“Grand Canyon of the Snake River,” the Hells Canyon Corridor Is Known for Its Magnificent but Extremely Rugged Landscape

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

“Grand Canyon of the Snake River,” the Hells Canyon Corridor Is Known for Its Magnificent but Extremely Rugged Landscape 95 THE 12 HELLS 95 CANYON 95 CORRIDOR WHAT’S IT LIKE? Once called the “Grand Canyon of the Snake River,” the Hells Canyon corridor is known for its magnificent but extremely rugged landscape. Seven Devils Mountains There are few points of entry into Hells Canyon, so traveling in this corridor takes time and effort. Company road to Hells Canyon Creek. This Once there, however, visitors are rewarded with paved two-lane road twists through ranch land to indescribably beautiful scenery and exciting Oxbow Dam, where it follows the Snake River to whitewater on the wild and scenic Snake River. Hells Canyon Dam. At Hells Canyon Dam the There are unlimited opportunities for camping, road crosses to the Oregon side of the canyon and hiking or just admiring the ever-changing views. ends 1.5 miles at the Hells Canyon Creek Recre- ation Site. WHAT’S THE ROAD LIKE? Access to the Hells Canyon Wilderness in the Highway District Road 493, which intersects Seven Devils Mountains is from Forest Road 517 Highway 95 near White Bird and winds 20 miles near Riggins. The last seven miles was improved to Pittsburg Landing, is one of two Idaho access so that passenger cars are able to access the area. points to the Snake River in Hells Canyon. The The steep and winding single-lane gravel road is road is a single-lane gravel road with steep grades not recommended for RVs or vehicles towing and tight switchbacks. camping trailers. The other Idaho access point to the Snake River Since weather and road conditions change is County Road 71, which intersects Highway 95 quickly, it is strongly recommended that travelers at Cambridge and traverses 65 miles to call the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Copperfield where it meets the Idaho Power office in Riggins before beginning any adventure in Hells Canyon. # of M#ap # Crampground or Site Owne Units Pticnic Troile Wrate RpV/T Heooku Fee Accessibl 6d9 PSittsburg Landing Campgroun U8SF 2 •••• •• 7d0 SSeven Devils Campgroun U7SF •• 7k1 Wroodhead Par I0daho Powe 12 •••• • 7e2 HSells Canyon Creek Recreation Sit U0SF •• • •• 7d3 LSick Creek Campgroun U2SF 1 •• • • 7d4 OSllocot Campgroun U2SF 1 •••• • 7d5 LSake Fork Campgroun U0SF 1 •••• • 7p6 NSorth Pine Rest Sto U0SF ••• 8d9 PSapoose Campgroun U2SF •• 22 HELLS CANYON CORRIDOR Orofino 12 To Missoula y Nez Perce Peck Greer 11 Clarkston National We Lewiston Historical Park Clearwater Asotin ca H AT S T H E R E T O D O Hells Gate 95 12 WLol ’ ? State Park 162 RiverThe drive to Pittsburg Landing is an adventure Craigmont with a range of recreational opportunities as an 129 Nezperce .y Kamiahadded bonus. A stop-and-stretch turnout at IDAHO a Pittsburg S addle provides an ex cellent photo Anatone Winchester 162 y State Park Heartopportunity and a last chance to evaluate the road 95 of the Monsterconditions before descending into Pittsburg Land- WASHINGTON ing. The broad vista gives a first glim pse of H ells OREGON Cottonwood Snake C anyon. A t Pittsburg Landing, there is a boat Salmon . River a Grangeville launch area as well as facilities for cam pers, River hikers and stock users. F or a high elevation 221 Salmon wilderness ex perience on the Idaho side, a trip to 95 a Sou 50 H eavens G ate offers the sightseer a 3 6 0 -degree 3 oWhite Bird River a Battlefield panoram a, which includes the S alm on R iver White Bird country, the S even D evils M ountains and H ells 49 HELLS c 46 C anyon. S even D evils C am pground and hiking Imnaha River 