[Utah78]

We have run Hells the past 2 summers. The youngest on both years was my son who was 9 the first time. I don't think its a problem to have 8 year olds, but just plan on raft order and safety plans in case of a flip or a swim which could be scary for the youngsters, especially for the big rapids: Wild Sheep, Granite, Lower Bernard, Waterspout, Rush Creek. Both of our trips were the last week of July/first week of august. The second time, based on a higher flows and fluctuations, the rapids were much bigger and a total blast. The second time one of our super pumas flipped on Rush Creek and had one swimmer fall out of a boat on Lower Bernard (huge and fun!), but no real safety issues overall. For the big class IV rapids, it is pretty obvious where to go, but don't take them for granted. We saw another group flip a raft on Wild Sheep and it was pretty burly.

I would highly recommend you go all the way down to Heller Bar takeout. Its just a long drive to get up there to just do a 3-4 day trip, so why not make it into a 6-7 day trip and do the lower section too, which I think is really awesome with some amazing desert, canyons, wildlife, fishing and swimming. We did this both times and did 6 day 5 night trips. The upper section down to Pittsburgh has all the big stuff. The lower section (Pittsburgh to Heller)has lots of class II rapids that are really fun, so we put the kids out in duckies and they love it. Bass fishing is great the entire way through. Next time I go back, I will definitely go the entire way through again. Regarding motors, lots of people will tell you that you need motors for the final 20 miles between the confluence with the Lower Salmon and Heller takeout. Both times we did not take a motor, and just planned on camping halfway down that final 20 miles before Heller, and then rowing out early the final morning, and we had no problems at all either time. But you should beware of warnings that afternoon winds can be extreme down there, so plan accordingly for timing your exit or take a motor.

If you want more details, let me know.

 

[Utah78]

I forgot one, nope 2 more things, that river is tidal due to dam flows, it can raise and lower river elevation substantially, when tying your boat off give yourself enough line that the boat can float out or in to the shoreline. Having a fully loaded raft up on rocks that were submerged but now is high and dry sucks. True story, ask other river runners...and prepare for that fffiing upriver wind that you get everyday on Snake Lake...you will never feel the same way about ffiing upriver wind again!!

Yes, mountain boy is absolutely correct. Our last 2 trips we always had either me or someone else signed to go out and check a couple of times each night and actually push out the boats and let out some rope so they don't get super stranded up high when the tide goes out. Its a pain but when the water drops a full 4-5 vertical feet, its worth making sure your boats don't get stranded.