Day 5 was the last day for the duckies, with the biggest rapids yet. Kimberly paddled a few rapids in the morning, then Evan paddled through bigger rapids in the afternoon.

While the guides made lunch, we found small pools packed with tadpoles. After lunch, we scrambled up and over rocks to watch Veil Falls drift over the lip of a cavern. A breeze shifted the cascade, and the waterfall seemed to bend in the light.

We arrived mid-afternoon at Ship Island (mile 84.5). Evan walked up and swam in a big pool above camp. We spotted bighorn sheep in the cliff above camp; watched them navigate up along a fissure, then disappear over the top.

getting ready for breakfast at Survey Camp
common wood nymph butterfly blended in when it stopped moving
Kimberly paddled a ducky in the morning of day 5.
paddling through ponderosa pines
lunch at Elk Bar
Evan found a tadpole with tiny legs
This worm-like creature looked like a piece of plant, but moved fast.
A shallow pool was packed with tadpoles.
walking back from the tadpole pools when lunch was ready
Water from Veil Falls just barely made it to the ground.
Under Veil Falls
Veil Falls moving in the breeze
looing back down at the boats from Veil Falls
Evan paddled a ducky after lunch.
Steep rock walls rose up on both sides of the river.
view up the canyon of Papoose Creek
looking across the river to Ship Island Creek
Bighorn sheep browsed the hillside just above camp.
map of the river and rapids from the guide's library box
We watched bighorn ship walk up a steep path along a cliff above camp.
The sheep looked down at our camp before disappearing over the top of the cliff.
a pair of sheep that crossed the rocks above camp
The baby sheep hopped across the rocks.
our camp at Ship Island Creek, with Evan's tent on the left
Our Hughes River Expedition guides: Ben, Bucky, Tony, Mad Dawg, Andrew, Mark, and Marcus
Surf & turf for dinner on the last night of the trip