Q. What makes your company different from other river companies?
A. A great variety of Snake River trip options, including Cool Trips. And, a great schedule of summer trips with a launch date every four days all summer long. Please check out What We Offer and Why Go With Hughes.

Of course, experience is important too, and we have plenty of it. Hughes River Expeditions, Inc. is the senior outfitter on Snake River/Hells Canyon. Jerry and Carole have owned and operated HRE for 32 years.

But experience is only part of the story. No other Idaho outfitter puts as many resources back into its operation as does HRE. Those resources include keeping top notch, experienced guides year after year, providing excellent equipment (boats, camping gear, vehicles …), providing plenty of wholesome, fresh, delicious food, and maintaining an informative full-time office.

Jerry went on his first river trip in 1963 and 2008 is his 43rd year working as a guide in this region. He has guided for countless river miles on the Snake, Salmon, Middle Fork Salmon, Selway, Yampa, Green, Colorado, Owyhee, and Bruneau rivers. On the Snake River alone, Jerry has guided over 150 trips.

When the Hughes family goes on vacation, they usually go on a river trip. Family history is dotted with numerous boatman holidays. We love river running. We love sharing rivers with our guests. And, we take great pride in the quality of our outfitting service, and in protecting the invaluable public lands resources where we operate our trips.

Q. Can beginners go on your river trips?
A. Yes. And foremost expect to have a great time!! The Hughes Crew is sensitive to your concerns, and the guides will do their best to alleviate any worries you might have. You'll be amazed at how comfortable camping Hughes Style is, and we are confident that you'll want to return.

Q. What is an appropriate age for river trips?
A. These are great multi-generational trips - good for grandparents to grandchildren. So far as maximum age, you are as young as you feel. Call if you'd like to discuss any age related issues or concerns. We have taken many people in their 80's.

Minimum age varies with the trip dates you select. Snake River trips are great family vacations. Jerry and Carole have rafted for years with their kids who now range from 16-23 years of age. The Hughes kids have gone on the rivers since they were tiny. We leave the final decision on the ages of children up to the parents. We routinely take 6-9 year olds, and have taken kids so young as 4 and 5. Young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Give us a call, so we can discuss the best dates for your children based on their experience and age. We love outfitting for families, and the trips are great family vacations!

Q. When are the best river flows?
A. The Snake is a dam controlled river, and river flows are usually about the same throughout the summer. Spring time often means higher water based on the past winter's snowpack and reservoir storage in the upper Snake River Basin.

Q. How is the weather?
A. Hells Canyon is the warmest location in Idaho & eastern Oregon. This low elevation river gorge is arid in nature, and receives less than 10 inches of moisture annually. Spring and fall trips offer mild weather with a greater chance of a shower. But, spring and fall days can be, and normally are spectacular. Summer mid-day temps often reach the 90's and even the low 100's. Bring broad brimmed hats, sun screen, and dress just like you would at the beach. A dip in the beautiful Snake River is a great way to cool down on a hot summer afternoon. Always bring a rain jacket for a possible afternoon thunder boomer or summer shower. Check out our Gear List for suggestions on what to bring..

Q. Do you offer custom trips for groups?
A. Yes. We often outfit exclusive charter trips for groups of friends or organizations who want to have their own trip. We can tailor a charter to your group's needs and interests. Call our office. Options to consider include: fishing charter, different trip lengths (3 to 6 days), special hike & float combinations, focus on a particular topic (photography, interpretation, corporate retreat …)… Let us know what you have in mind. We'll do our best to make your plans a reality.

Q. Who are the guides?
A. The Hughes Crew is made up of a wonderful variety of personalities and abilities. The crew is a blend of guys & gals, and everyone is an expert whitewater guide, a great cook, and much more. The guides vary in age from 18-65, and many of have guided for 25 or more years. The crew includes: an antique dealer, college professors, lawyers, a chef, an officer in the US Navy (he only manages a couple of trips per year), a world champion whitewater & surf kayaker, high school coaches & teachers, a surgical nurse, an international guide, ski patrolmen, … and many more.

Jerry Hughes personally guides 8-10 trips per summer, and he is joined by his daughter, Ashley, and son, Colin on the Hughes Crew. Mom, Carole Finley, guided through the early 1980's, and still enjoys accompanying trips today.

Q. What is the pace of a typical river day?
A. Hot drinks, fresh fruit, & juice by about 7:00 a.m. Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. Break camp and on the river by about 10:00 a.m. Mid-day lunch break. Into camp by about 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres by about 6:30 p.m. Dinner around 7:00-7:30 p.m.

