Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1923-01-04
RETURN FROM
VOYAGE DOWN
SALMON RIVER

Among the interesting happenings
of last week, was the return of H
w. Weidner, C. H. Woodward and
son, C. H., Jr. They composed the
hunting party taken by Mr. Weidner,
on another of those thrilling voyoges
down the Main Salmon River, he,
having made the trip several times in
the past. However, the experiences
of this trip, will, no doubt be remem,
bered for sometime by the parties
participating.
The Main Salmon is wild turbu-
lent mountain stream, that almost
bigects the rocky mountain system
forming, what is said to be the deep
est river canyon in the world. 1t is
not the highest above sea level but
the fartherest from the river water to
the tops of the first mountains. This
canyon and tributary country forms
the greatest sanctuary left in the
United States for wild life. There
will be good hunting here for our
chlidren's children for the game is
well protected owing to the rough
ness of the country and the made
quate means of transportation, as
very little of it can even be reached
with a pack train.
The party left Payette on OctA 21st
going by train to. Salmon, Ideho,
where they built their. boat. regu-
lation scow sx31 feet and made the
start down the river. Outside of
their own outfit the party took al
couple Of tons OF freight most of
which was for forest service camp
below Pine Greek. also we're accom-
panied part OF the way by two other
gentlemen. one Mr.. Dave Sander
land as far as Shoup, and Mr.. Fred
Branderstedt as far az the Middle
ORR.
The party made the usual run
down the river, without misshap of.
any kind, thru the forest clad mount
tains intersperced with percysitous
canyons and many rock strewn
rapids and falls, forming one of the
grandest panoramas of scenery in
the world, and easily procuring their
quota of game; until the mouth of
Rattlesnake Creek was reached. Here
things began to happen. 1t was late
In November and the party was home |
ward bound with their trophies and /
meat, when sudden cold snap came /
and started heavy slush ice running. |
They Immediately started but had
only made a few miles when on
rounding a bend they were confront
ed by an unbroken line of ice, the
river being frozen clear across, the
slush ice jams up in the deep eddies,
freezes together and forms what Is
known as ice bridges. Now came a !
Of hand work; they carried 500 feet
OF cable and blocks to use with 1t.
three miles over mountain trail and
pulled the boat quarter of a mile
over one bridge, that was too solid
to cut thru. They dynamited and
sawed a channel thru others. In
this way they made many more miles
and just when they had passed the
last barrier and as far as they knew
had open water the rest Of the way,
the second cold snap came, the ther-
mometer dropping below zero and
freezing ice bridges in single night.
Here it became apparent that It
would be foolish to try to take the
boat further. Luckily it was close to
the cabin of man by the name Of
James Moore so they had a place to
store their outfit
Leaving everything except a few
valuables and necessities they hiked
over the mountain to Dixie, dis
tance of about fifteen miles. From
here it took them ten days to reach
home by stage route, the snow being
too deep to run cars and sleighs the
principal means Of transportation.