Montana. If the word doesn’t conjure an image in your mind I don’t know where you have been, but you need to go there. For me, it brings to mind green valleys surrounded by forested mountains.
But the Smith River? If you have heard of it you probably talk to people in the rafting world. When I told most people we were going I got a blank stare. Where is it? Well, it’s not really by anywhere you have heard of really. And that is part of the charm.
I had the good fortune of drawing a permit to float the Smith River for June of 2018. I think I have applied for right around 12 years, so I am not going to call it luck, otherwise it would mostly be bad. But finally the year came, we were going to be able to see it. The flows were looking too low, then they were really high. In the end I think they were just about right.
When we showed up at the put in we were looking at the diminutive little stream and thinking, could this be it? But, all reassurances were we were going to be in the canyon and it was a real river.
It turns out it was true.
The river moved us right along and even though we chose what was described as one of the longer first day floats we were in camp in time for lunch.
What started off as a rainy day turned into a blue sky wonder. Flowers were in bloom through the entire trip.
The next day dawned with big blue sky all around that stayed with us until the end of the float. Ever wonder why they call it big sky country? Neither do I.
The high water made fishing a bit of a challenge. The scenery made up for it.
Before we knew it we were already in camp #2. One nice thing about the Smith is that you reserve all your campsites at the put in. No pressure to beat the next group to another site. Each day just leave when you want, take the time you want, and show up in the next camp, it is all yours. I can’t understate how pleasant that makes the float.
Camp 2 was Sunset Cliffs. I think you’ll see where they got the name.
Another day came and went. You are only allowed 4 nights on the river, so that kept us moving, along with the high water.
The middle of day three found us at the Heaven on Earth Ranch. Here we were, 30 or so miles into our backcountry river trip, with the opportunity to play 9 holes of golf. Really? We couldn’t pass it up.
The greens were a little tough to putt on, especially since all we had was a 7 iron, but the scenery more than made up for it.
What a great time at a unique place. A must stop if you are on the Smith, just to say you did. And I must say, the hospitality is top notch. They know the meaning of the word ‘service’ here.
Heaven on Earth was a great end to another day on the Smith as we made our way down to the Fraunhoffer camp for the night. Then, without warning we were on to day 4. Time flies.
Day 4 brought a few nice fish, some great views of eagles and more of that great canyon scenery.
And just like that, the sun was setting on day 4 and on our trip down the famed Smith.
The last morning in camp some motion caught my eye. I looked up and a moose was prancing through camp. She was gone as quickly and silently as she came.
Farewell for now Smith. I hope to be back soon.
