Field Guide to Rivers of the Rocky Mountains

by Tim Palmer

Overview

The Rocky Mountains are renowned for rugged grandeur, but the rivers flowing off the peaks are just as extraordinary in their beauty, nature, and allure. Tim Palmer reveals these natural wonders with their irresistible opportunities for paddling in swift currents and hiking along scenic shores with Field Guide to Rivers of the Rocky Mountains. He guides readers across Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming in this essential and inspiring reference for residents of the Rockies and visitors alike.

Look inside to find:

• Detailed descriptions of 70 rivers
• Paddling difficulty and trail locations
• Directions to landings and trailheads
• Natural science and conservation history
• 200 brilliant photos by the author
• Maps locating all rivers

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493052394
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/01/2021
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	1,039,096
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Tim Palmer has written numerous books about the outdoors and environment, and mostly about rivers, river running, and river conservation, including Field Guide to California Rivers and Field Guide to Oregon Rivers, which won the National Outdoor Book Award and the INDIEFAB Adventure Book of the Year, and was also the only guidebook ever to become a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. He lives in Port Orford, Oregon.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Part I Rivers of the Rockies x

Mountains and Rivers 3

The Nature of Rocky Mountain Rivers 9

Threats, Protection, and Restoration 25

To the Water 33

Part II River Portraits 40

Rivers of Colorado 43

Animas River 46

Arkansas River 50

Boulder Creek 55

Cache la Poudre 57

Clear Creek 60

Colorado River 63

Crystal River 69

Dolores River 71

Eagle River 74

Elk River 76

Green River 78

Gunnison River 82

Platte River, South 86

Rio Grande 89

Roaring Fork River 91

San Juan River 93

San Miguel River 95

Taylor River 97

White River 99

Yampa River 103

Rivers of Idaho 107

Big Wood River 110

Boise River 112

Boise River, North Fork 114

Boise River, Middle Fork 116

Boise River, South Fork 118

Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers 120

Clearwater River, Middle Fork and Main Stem 122

Clearwater River, North Fork 125

Henry's Fork of the Snake River 129

Lochsa River 132

Payette River 136

Payette River, North Fork 138

Payette River, South Fork 141

Priest River 145

Salmon River 147

Salmon River, East Fork 156

Salmon River, Middle Fork 158

Selway River 162

Snake River, "South Fork" 167

Snake River in Southern Idaho 171

Snake River in Hells Canyon 174

St. Joe River 182

Rivers of Montana 187

Bitterroot River 190

Blackfoot River 193

Clark Fork River 195

Flathead River 200

Flathead River, North Fork 203

Flathead River, Middle Fork 206

Flathead River, South Fork 210

Gallatin River 213

Kootenai River 216

Madison River 220

Marias River 224

Missouri River 226

Rock Creek (Clark Fork Basin) 230

Smith River 232

Stillwater River (Yellowstone Basin) 235

Yellowstone River 237

Rivers of Wyoming 245

Buffalo Fork (Snake River Basin) 248

Clark's Fork (Yellowstone Basin) 250

Firehole and Gibbon Rivers 254

Granite Creek 258

Green River 260

Grey's River 263

Gros Ventre River 266

Hoback River 269

Platte River, North 271

Shoshone River, North Fork 273

Snake River 276

Yellowstone River 281

Appendix: Whitewater and Long River Trips 285

Sources 288

River Index 289

About the Author 291

Editorial Reviews

As a conservation advocate, trip leader, and river ranger in Idaho and Wyoming for 20 years, I can tell you that Tim Palmer is a guide to be trusted. He knows these rivers with all the charms they offer and threats they face. This guidebook's going with me, everywhere. “

—Bill Sedivy, river ranger, paddler, and former director of Idaho Rivers United

“Tim Palmer has spent his life married to rivers, and his eloquence about that marriage has been of immense service to my own. Brilliant—as Tim's work always is—this book reminds us that our world, even in crisis, offers endless wonders of beauty and life.”

—David James Duncan, author of The River Why and River Teeth

“Field Guide to Rivers of the Rocky Mountains is an encyclopedia of essentials for paddling and streamside hiking, but far more than that with rich back-stories, natural history, and stunning photos. It inspires my next round of adventures here in Montana and throughout the Rockies.”

—Al Kesselheim, author of The Wilderness Paddler's Handbook and Let Them Paddle

“Whether you’re a seasoned river rat or new to the culture, this book is a must-have companion for your glove box and dry box as you explore the incomparable rivers of the Rocky Mountain West.”

—Mike Fiebig, American Rivers' Director of River Protection in Colorado, raft guide, and kayaker

From the Publisher