About 4 to 5 hours on the river is typical, although some river days are shorter and some are longer. We make stops daily to hike to historical sites, take a swim, fish a good hole, or to visit a point of interest. The length of time on the water varies with water levels, and the trip length you choose. Once you select dates, call the office if you want to discuss the normal pace for that particular trip and time of the year.

Even though we use hours of the day in this description, one of the most delightful parts of a river trip is changing over to "river time". As much as possible, we simply follow the day itself - sunrise, sundown, day light, dark, etc.

Q. I've never camped before. How is the camping?
A. River camping is easy, comfortable, great fun, and “deluxe”. We provide freshly laundered sleeping bags and camp pillows, self inflating sleeping pads, tents, camp chairs, dining tables. The guides pitch and take down your tent. Wonderful meals. Each evening the river will lull you to sleep. Starlit nights are incredible.

Q. How do we keep our gear dry during the trip?
A. We provide the best waterproof bags available for your clothing and other gear. We hand out waterproof bags and camera boxes at the pre-trip meeting the night before your trip and explain how to pack your gear into each. For your trip, we will provide:

- Roomy day bags (with you throughout the day)
- Demaree heavy duty waterproof duffles (your clothing closet for the trip)
- Pelican diving boxes (great for cameras, binoculars, etc.)
- Pre-packed, and freshly laundered sleeping bag & pillow in a Demaree heavy duty waterproof duffle.
- Self-inflating sleeping pad rolled and ready to go.

Q. What about sanitation and toilet facilities?
A. A hand wash system is available whenever we are in camp and at lunch. The guides do the dishes and cleanup after meals. To keep the river environment as clean as possible, solid human waste is collected and transported out of the river canyons in specially designed tank toilets. These are “camping” trips with no flush toilets, but the toilets we use are the best camp toilets available. Urination is in the bushes away from camp.

Q. What about drinking water?
A. We provide unlimited potable water throughout the trip. We start each trip with water from municipal water systems, and during the trips we use pure springs (you will love the delicious water at Dry Gulch Spring, River Mile 11), or *purify water for drinking through special filter systems. Bring a small plastic water bottle for your personal use. (*Water purification is provided through an EPA approved filter developed by PURA that uses sediment filters, carbon block filters, and a UV light. The result is the cleanest, best tasting water you will ever drink.)

Q. What type of boats do you use?
A. We provide a selection of top quality, self-bailing equipment: oar rafts (controlled by a guide rowing with oars), paddle rafts (controlled by a team of guests and a guide who captains the team), and inflatable kayaks (1 man or 2 man craft used in selected portions of a trip). Guests often plan to switch among the various craft. Let us know which boat(s) you prefer. We'll do our best to match up with your interests.

Serious fishermen can arrange special fishing boats that accommodate 2 fishermen and a guide. Check for rates.

A big custom designed supply pontoon carries duffle, kitchen gear, and extra ice chests. Each day, the supply boatman floats ahead of the group and organizes the evening's camp. When you arrive the tents are pitched, the kitchen is organized, and you can conveniently move in for the evening.

Q. Can I spend the entire trip in the craft of my choice?
A. I hope so. We do our level best to have the blend of oar rafts, paddle rafts, and inflatable kayaks that our guests want. However, 40 years of experience has proven that it is “virtually impossible” to have the perfect set of craft for every person, for every minute, of an extended 3-6 day river trip. It is important for you to come with a good attitude about sharing the various boat opportunities among the members of the group on your trip. If you have questions, please feel welcome to call our office.

Q. What are the meals like? (Click on (meals) for more information)
A. Not just food, but GREAT FOOD! The menu is wonderful, and there is plenty. The meals feature fresh meats (steaks, salmon, chicken & pork ribs, thick cut pork chops, Rock Cornish game hens, etc.), fresh fruits & vegetables, lunch & dinner salads, evening hors d'oeuvres, and Dutch oven baking (biscuits, cornbreads, muffins, layer cakes, and coffee cakes). Kid's Food is available on request (burgers, hot-dogs, PBJ, cereals, etc.).

Let us know if you have a special diet. We'll do our best to provide the foods you prefer, or you may bring them, and we'll provide storage.

Q. How should I dress on the river and in camp?
A. Our gear list runs through recommended garments. Avoid wearing heavy cotton clothes on the rafts because once they become wet, they will take a long time to dry. However, cotton is fine for camp.

On the rafts, guides typically wear nylon shorts or pants, light weight or synthetic shirt (collar & long sleeves help beat the sun), cap/visor, sandals (with heel straps) or tennis shoes. Keep rain gear, polypro underwear, polypro socks, etc. handy in a day bag in case the weather turns chilly. In camp light weight athletic pants that can be pulled on & off over shoes are convenient.

