Natalie Bartley: Hagerman area gives whitewater boaters a year-round option

The section of the Snake River near Hagerman is one of the few Idaho whitewater rivers that do not freeze or have water too low to boat during winter.

After a chilly, late-season float, you can also warm up at one of several commercial hot springs along the Thousands Springs Scenic Byway.

River runners must be prepared for winter boating conditions by wearing wetsuits or dry suits, wetsuit booties, warm hats under helmets and hand protection. They should also be prepared for Class II-III whitewater.

In late October, I kayaked on the Hagerman reach section of the Snake River.

It had been years since I boated there, and I was pleasantly surprised at the improved put-ins and new take-out.

Idaho Power Company improved river access in the Hagerman valley with well-maintained and clearly identified recreation areas.

Whitewater boaters have four launches to choose from in the 7.5-mile stretch starting at the Lower Salmon Falls Hydroelectric Project near the confluence of the Malad River and Snake River to the take out near Shoestring Bridge south of Bliss. It is an easy, 9-mile shuttle along U.S. 30, or you can drive River Road and get occasional views of the rapids.

You can shorten the float and shuttle by launching your boat at the Snake/Malad Rivers Whitewater Access near the confluence, or by taking out at the newly developed Relish Whitewater Take-out.

It's located above the slow-moving section of the river above the largest rapid in the Hagerman stretch.

All four locations' access points have outhouses, boat launches and parking.

Interpretive signs there describe gold mining activities and Native American fishing techniques, and maps on the signs show recreation attractions in the area.

Another boating option in the Hagerman Valley is circumnavigating Ritter Island, which is part of Thousands Springs State Park. The island is on the northeast side of the Snake River, six miles southeast of Hagerman.

After paddling the whitewater stretch downstream from Hagerman, the next day I launched from the 1000 Springs Resort.

It was a short paddle across the Snake River to Ritter Island. Entering on the upstream side of the island, I paddled against the gentle current of an emerald green creek fed by the cascading waterfalls.

Continuing against the current, I came to the footbridge crossing between the power plant park and Ritter Island. After the bridge and the power plant, the water flows downstream towards the Snake River, passing near another set of waterfalls.

I exited from the channel and returned to the murky water of the Snake River. By heading upstream along the shore, the circumnavigation of Ritter Island was completed. You can also drive to Idaho Power's Thousand Springs Park by the hydroelectric project on the northeast side of the Snake River. It is an easy launch from the picnic area into the protected waterway near the footbridge crossing to Ritter Island.

Access onto the island is closed during the winter until Memorial Day weekend, but you can call the Thousand Springs State Park and reserve a tour of the historic structures on the island.

For a weekend outing in the off-season, it is hard to beat the paddling, hot tub soaking and waterfall viewing available in the Hagerman Valley.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

- Idaho Power Company, Recreation Information-Whitewater Launch Sites, (800) 422-3143, www.idahopower.com.

- 1000 Springs Resort, boat launch, year-round camping, indoor swimming pool and private hot tubs, (888) 849-4181, www.1000 springsresort.com.

- Miracle Hot Springs, camping, outdoor swimming pool and private hot tubs, (208)543-6002, www.mhsprings.com.

- Thousand Springs State Park, Off-season tours of Ritter Island (208) 837-4505, www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov.

Natalie Bartley is a freelance outdoors writer. E-mail: natbartley@earthlink.net