The Lochsa River is without a doubt the greatest resource we have in the recreational boating community. With 30 miles of pristine whitewater weaving its way through ancient cedar stands and bubbling hot springs, the Lochsa is one of a kind. In this post we will share with you our tips and tricks to make your Lochsa experience unforgettable.
1) Get your gas at Ropers Lounge
Start your journey off right with a full tank of gas, delightful breakfast burritos, and if you fill up with a kayak on your car you will get a free drink ticket for the house bar and lounge. Thanks Ropers!
Can’t miss it!
2) Drysuits are worth it!
When you hear of days of old along highway 12 the common thread is cold weather, high-water, and more cold weather. Well the times have changed, and with newer gear a drysuit will make your experience a bit more toasty. If you can’t afford a fresh suit, no worries. You can rent a dry suit at Love Boat for $50 a weekend. We have semi drysuits as well as Gore-Tex Kokotat Meridian drysuits.
Don’t be cold again with Love Boat dry suit rentals.
3) Take a hike
It’s far too easy to head to the Lochsa for a weekend of fun whitewater and miss out on the world class hiking trails, but we dare you to take a hike! Some of our favorites are Fish Creek, Boulder Creek, and Devoto Grove. All very accessible and relaxing after a day of rafting.
Photo of some kayakers on the fish creek trail. Taken about 2 miles past the trailhead.
4) Carpool, watch that speed and pick-up hitch hikers
It’s becoming more important to be car-conscious, so minimize your impact with full rigs. Once on the road, don’t be fooled by highway 12’s remote feel and beautiful winding roads. The men and women of Idaho’s Highway Patrol are on the lookout for speeding kayakers and rafters. They lurk, hide, and don’t mind ticketing you for 5 over. Be smart! Lastly, pick up your fellow boater or surfer. There is always room to slam another body into a car.
Slow is fast!
5) Be ready for the rain
Tarps, rain gear, and dry wood will keep you out of the rain and cold. There is always plenty of drift wood on the banks of the mighty Lochsa, but supplement with your wood supply with your own stash. A good tarp will go a long way, so bring two or three depending you crew size. Rain gear is a must when out in the Idaho backwoods. A simple trash bag poncho is a cheap solution for the hardest dirtbags. Don’t rely on The Pavilion to keep you dry be prepared to find your own piece of dirt.
A nice video of Lochsa Life with our buddy Overflow Bob.