Smith River Float
A Fun Trip on one of Montana's Iconic Rivers
Early June, 2016
Fraunhofer to Rattlesnake
Click on any image for a larger view;
Contact garya at this domain if you would like the high quality image for printing
Day four dawned cloudless and we were off again.
 |
 |
| Tree On Cliff Side |
We stopped and hiked up to a large cave containing
pictographs.
The start of the hike was through brush containing a fair amount of
poison ivy,
and I wish I had worn a long-sleeved shirt and long pants.
I ended up with a small patch on the side of one knee,
despite being pretty careful and washing when we got back to the boats.
 |
Pictograph Cave
Photo by John Rundquist |
There is a smaller cave below the actual pictograph cave.
Some of us went over to it for a look-see.
 |
 |
| Small Cave below the Pictograph Cave |
Carol
Photo by John Rundquist |
John and Elizabeth
Photo by Carol Kulish |
The pictograph cave itself is pretty good sized.
It's pretty easy to imagine hanging out up there in a big storm with a campfire smoking things up.
The entrance is large enough and the level ground far enough back from the surface of the mountain
that you probably don't have to worry about lightning arcing to your head as you would in smaller caves.
 |
Pictograph Cave
Photo by John Rundquist |
 |
 |
| Pictographs |
 |
| Pictographs |
Elizabeth found some more cool geology things...
 |
Geology Thing
Photo by John Rundquist |
 |
From Pictograph Cave
Photo by Carol Kulish |
 |
 |
| Group At Cave |
 |
 |
| Near Pictographs |
 |
 |
| Butt Sliding Down (yes, it's steeper than it looks...) |
 |
 |
| Boats at Pictograph Trail |
John Holding Boats |
We all tried to wash up in case we had brushed the poison ivy on the way.
Then we were off.
 |
 |
 |
| Derf and Jill |
|
Bill, Carol, John and Mel |
 |
 |
| Bill and Carol |
 |
| Lunch |
The Smith doesn't have much in the way of real rapids,
although at high water levels one should stay awake.
As it was, we just had to avoid getting stuck on rocks.
Our last camp was just above Rattlesnake Rapid,
the one significant rapid on the river.
I was hoping to see some of its namesakes,
but didn't find any.
 |
 |
| Upper Rattlesnake Camp |
 |
 |
| Rattlesnake Rapid |
Our last meal was an amazing thing made by David and Mel.
I don't remember what it was but I need to get the recipe.
It was outstanding!
It is normally pretty spicy,
but Dona and I are wimps and they made it unspicy just for us and let people add their own.
Thanks, guys!
 |
 |
| Dinner with Chefs David and Mel |
