| Snake River - Hells Canyon |
| LOCATION - Oregon / Idaho border Route - Hells Canyon Dam to Dug Bar Distance - 50 miles Duration - 3 days Date - August 4-6, 2008 |
Overview
At just over 1,000 miles long and with an average discharge of 56,900 cfs at its mouth,
the Snake River, largest tributary to the mighty Columbia, has been host to many an
adventure over the course of its thousands of years of existence. From massive floods
produced by the failure of glacial dams, to lava flows, to Indian wars, to ill fated
exploration by traders, trapper, and gold miners, the Snake River has a vast collection of
material for many a good story. Rising high in the alpine meadows of Yellowstone
National Park, the Snake races downhill as it heads due south before flowing westward
through deeply incised canyons in southern Idaho’s high desert. Eventually the Snake
turns north and forms today’s border between Oregon and Idaho where it cuts through
the spectacular Hells Canyon.
By many estimates, Hells Canyon is the deepest river valley in North America, with Idaho’
s He-Devil Mounatin rising to an elevation of XXX and Oregon’s XXXX rising to XXX on its
western flank. Regardless of what you think about Hells Canyon’s distinction as North
America’s deepest canyon, it is without a doubt an incredible place. The bottom of the
canyon is characterized by desert like conditions, with scorching hot summers,
cactuses, and rattlesnakes living in an environment that receives less than 15 inches of
precipitation a year. Higher up the flanks of the canyon moisture is more common and
sparse forest can be found, while less than 30 miles away the Wallowa Mountains of
Oregon see over 40 inches of precipitation annually.
At just over 1,000 miles long and with an average discharge of 56,900 cfs at its mouth,
the Snake River, largest tributary to the mighty Columbia, has been host to many an
adventure over the course of its thousands of years of existence. From massive floods
produced by the failure of glacial dams, to lava flows, to Indian wars, to ill fated
exploration by traders, trapper, and gold miners, the Snake River has a vast collection of
material for many a good story. Rising high in the alpine meadows of Yellowstone
National Park, the Snake races downhill as it heads due south before flowing westward
through deeply incised canyons in southern Idaho’s high desert. Eventually the Snake
turns north and forms today’s border between Oregon and Idaho where it cuts through
the spectacular Hells Canyon.
By many estimates, Hells Canyon is the deepest river valley in North America, with Idaho’
s He-Devil Mounatin rising to an elevation of XXX and Oregon’s XXXX rising to XXX on its
western flank. Regardless of what you think about Hells Canyon’s distinction as North
America’s deepest canyon, it is without a doubt an incredible place. The bottom of the
canyon is characterized by desert like conditions, with scorching hot summers,
cactuses, and rattlesnakes living in an environment that receives less than 15 inches of
precipitation a year. Higher up the flanks of the canyon moisture is more common and
sparse forest can be found, while less than 30 miles away the Wallowa Mountains of
Oregon see over 40 inches of precipitation annually.
| Click on a blue link below to see pictures and a description from each part of the trip. |
