Beamers Hells Canyon Tours

Captain Jim Koch has been navigating the ripples and rapids on the snake river through Hells Canyon on his jet boat for the last 30 years. His wife Jill accompanies him as he takes passengers on an interesting, history-filled full-day tour that starts and ends in Clarkston, Washington.

On its website, Beamers Hells Canyon Tours says passengers will discover numerous geological Hells Canyon facts and view diverse and abundant wildlife and plant life. All from the safety and comfort of a U.S. Coast Guard-certified tour boat.

"You will be immersed in the true-to-life history, magnificent wildlife, real adventure, and unsurpassed natural beauty in the deepest river gorge in North America," as posted on the site.

Captain Jim engaged the passengers on our tour with the area's history. He related stories about Chief Joseph's band of Nez Perce fording the river when ordered to leave their homeland in the Wallowa Valley on their way to a smaller reservation.

Throughout the eight-hour tour, he shared many interesting facts about Hells Canyon. He showed us the rustic remains of a hotel where about 2,000 miners once worked, pictographs on rocks, and a place where gold might still be hidden. He shared many more interesting Hells Canyon facts.

During the tour, we passed the tributaries of the Clearwater, Grande Ronde, Salmon, and Imnaha Rivers. The canyon borders eastern Washington, western Idaho, and eastern Oregon.

It was a very hot day in July on the river, and many people were rafting, kayaking, tubing, and fishing off jet boats. On the beaches, we saw either people and their tents or geese. Not a single beach went uninhabited.

Numerous cabins have popped up along the river; most were brought in by jet boats; however, one came by helicopter.

Captain Jim made his first stop at Heller Bar Lodge, where passengers could take a coffee break while the jet boat fuels up. The trip is 86 miles each way, and the boat uses about 200 gallons of fuel.

The next stop was at a sandy beach, where we cooled off in the water before heading to Copper Creek Lodge for lunch.

We visited the Historic Hells Canyon Kirkwood Ranch and Museum and then headed back towards Clarkston. On the way back, we stopped at another sandy beach to cool off and were offered ice cream. It was over 100 degrees, yet the ice cream had not melted.

The Beamers Hells Canyon Tour is an enjoyable experience.  An adventure close to home.   A day well spent.