When Lewis and Clark came along, the Shoshone informed them that the river wasn't passable by man, mule, or boat. Nevertheless, Clark went with a Shoshone guide to see for himself. Eventually trappers, miners, prospectors, and timber men penetrated deeper into the canyon. Now, river runners can see remains of all these inhabitants with everything from Indian pictographs to a one-room schoolhouse. Boaters may also enjoy the same hot springs that warmed early explorers.
River runners can expect to camp in tents on broad sandy beaches.
The pork and beans of earlier days have been replaced by gourmet dishes, and the weather is mostly sunny and hot during the summer. Because this is a controlled wilderness area, only a certain amount of crafts are allowed to launch on the river, limiting the number of other humans you will encounter. One minor annoyance for rafters is the occasional jet boat that whines through, but their numbers are also controlled. Guides on the trip will not only navigate you safely through the rapids, but they will share the local lore with you. Supposedly, McKay once told a visitor that he had developed a relationship so harmonious with the canyon animals that every spring a few bighorn sheep would come by to greet him.