Mornings in camp were cool, and we wore pants or a jacket to breakfast. The sun woke us up, and packed our stuff into our big bags so the guides could pack the sweep boat while we were eating a big fresh cooked breafast. We had a long river day, with 24 miles to the next camp. We all got in duckies and paddled a few rapids.

We stopped to play in the warm waterfall at Sunflower Hot Springs, and climbed up to a hot pool overlooking the river. After some more river time, we pulled over and walked uphill to see a Sheepeater pictograph site on the rocks above the river. We stopped again for lunch, then paddled on. Evan paddled his ducky all 24 miles, including through afternoon headwinds.

We arrived after 5pm at Upper Grouse camp (mile 56.4). The guides didn't like Upper Grouse; it was a very long river day, didn't have shade, and the dining area was a longish walk from the kitchen area. They preferred Lower Grouse (unassigned tonight), and speculated that the Forest Service was using AI to (poorly) assign the camp sites. Our tent had an amazing view of the plateau and mountains, and the Dutch oven biscuits at dinner were amazing.

after breakfast at Marble Left
The guides packed the sweep boat with our big dry bags and tents, and left early to set up the next camp.
We all got in duckies in the morning.
Paul and Evan in duckies
following the mother duck (paddle boat)
The riverside waterfall at Sunflower hot spring was our one and only hot shower of the trip.
We only put our feet in the very hot pool above the river.
Our guides led us on a short walk up from the river to see pictographs.
The Sheepeater tribe depicted people and animals using non-local ochre acquired in trade.
The Sheepeaters were renowned for their hunting prowess.
view down from the pictograph site
Our guides set up lunch, with salad wraps, fruit, chips, and cookies.
Evan paddled a ducky for 24 miles, our biggest river mileage day of the trip.
An osprey watched us float by from its giant nest.
Turquoise Loon Creek joined the Salmon around mile 50.
We floated past bighorn sheep grazing on the bank.
We pulled in to Upper Grouse after 5pm, our longest paddling day.
Upper Grouse doesn't have shade, but it does have spectacular views.
dusky grouse in a chokecherry bush