OMT with Pacific yew tree
Pacific Yew (Western yew) ~ family Taxaceae [Taxus brevifolia].
I had two old hiking guides covering the Rapid River and West Fork of the Rapid River hikes. One book mentioned that in the canyon you could find the eastern most growing Pacific Yew tree, so I read up on what they looked like and was keen to find one on our hike.
I had heard about the cancer fighting agent (taxol) that came from the yew trees but beyond that I knew almost nothing about them. So here is some trivia for you:
Most parts of the tree are highly poisonous. Range animals have been found dead right next to the trees after they had consumed the needles of the tree. Deer on the other hand, are immune from the toxin (taxanes) and relish browsing on the trees.
The wood is extremely stout and has long been sought by early man for the making of bows (The famous Ice Man found in an Alp glacier had a bow made of yew). Canoe paddles were also a favorite item made from yew wood.
Because of the cancer fighting agent found in the yew the Pacific Yew is or was listed as an endangered species. Now they have found how to produce the cancer fighting agents in a semi-synthetic fashion using cultivated yew trees, so hopefully nobody will be out removing the precious few yews still found in the wild.
Their bark looks like a cross between the scaling bright red bark of a madrona tree and the stingy bark of a cedar. The needles grow flat an opposite like hemlock. The evergreen branches and forms twisted trunks unlike most others. When we spotted our first Pacific Yew on this hike, there was no doubt about what we were looking at. Later we noticed more of them growing right at the water’s edge obviously they are tough enough to stand occasional flooding (in the 1970s heavy floods on the Rapid River wiped out all the man made bridge crossing on the trail).
There are 20 species of yew to be found around the world and we were happy to have the good fortune to encounter just one of those, growing far east of its normal range, doing well in an Idaho river canyon. Long live the Taxus brevifolia ~ the Pacific or Western Yew.
The hike from the Fish Hatchery trail head up to the West Fork of the
Rapid River:
I really enjoyed the “character” of the Rapid River trail up to the West Fork. There are enough ups and downs to give different leg muscles a work out and when you are up high above the river you can scan the upper reaches of the canyon wall (and you can also carry on a conversation). Then you find yourself right up against the river and the trail is at river levels at times. We encountered a few places where the trail was covered with the overflow of the high running river.
The constant thundering and roar of the river while hiking the river bank portions of the trail is difficult to describe. You hear it and you feel it. Conversation isn’t possible without shouting at the other person. It is cool next to the river hiking under the trees and through the thick canyon bottom vegetation. We did see some poison ivy in several places and in one place, hemming in the trail. We got some good information at the National Forest office in Riggins, including some informative information about poison ivy and poison oak.
I learned a lot about how the rash producing oil can be carried for a long time in clothes and even hiking boots and the problems it present forest workers.
We hike about four miles from the new trailhead and found a rock cliff peninsula overlooking both the main Rapid River and the West Fork of the Rapid River (large creek sized, but flowing fast). It was a beautiful place to enjoy our trail snacks and take in the view. A ponderosa pine provided shade for me (my wife ALWAYS out in the sun) and a good place to turn around for the day.
There were only two small campsites between the trailhead and the West
Fork. Neither would be that desirable unless darkness overtook you.
The guide books mention much better camping areas up the main Rapid
River from the confluence with the West Fork, as well as some sites up
the West Fork too. Be prepared to camp close to either the river
and/or the trail though. The canyon is fairly narrow and steep with
lots of brush and trees along its banks.
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My wife and I took a three day road trip to the Snake River canyon
area where Washington, Oregon, and Idaho meet. The highlight of the
trip was a 9 mile round trip hike up the Rapid River near Riggins,
Idaho.
If you want to read the details of this many road trip ~ open the narrative included with the flickr photo set:
Comments and faves
Janice L (12 months ago | reply)
It would be amazing if we knew all the healing possibilities of the wild plants that grow in our own backyard.
oldmantravels (12 months ago | reply)
Janice - it certainly causes a pause for thought: the next species of animal or plant that we wipe out of existence on our planet, might just be the key to a cure for something like....cancer. We are our own worst enemy. OMT