Trip Report: September 10, 2009

More photos from the September 10, Rocky Middle Fork trip.

The September 10 launch is our last "normal" trip before we head into our fishing specific trips on the 17th.

Once again long time Rocky guest Mark Williams joined us for the September 10 date and his 24th Rocky Trip! The September date is one of Mark's favorite because of the consistent weather, great fishing, and the hint of autumn in the air.

If you've ever floated with Mark Williams then you know how much he loves Idaho and how much he likes to hike. This year instead of flying with everyone else Mark, his wife Sandi, their son Sloan, and Sloan's friend Gary decided to back-pack down Loon Creek and meet us at the hot springs. On the last day of the trip I heard scheming of a three day hike from Boundary Creek to Indian Creek airstrip in the works for next year. Who else is interested?

Left to right: Gary, Sloan, Sandi, and Mark.

When Steve, Martin, Patrick and Nathan heard that the Williams crew would be hiking down Loon Creek, they jumped on the opportunity to start their Middle Fork journey with a two day hike.

Art, Nate, Alicia, Terri, Grace, Ethel and Emily near Hospital Bar.

A unique overhead perspective near Tappan Island:

Emily and the paddle crew push through Tappan Falls:

The hiking crew takes in the views from the top of the Little Pine hike. Left to right: Terri, Martin, Patrick, Steve, Ethel, Bill (blue hat), Nathan, Kevin and Emily.

Telly and the Paddle crew showing the duckies the right line in Devil's Tooth rapid:

Gary, how did you stay in the inflatable kayak in Devil's Tooth?

Telly and the paddle boat crew take a face-full in Kramer Cr. rapid and lose Nathan: