Pictured above are four of eight members of the GPNSC who spent a pleasant, windy weekend on the Chetco River. After leaving our vehicles at the end of a Siskiyou National Forest road, we waded across the river and hiked in about 2 miles. We traveled first through mixed deciduous and conifer forest; the last mile of primeval, fern-covered hillsides led to a beautiful campsite with a sandy beach right on the river near a rushing waterfall. The clear water made for great swimming among the newts.
Following a short hike to the next creek up river, a crew took Thermarest pads and swam, walked and floated back down to the campsite. Companionable chatter around the campfire and an early bedtime prepared the adventurous little band for a float and paddle down the Chetco River to Nook Bar on Sunday. Sadly, cloud cover greeted the couple who arose in the middle of the night to check on the Perseid Meteor Shower.Sunday, six of us floated downriver past the Chetco Inn, through the forest accompanying a great blue heron for a spell. The weather was excellent, but the wind was strong in the wider river areas and consequently the tribe was really hungry for fish and chips at the Chetco Seafood Company after the 3.5 hour paddle.
