun rapid to swim. There is always time for a snack, refilling water bottles or a bathroom break.

Getting to the river can take a lot of energy and we want you to get to the relaxing part as quickly as possible, so after a short float we pull over for a refreshing lunch. While the guides prepare the meal you can play in the river, get to know your fellow river runners, and wiggle your toes in the sand. After lunch we will get back on the rafts to travel deeper into the canyon together. Don't forget to reapply sunscreen!

Sometime between mid and late afternoon, we will round a bend to discover camp and the gear-team. When we arrive there is short period of unloading things from the rafts before an orientation and walk-through of camp.  In every camp there will be: a "living room," kitchen,  sleeping area, and "groover" or bathroom. In the "living room" you will find shade wings, tables, camp chairs, a beverage station complete with ice cold water, and even a library! The gear-team strives to have your tents set up prior to your arrival. Nearby you will find your personal overnight dry bags, cots, and sleeping pads.  Weather dependent, we encourage you to sleep outside under the stars at least one night of the trip! Groover location requires two things: a good view and privacy—don't worry, we pack a groover tent, in the event nature doesn't supply the latter.  

While you settle into camp the guides will whip up a delicious meal.  Evenings and nights in camp are largely a choose your own adventure experience. Circle together for stories, songs, or lessons about the stars. Settle in somewhere to read a book or listen to the quiet wisdom of the water and rest well with the knowledge you will wake with the canyon in the morning.

Day 2-3

Each morning tea, hot chocolate, and our very own Winding Waters' coffee blend will be waiting for you. Relax into the early morning while the guides make breakfast.  After eating, pack up your bags and get ready for the day. If you're willing, assist with taking down your tent and bringing things to the rafts. Once everything is packed, load up into your desired raft and downriver we go!

 The Lower Salmon is known for its canyons. Together we will float through quiet Green Canyon, ancient bedrock of Cougar Canyon,  Snow Hole Canyon with its exciting whitewater, and last but not least Blue Canyon—the baby of them all. Many people have called these canyons home dating as far back as 16,500 years. While we travel downriver you will learn about the Indigenous peoples, Chinese miners, ranchers and  rafters whom have called the Lower Salmon home. Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as eagles, otters,  deer, osprey, big horn sheep, or the rare sturgeon breaching the river's surface. If you're quick you may even spot coyote slinking over the rim.

There is lots of exciting whitewater and because the Salmon river is the longest un-damed river contained within one state, the river level will change from July-September. The guides will stop to scout larger rapids, but most will be read-and-run without stopping. In early July rafters may experience the Slide rapid while in August you may not even realize a rapid was there.

Finally the Salmon river converges with the much larger Snake river. Take in the awe-inspiring view of the confluence as we ourselves prepare to reconnect with "life above the rim."

Day 4

On the last day a motor may be used through the final flat water portion of the river. At the take out, bid farewell to the guides—until next time—before loading up into the bus and heading back to the hotel.