The last day of the voyage found guests in awe of the narrow and steep canyons of the Snake River Basin. After breakfast, guests boarded jet boats at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in Clarkston, WA and Lewiston, Idaho. We roared up the Snake River into Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in the United States.
We stopped to look at Native American petroglyphs and bighorn sheep. At Cash Creek, along the border of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington states, we paused to sip a hot drink and admire the view. The boats continued upstream, passing the confluence of the Salmon and Imnaha Rivers, 55 miles upstream from Clarkston.
Coming back downriver, guests stopped for lunch at Garden Creek Ranch, a beautiful mountain farm owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy. The ranch is dotted with rustic cabins and apple, cherry, pear, peach, and apricot trees. Guests devoured a well-earned pork and beans lunch with cookies and coffee.
The Snake River Canyon impresses all who experience her, winding deep into three states and over 9,000 feet into the earth. The canyon contains the origin of the lava flows that shaped the region over 17 million years ago. Returning to the ship, guests were treated to a talk by JR Spenser, a Nez Perce Tribal member and storyteller. This was followed with a talk from Coco Umiker, a fourth-generation local winery owner and producer. As the voyage came to a close, smiles were worn by all after a great week.
