University of Rochester Alumni Raft Trips

Enjoy a wilderness rafting vacation and support the U of R Alumni Association at the same time! Relax with family and friends while rafting through the largest wilderness in the lower 48 states. Explore Idaho's legendary Salmon River canyon with Silver Cloud Expeditions, owned by Chris Swersey (class of '86) and his family. 

“We highly recommend Chris and Silver Cloud Expeditions. After our experiences on the river and camping with Chris and his staff, we can only say how challenging, educational and FUN that week was! It was incredible, and we felt safe and comfortable. Not only is Chris a master outdoorsman, guide and fisherman, he is also a wellspring of historical information and local folklore. His knowledge about Lewis and Clark, Idaho and the Pacific Northwest is as good as that of any Elderhostel docent or lecturer out there. We enjoyed great camaraderie, reminiscing about campus life, including the Blotter, Record Archive and our favorite places to eat wings.”

- Sue Weiss (U of R ’76) and Jake Mueller, Chicago IL

U of R alumni can join any of our regularly scheduled trips to allow maximum flexibility when planning your vacation. As in years past if you choose to make a donation to the U of R Alumni Association, Silver Cloud Expeditions will match up to $100 per guest. This is a great way to make your donation go twice as far and enjoy a great vacation at the same time! Be sure to let us know that you would like to participate in the U of R Alumni trip program.

Silver Cloud Expeditions' guides will lead you on an adventure through the pristine Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. We'll traverse 80 miles of primitive river canyon, stopping each afternoon to set comfortable camps. Get away from it all and relax with the easy flow of "river time". Visit Native American pictograph sites and historic homesteads, hike the canyon, try some fishing or just kick back in camp. 

Silver Cloud's friendly professional guides will interpret river history, geology, and wildlife as well as they maneuver exciting Class III rapids. Enjoy mouth-watering Dutch oven meals while camping on beautiful sand beaches surrounded by towering canyon walls. Try your hand at paddling an inflatable kayak - solo or with a partner. It's our version of continuing education, we'll give you a lesson!

Contact us any time for more information or to request a brochure. Call us toll free at 877-756-6215 - we answer the phone personally at our home office and love to talk about our trips and visit with fellow alumni. Or, send us an email request.

Download Summer Raft Trip Info Here:

Raft Trip Info - Schedule & Fares (150k .pdf)

Raft Trip Reservation Form (150k .pdf)

Campfire and Morning Coffee
(Steve Bly Photo)

U of R Alumni Raft Trip Fare and Itineraries:
(Our trip dates are the same every year)

2010 LAUNCH DATES

June: 20 , 28 (charter)
July: 6, 14, 22, 30
August: 7, 15, 23 (charter)*, 31* (charter)
* 6 day trip for same price as 5 day trip.

Pick trip dates that work best for you, and call us to check availability - with 10 launch dates, we have a trip to fit almost any vacation schedule. Late June, July and early to mid- August are our most popular departure times. Early and late season trips tend to be adult groups.

Reduce the length of any trip by one to two days if your schedule requires a shorter trip - call us for details and pricing.

Once you've chosen a date, pick the travel itinerary that is most practical for you. We'll show you how to bundle your raft trip and local charter flights into the four convenient travel packages shown below to accommodate your needs. We're happy to help you with your travel planning - please call us toll free at 877-756-6215 to check availability or for advice about travel in and around Idaho, and for planning your charter flights - it's easy!

Please let us know when you make your reservation that you would like to participate in the U of R Alumni Association donation matching program. Add a donation to the U of R to your invoice, and we'll match up to $100 per guest of your trip fare. This is a great way to make your donation go twice as far, and enjoy a fun vacation at the same time!

RAFT TRIP
~ Fare Includes all taxes, fees, camping and boating gear, meals and ground transportation ~
Pre-trip lodging and post-trip lodging not included.
Trip length: 5 - 6 days....$1450 (plus any donation you would like to make to the U of R alumni association; we'll match up to $100 per person)

BOISE TO BOISE
~ Bundle Your Raft Trip with Round Trip Flights To And From The River Out Of Boise ~
Our most popular itinerary, for guests who are flying to Idaho or starting their trip in Boise. Fly from the Boise Airport to Salmon on the afternoon prior to the launch date. Fly from McCall back to Boise at the conclusion of the trip.
Add ~ 360 per person

SALMON TO SALMON
~ Bundle Your Raft Trip with a Return Flight To Salmon After Trip ~
For guests driving to the area from the east, the Yellowstone area, Salt Lake City, Stanley, or Ketchum. Guests provide their own transportation to Salmon on the afternoon prior to the launch date. On the afternoon of the last trip day, fly back to Salmon from McCall.
Add ~ 165 per person

McCALL TO McCALL
~ Bundle Your Raft Trip with a Flight To Salmon Before Trip ~
For guests driving to the area from the west, flying into Spokane or starting their trip in McCall. Guests provide their own transportation to the airport in McCall. Fly to Salmon, Idaho on the afternoon prior to the launch date to join our trip. Guests are returned to their vehicles in McCall at the conclusion of the trip.
Add ~ 165 per person

SALMON TO McCALL
~ We'll Help You Arrange For A Vehicle Shuttle ~
Guests drive to Salmon, Idaho on the afternoon prior to the launch date. Guests' vehicles are transferred to McCall, Idaho on or before the last trip day. Guests are returned to their vehicles at the McCall Airport at the conclusion of the trip. 

2009 Shuttle Cost is ~ $325 per vehicle shuttled.

Call us toll free for information about our alumni raft trips at .

Salmon River Wilderness Beauty
(Steve Bly Photo)

Salmon river Rafting in Idaho
(Steve Bly Photo)