The River Company Blog | Sun Valley Idaho and Stanley Idaho River Trips

Sun Valley Idaho Hikes with Kids

david — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:33:25 +0000

There is a great article on hiking with kids in the Sun Valley Idaho area. Read the entire blog post here.

Salmon get some needed help

david — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:59:17 +0000

All Salmon on the Upper Main Salmon near Stanley, Idaho are anadromous fish: they are born in the fresh water of the Salmon River, migrate to the ocean, then return to the Salmon some 900 miles to reproduce or “spawn”. The federal government just gave these fish a huge break by allowing dams that impede their progress to spill water aiding these young salmon (smolts) have a more natural trip to the ocean.

Right now, millions of salmon and steelhead smolts from Idaho are on the ride of their lives as they attempt to dodge hungry predators and other serious obstacles on their downstream migration to the ocean. But one thing the smolts won’t have to contend with on their perilous journey is the curtailment of water spills over dams on the lower Snake River.

This is great news for Salmon and means that if you join us in the next few years you will have a better chance of viewing these amazing fish on one of our trips.

Read the entire article at the Idaho Mountain Express

President Speaks at America’s Great Outdoors Conference

david — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:14:17 +0000

President Obama spoke on Friday at the White House Conference on America’s Great Outdoors. Reading the transcript all of us at The River Company appreciate the quote below. We believe families need to spend more time outdoors. If you are on the fence about your vacation choices this Summer, give a vacation that enables you and your family to be outside some additional thought. And if you end up in Idaho, come by and give us a visit.

Third, we’ll help families spend more time outdoors, building on what the First Lady has done through the “Let’s Move” initiative to encourage young people to hike and bike and get outside more often.

Link to the full transcript.

River Co. offers on-river teacher workshop with Project Learning Tree

heather — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:34:16 +0000

The River Company, along with Idaho Project Learning Tree, is offering an on-river teacher workshop focusing on Wildfires & Weeds, Aug 2-3, 2010. $95 covers workshop fee, raft trip and lunches. Optional university credit is available.

On the river and in the classroom, this workshop will address wildfires and invasive species with both a local and statewide focus. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on PLT activities, enhance teaching skills, plan ways to use PLT activities to accomplish existing curricular goals and meet state education standards, join the growing community of educators who believe in PLT’s approach to education, receive PLT materials, and earn university credit (optional).

PLT is an award-winning, interdisciplinary environmental education program for educators working with students in PreK through grade 12. PLT helps students gain awareness and knowledge of the natural and built environment, their place within it, and their responsibility for it.

The rafting portion of this workshop features many exciting class 2 and 3 rapids, is guided by licensed professionals and is suitable for those with little or no rafting experience. Boat choices include paddle rafts, inflatable kayaks and oar boats.

For more information and to register for the workshop go to http://idahoforests.org/plt1.htm. Space is limited so register early!

Dogs of The River Company

heather — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:28:30 +0000

It is true. At certain times of the year it seems that Stanley has more dogs than human inhabitants. And at The River Company we do love our dogs. On that note, we would like to welcome another addition to the family. Guide Mark Martin recently became the proud father of Rainy, the cutest (and from what we hear, the most well-behaved) puppy there ever was. Check out these pics of Rainy and the other River Co. dogs.

Rainy: "Best" puppy in the world

Mangee...so regal

Ochoco the wonder pup

Baeli: Missing Kelly, but loving Celina

Oscar the travelin' dog

Ellie: Honorary TRC Retiree Dog

Quiggles: Not so honorary TRC dog

Viva Dogtown!

2010 Guide School

david — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:45:25 +0000

We have just announced the dates for our 2010 Guide School. Our four day course provides a introduction into professional river guiding on Class III-IV whitewater. We will focus on: river hydrology, river navigation, reading whitewater, raft equipment rigging, equipment maintenance and repair, personal rescue equipment & signals, commercial safety put-in talks, knot tying, first aid skills specific to the river environment, and the personal skills to create a safe, enjoyable Idaho Rafting Trip.

Stanley Idaho and SNRA Video

david — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:29:00 +0000

Just got wind of a great video about the Sawtooth National Recreation Area put together by the Sawtooth Society. Really worth the time if you are considering visiting Stanley, Idaho.

Thanks to Jared at the Stanley Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce for letting us know about it.

Idaho Snow

david — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:20:42 +0000

After cold temps and rain, snow has arrived in Idaho. River Rafters in Idaho are always excited to see snow. Simply put water lovers get to play with twice. First in the mountains in the winter and then we get to raft and kayak on it with you in the summer months. We have our fingers crossed for a great snow year after the past 2 years of great water flows. With any luck we will be skiing by Thanksgiving in Idaho.

Sun Valley Idaho Rafting

david — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:48:02 +0000

Our 2009 season was the best season for river trips in Sun Valley in 10 years. If you are planning a trip to Sun Valley and would like to go rafting below is a summary of what we offer for next summer.

We have two basic trip options.

River Rafting with Lunch. This is by far our most popular trip, we float an 11 mile section of class II and III whitewater. Half way through the trip we pull over at our riverside lunch camp where our chef is putting the finishing touches on the best meal in the Sawtooth Valley. Daily, Cindy puts together a fresh, healthy, and wonderful meal balancing unique flavors from around the world with the little ones always in mind. If your child doesn’t like the daily special, we always have PB & J on stand by. We can also accommodate any dietary needs you might have. And all of our meals typically have a vegetarian side dish that can be served as a entree. Don’t be shy we would love to make you something special. Good food and good guides make a great river trip.
Straight Shot. In a hurry or want to sleep in? Our afternoon trip has the same stretch of white water, only we have a snack stop instead of lunch. Water and a granola bar are served riverside.

We hope to see you this coming Summer. Always call with any questions.

David, Heather, Miles, & Fin

Planning your Stanley Idaho Vacation

david — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:51:06 +0000

Planning your Stanley, Idaho vacation just got easier. Our good friends at the Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce just re-designed their website. If you are planning other activities than rafting in Stanley, the new site breaks down nicely horseback trail rides, mountain bike rides, fishing, and other Stanley Idaho Events. Take a moment and browse the site. I am sure they would like feedback as well.

See you in Stanley this summer,
Dave