The Pacific Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus formosus) is a treasure that some of us have delighted in eating, and even fewer have indulged in foraging for themselves.

Relieved to have found the trail, we were feeling good again back on track. But soon, we’d be facing even more obstacles, patches of snow, and—even more snow.

Even though some of our machines rode with quirks and limits, together, we traveled hundreds of miles, conquered storms, dirt roads and trails, craters, and lava fields, and returned home with memories richer than anything money could buy.

To hike, ride, drive, float, wade, swim, or fish the North Middle Fork is to live something special. It’s to step out of our beeping, buzzing, ringing, streaming, trending grind and into life that reminds you why free rivers and tall trees and wild things matter.