The Rivers of North Central Idaho

The Salmon River outside Whitebird

Idaho is famous for its scenery. There are mountains, forests, rivers, and fields. There are four main rivers in North Central Idaho: the Snake, the Salmon, the Palouse, and the Clearwater.  The Clearwater is the result of the convergence of three different rivers: the Middle Fork, the Lochsa, and the Selway.

These rivers are a big part of what makes North Central Idaho so beautiful.  They also have historical significance and they provide a number of great activities to do outdoors.



The Snake River near Buffalo Eddy

In 1805-1806, Lewis and Clark passed through North Central Idaho on their journey across the American wilderness.  The rivers played an important part in the journey, as the explorers used canoes to travel down the Clearwater and Snake Rivers on their way to the ocean.

The Clearwater and its tributaries the Lochsa and the Selway, as well as the Salmon, are very popular for their whitewater rafting.  Jet boat rides on the Snake River, which runs through Hells Canyon, has also become quite popular, with a number of companies offering rides and guides.



The Clearwater River in the Clearwater National Forest

If you’re looking for something a little calmer, there are a number of small beaches along these rivers.  Two of the best are Three Devils on the Clearwater and Skookumchuck on the Salmon.  There are also picnic tables at these and many of the other beaches.  A word of warning, though – if you decide to go swimming, the currents and undertows in the rivers can be tricky and dangerous.  Be very careful.

Miles and miles of highway lie along these rivers, much of it also passing through forests.  If you just want a scenic drive, you need look no further than the rivers of North Central Idaho.

 

 

Buffalo Eddy

Buffalo Eddy is the name of a section of the Snake River where the river takes several sharp turns.  However, the most fascinating part of the area is not the river: it is the collection of petroglyphs found on either side of the river. These petroglyphs were left there perhaps even 4500 years ago by the Nez Perce.

The petroglyphs show a number of different kinds of pictures.  Some are of people or animals, while others are more abstract. According to a sign at the site, we don’t know for certain why the petroglyphs were carved.  Probably, as the sign suggests, the site held some spiritual significance.

As the National Parks page about the site tells us, the petroglyphs are dated by looking at what the subject matter is. Just like we know that a painting from Western society containing a car or train could not have been made before the invention of those vehicles, we can tell that petroglyphs containing images of inventions that the Native Americans created could not have been made before those things were used.

There are also a few pictographs on the site. Pictographs are paintings or drawings, as opposed to petroglyphs, which are carvings. The pictographs can be dated using chemistry, by analyzing the pigments used in them, as the National Parks page once again tells us.

This is one site that you’ll have to leave North Central Idaho and go into Washington to see. There are petroglyphs on the Idaho side of the river, but this side is closed to the public. The Washington side, however, is not far from Asotin and is right by the highway.

Buffalo Eddy is one of the sites that make up the Nez Perce National Historical Park.  Some of the other sites include the Heart of the Monster and the Whitebird Battlefield, which I have also written posts about.

 

 

The Whitebird Battlefield



The Whitebird Battlefield

For someone as interested in local history as I am, the Whitebird Battlefield makes an excellent place to hike.  It is the site where, on June 17, 1877, Captain David Perry of the U.S. Cavalry led a little over a hundred men against a group that is estimated to have been anywhere from 50 to 140 Nez Perce warriors.

Today, the battlefield is a pretty desolate-looking place. A walking trail of about one and a half miles stretches through it. There are six stops along this trail where visitors can learn more about the events of the battle.

It would have been hard to get around in the midst of a battle

Desolate or not, it is still an intriguing place. When I was probably five or six, I went there on a field trip. We had a guide who was able to describe where and when the events of the battle took place. Ever since then, it has been one of those places where history doesn’t seem very far away for me.

If you decide to visit for yourself, you need to remember that the area gets very hot in the summer. You’ll need to bring water and sunscreen and be sure you’re dressed appropriately.

If you want a bird’s eye view of the battlefield, there is an overlook above it on Highway 95.

 

This snag grows on the top of a hill in the middle of the battlefield

The Whitebird Battlefield is one of the sites that make up the Nez Perce National Historic Park. Another site is The Heart of the Monster, which I also have a blog post about here.

The Heart of the Monster



The Heart of the Monster from the beginning of the walking trail

            Just outside of Kamiah along the Clearwater River lies a huge mound.  The Nez Perce who live in the area call it “The Heart of the Monster”.

            They have an ancient legend about it, which is their creation story.  In the story, Coyote – who is a hero in a number of Nez Perce legends – saves the animals from a terrifying monster who is eating them all.  You can hear the whole story at a kiosk on the site.



The Heart of the Monster

            The Heart of the Monster is right beside Highway 12 and is only a couple of miles outside of Kamiah.  There is a very short walking trail that allows you to get close to the Heart.  The kiosk allowing you to listen to the whole story is located at the end of this trail.

            There is also an overlook with a shelter that allows you to get a good view of the Heart. You can also listen to the story in Nimiipuu here, or read it in English from the walls.

            If you want a little bit more of a walk than the park allows, you can also go just across the Clearwater River to the Riverfront Park just on the edge of Kamiah and walk along the river bank.

            The Heart of the Monster is just one of 38 sites that make up the Nez Perce National Historical Park, with sites located in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Montana.

            If you’re looking for a short walk with a mix of history and mythology, then this is the place for you!