Fly south, up the Snake River, past the Grande Ronde, Salmon, and Imnaha rivers. We travel low level into the visual wonder that is Hells Canyon (and to Hells Canyon Dam). Carved by the waters of the Snake River, this is North America’s deepest gorge, with the river being more than a mile below the peaks on the Oregon side and 8,000 feet below the Seven Devils Mountains range on the Idaho side. Spectacular views from the depths of the canyon, from the mountain and ridge tops, and from every level in between. Truly, there is no better way to see more of the canyon than by helicopter. On the return trip, we fly over what the Nez Perce call the “land of winding rivers”, timbered hills, through Joseph Canyon, and over fertile farmland. In all, an experience to last a lifetime.

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From the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, fly east toward Orofino and Dworshak Dam, the 3rd highest dam in the United States. A scenic journey through a history filled area. From there we turn south toward the Salmon River, over an expansive plateau surrounded by rugged wilderness and green mountain slopes. This is the Camas Prairie, the isolated eastern most remnant of the great Columbia River basalt field, and home to flowing fields of wheat, brilliant Canola and Camas. We then drop over 3000 feet into the Salmon River Canyon and follow this wild and scenic river, a favorite of white water and fishing enthusiasts, to the Snake River. Five miles upstream is the breathtakingly beautiful Imnaha River Canyon with its rushing currents, steep walls and narrow passage. Climbing out of the Imnaha drainage we cross a rugged desolate plateau before beginning our gradual descent through the wonders of Joseph Creek Canyon. A meandering oasis that endlessly winds its way around mini buttes and vertical ridges at the base of an otherwise barren canyon of layer upon layer of eroded basalt. This canyon is full of surprises and never disappoints - a pilot favorite. From the northern end of Joseph Creek Canyon we cross over the majestic Grande Ronde River Canyon on our way back to Clarkston. A fabulous, diverse trip with memories to last a lifetime!

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Fly east toward Lapwai and the heart of the Nez Perce nation, then south toward Winchester and behold some old, wooden train trestles before climbing out of timbered canyons onto an expansive plateau surrounded by rugged wilderness and green mountain slopes. This is Camas Prairie, the isolated eastern-most remnant of the great Columbia River basalt field, and home to flowing fields of wheat, brilliant Canola, and Camas. We then drop into the Salmon River Canyon and follow this wild and scenic river, a favorite for white water and fishing enthusiasts, to the Snake River and back to Clarkston.

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Pilot's Recommendation ... It is upstream (south) of the Grand Ronde that the “River of the Snake People” becomes even more rugged and remote. Steep, rocky, river banks give you the sensation that you are now entering the outer boundaries of North America’s deepest gorge. And as the scenery becomes more incredible, so do the stories of adventure, discovery, survival, and heart break—from the town of Eureka to the Nez Perce crossing at Dug’s Bar to Chinese prospectors digging through a mountain. And the Imnaha Canyon is breathtakingly beautiful. With its rushing currents, steep walls, and narrow passage, you will feel like you had better keep your hands inside the helicopter. When you get a view from above, you will ask yourself “How did we fly through there?” Great history, stunning scenery, a "Wow!" factor of ten out of ten.
Cannot be seen by jet boat.

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Pilot's Recommendation ... Add this extension onto your Grande Ronde (below) or Imnaha (above) flight seeing tour and witness a whole new canyon experience. Joseph Creek is literally a meandering oasis that endlessly winds its way around mini buttes and plateaus and vertical ridges at the base of an otherwise baron canyon of layer upon layer of eroded basalt. When the light is just right, the canyon seems to continuously unfold and open up before your eyes. Chief Joseph (the Elder) of the Nez Perce was born at the northern end of this seemingly sacred canyon. This canyon is full of surprises and never disappoints — a pilot favorite.
Cannot be seen by jet boat.

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Our most popular tour ... Fly south along Snake River to Heller Bar and the confluence of the Grande Ronde and you will quickly discover some of the beauty the area has to offer. Long before homesteaders, prospectors, trappers, and traders came seeking their fortune, the Nez Perce (Ni Mi’i Puu) were the land’s true caretakers, and the salmon and sturgeon ruled the wild and free-flowing waters. As we head upstream, one begins to get a sense of the beauty and ruggedness that becomes Hells Canyon. This is one of our more popular tours.

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Fly westward and downstream along the Snake River past Lower Granite and Little Goose Dams to the Palouse River, which we then follow upstream through a picturesque canyon until greeted suddenly by the Palouse Falls. Buttes, plateaus, a razor ridge line, and a spectacular 198 foot waterfall. What is not to like? Best viewed in spring and early summer when water flow is high.

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From the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, fly east along what the Nez Perce call “the clearer of the two” rivers. A scenic journey through a history filled area takes you toward Orofino and what is the 3rd highest dam in the United States and the highest straight-axis concrete dam in the western hemisphere. The reservoir behind the Dworshak Dam stretches 54 miles upstream and has become a recreation haven. Seventeen miles up the former North Fork of the Clearwater River, we will fly over beautiful Dent Bridge, a 1,550 foot long suspension bridge over the reservoir.

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Head north out of the Lewis-Clark Valley and over some of the most beautiful rolling hills and fertile dry farmland in the country, the Palouse. Interspersed with hidden canyonettes and home to native Cougars and Vandals, the Palouse are truly a natural wonder to behold. We will check out two of the better known university campuses in the area — Washington State University in Pullman and University of Idaho in Moscow — before returning to the Snake River.

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For those who want to go a little beyond the borders of downtown Lewiston and Clarkston and get a feel for how the topography of the region was formed from layers of basalt (lava rock) and then eroded away by flows and floods at the end of the last ice age. Everything is not what it first appears to be ... rock cliffs are home to big horn sheep and tops of mountains are actually fields of fertile farmland, and a gradual climb to the southeast ... Waha Lake!

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See the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers from above and get a bird’s eye view of the twin cities, Swallows Nest Rock, and maybe even your home (if you are a local). A great flight to introduce young ones to the joys of flying via helicopter.

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Do you have something you want to see from the air — your farm, your home, the destination of your next fishing or adventure trip, wildlife, wilderness, unique rock formations, or a combination there of? We will help you customize a flight to your liking and provide a first-class experience you will always remember. Prices are based on Hobb's meter (or actual flight time).

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