Q: What about beverages?
A. As our contribution to the trip beverages, we bring a supply of soda, fruit juice, beer, and dinner wine. We provide about 3 canned beverages/day/person. These complimentary beverages are not intended to be the only drinks available on the trip. They are simply our contribution to the trip total. Bring some of your favorites, especially if you prefer particular brands or drinks. We have space to store the beverages you bring. Use canned beverages when possible. Don't pack bottles or cans in your duffels. We have dry box & ice chest space to stow glass and aluminum containers. There is plenty of ice for the trip.

When you arrive, the ice chests will be filled to the brim, and some of our beverages will be on ice. At the beginning plan to use the beverages we already have chilled. As the trip proceeds, we can move your own favorite beverages into the ice chests to chill.

Q. Is it appropriate to tip the guides?
A. Certainly. The guides greatly appreciate gratuities, and the tips received on a trip are shared evenly by all the guides and camp helper on that trip. We are often asked “what is an appropriate tip?”, and of course, that is a question that is impossible to answer. Tips are up to the individual, and they vary in amount from small to very generous. Because so many of our past guests have asked, we've tried to come up with some ballpark numbers that we intend to be helpful, and not as a high pressure effort to secure tips for the crew. Average tips vary from trip to trip and with trip length.

The normal range of tips is shown below. Tips for a given trip will often fall below, or exceed these parameters.
3-4 Day Trip
$150-$300/guide, OR approximately $50 to $85/guest on the trip.
5-6 Day Trip
$250-$500/guide, OR approximately $85 to $160/guest on the trip.

Q. Can I bring stereos/boom boxes.
A. Please, no. But many guests bring CD head set players, and they are totally acceptable.

Q. Can I bring a musical instrument?
A. Yes. We often have guitars, and other instruments on the river. Several members of the Hughes Crew play musical instruments!

Q. Can I bring cell phone or satellite phone?
A. Cell phones “do not” work in the canyons. If you must bring a satellite phone, they are to be used only for emergencies, and cannot be used openly around the group. Hughes River Expeditions, Inc. carries a satellite phone for emergencies, that is used at the discretion of the guide crew.

Q. I want to fish on the trip. What about gear and licenses?
A. Fishing is excellent on Snake River. Plan to bring your own fishing rods in protective metal or plastic tubes. For young kids, many of our guests purchase closed faced, inexpensive, disposable rod & reel sets.

As part of our service, we bring several spin casting and fly fishing rods and some tackle for the group to share. We are happy to give fishing instruction.

You can purchase an Idaho fishing license by calling 800-554-8685. Order by phone with either MasterCard or Visa. Another option is the Idaho Fish & Game website: www.state.id.us/fishgame Or, you can purchase a license in Cambridge before your trip at Jay's Canyon Corner. 2007 license cost is $11.50 for the 1st day, and $5.00 for each additional day. Juniors (14-17) can purchase a junior fishing license for $13.75 for the year. Non-resident children under 14 do not require a license if accompanied by a licensed adult.

You can purchase an Oregon fishing license by calling 503-872-5275. 2006 cost is $12.00 (daily), $22.50 (2 days), $33.00 (3 days), $43.50 (4 Days), and $43.75 (7 Days).

Q. Are there mosquitoes or black flies?
A. There are some mosquitoes “in town” the night before your trip. But, there are NONE on the river. No black flies either.

Q. Can I keep prescription medicine cool during the trip?
A. Yes. Call our office to explain what you need. Medicines can be stowed in our ice chests during the trip.

Q. What about medical emergencies and evacuations due to injury or illness?
A. The guides are trained in 1st aid, and many have EMT, Winter Emergency Care, or 1st Responder Training. If injuries/illness are severe, the Guides will make a decision about possible alternatives for evacuation. Evacuation costs are born by the person being evacuated. This is a good reason to consider purchasing Trip Insurance.

Q. What about trip insurance?
A. We encourage the purchase of vacation trip insurance which covers personal property, personal injury, and cancellation. Many insurance companies offer such policies, and we will send you information on such programs when you make reservations or on request.

Q. Can I purchase books, maps, and pamphlets about the area I will be visiting?
A. Yes. The following books are available for purchase through the Hughes River Expeditions office (800-262-1882) or through the Hughes Company Store on our website (www.hughesriver.com). 5% Idaho State Sales Tax + shipping cost apply to book purchases.

We recommend the following.
- Snake River of Hells Canyon Carrey, Conley, & Barton $14.95
- The Wild and Scenic Snake River Boater's Guide with mile by mile information about your trip. $10.00
- Islands & Rapids “A Geologic Story of Hells Canyon”, Vallier. $25.00

If you have any remaining questions, please contact us.