Lochsa River Adventure

For the last weekend in May we planned a 3-day camping, hiking, hotspringing, and rafting extravaganza. We left early from Bozeman and made the scenic drive out to Highway 12 where we set up camp along the rushing waters of the Lochsa. We found a nice campground between Weir and Jerry Johnson Hotsprings which we had basically to ourselves. We explored around a little, made dinner, and headed to the Weir hotsprings. It was a short walk in along a rushing creek to a nice set of springs with a few campsites along the way. We shared the spring with one other group and soaked until it began getting dark.

The next day we headed over to the DeVoto Memorial Cedar Grove where we checked out the giant trees. Then it was across the river to the Jerry Johnson falls which we really impressive at the high water level. After that we looped down to the hotsprings for some more soaking. The lower springs (the ones closest to the river) were completely submerged, but the upper springs were nice.

Now that's a big cedar!

We found this super creepy hand stuck in one of the trees

Crossing the Lochsa

The Falls

Jerry Johnson Hotsprings

Reflection in the springs

Then the next morning it was up early for our adventure down the raging Lochsa. The river was running nearly at peak and created an exciting ride. Lochsa Falls was especially roaring. Luckily our group managed to stay in the raft. Can't say the same about the group before us. They had a wave surge on them and the entire raft flipped. Everyone was fine though. It was a great weekend.

How to raft the Lochsa

How not to raft the Lochsa