With only about 8 miles to the next camp, we had time to explore after breakfast. We walked along the river toward an old cabin, then back along the hillside. Kimberly and Paul got into the paddle boat; Evan relaxed in an oar boat after his long paddling day. We paddled through several class III rapids, including Tappan Falls and Cove Creek.

We stopped for lunch at Camas Creek, and watched a bald eagle fly low over the creek before circling up and away. We stopped again in the afternoon to see more pictographs sheltered by overhanging rock.

We arrived mid-afternoon at Trail camp (mile 64.5), and carried our bags and sleeping pads to shady tents under ponderosa pines. While making dinner, the guides found a rattlesnake in the kitchen, and relocated it away from camp.

walking to breakfast from the tent area
finishing up breakfast at Upper Grouse camp
After breakfast, we walked a trail along the river.
The dusky grouse blended in with the dry grass.
We turned up the ridge and back toward camp.
On Day 3, Evan rode next to Gina in the back of an oar boat.
Paul and Kimberly went in the paddle boat.
Day 3 paddle boat
Paul found a rock for lounging at the lunch stop.
Camas Creek flowing into the Salmon
A bald eagle flew low overhead before disappearing down the canyon.
We walked to a bridge over Camas Creek.
Kimberly found a shady spot under the ponderosa pines.
pulling over to see pictographs
pictographs under an overhang, surrounded by soot-darkened rock
view of the river from the pictograph site
sheer rock walls rose up from the cool green water
our shady riverside spot at Trail Camp
The guides discovered a rattlesnake under a rock in the kitchen area.
relocating the rattlesnake from the kitchen area