493 a CANYON a trails in the H ells C anyon W ilderness are nearby. NATIONAL .a69 y 354 Trails are usually free of snow in early J uly. RECREATION Imnaha a AREA O n the O regon side of the H ells C anyon N ational 4240 Imnaha River 221R ecreation A rea, there are a m ultitude of Sawpit 241 c 350 Hat Enterprise Saddle 47 sightseeing, picnicking, cam ping and hiking Point a a48 70 89 y opportunities. The V isitor C enter in E nterprise a 727 a. Riggins provides inform ation about travel in the O regon Joseph 72 517 .c Heavens portion of the H ells C anyon W ilderness. F or a 39 Gate Hells whitewater ex perience, outfitted trips originate in Canyon 95 Dam C larkston, W ashington, at Pittsburg Landing, and 73 3955 at H ells C anyon C reek R ecreation S ite. Licensed a. 74 outfitters are ready to help the am ateur plan an a. adventure on the S nake R iver. R eservations with 39 outfitters m ust be m ade in advance. Perm its are 75a. req uired year-round for private river trips. c. 76 New Copperfield Meadows AN Y Q U E ST IO N S? 86 71 W here is the best view of H ells C anyon? To McCall To Halfway In addition to the p anoramic view at H eavens a71 G ate, there is a fine view of H ells Cany on from 95 OREGON Saw Pit Saddle. F rom Riggins , travel to this gras s y p arklike viewp oint is on F ores t Road 2 4 1 and then 71 onto Road 2 0 6 0 A . Saw Pit Saddle is ac c es s ib le to vehic les with high c learanc e. It is not rec om- mended for RV s or vehic les towing c amp ing Cambridge trailers. To Boise 95 23.
Recommended publications
  • Idaho Power Company's Fall Chinook Salmon Hatchery
    IDAHO POWER COMPANY’S FALL CHINOOK SALMON HATCHERY PROGRAM Stuart Rosenberger, Paul Abbott, James Chandler 1221 W. Idaho St., Boise, Idaho Background The current Idaho Power Company (IPC) fall Chinook salmon program was established to provide mitigation for losses associated with the construction and operation of Brownlee, Oxbow, and Hells Canyon dams which together form the Hells Canyon Complex. IPC’s current mitigation goal is to produce 1 million fall Chinook salmon smolts annually (see Origination of Idaho Power Company’s Hatchery Mitigation Program section for more details). Oxbow Hatchery, funded by IPC and operated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, is responsible for the incubation and rearing of up to 200,000 subyearling fall Chinook salmon. The hatchery is located on the Snake River downstream of Oxbow Dam near the IPC village known as Oxbow, Oregon (Figure 1). IPC also contracts with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) for the production of an additional 800,000 subyearling fall Chinook salmon that were originally reared at ODFW’s Umatilla Hatchery and are now reared at ODFWs’ Irrigon Hatchery, both of which are located near the town of Irrigon, Oregon. Fish reared at both Oxbow and Umatilla/Irrigon hatcheries are released into the Snake River directly below Hells Canyon Dam with the exception of brood years 2003 to 2005 in which some of the production was released at the Nez Perce Tribe’s Pittsburg Landing acclimation facility. Similar to other fall Chinook salmon programs in the Snake Basin, Oxbow and Umatilla/Irrigon hatcheries receive eyed eggs from Lyons Ferry Hatchery, as it is one of only two broodstock holding and spawning facilities for fall Chinook salmon in the Snake Basin.
    [Show full text]
  • (E.3.2-42) Shoreline Erosion in Hells Canyon
    Shoreline Erosion in Hells Canyon Gary L. Holmstead Terrestrial Ecologist Technical Report Appendix E.3.2-42 October 2001 Revised July 2003 Hells Canyon Complex FERC No. 1971 Copyright © 2003 by Idaho Power Company Idaho Power Company Shoreline Erosion In Hells Canyon TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. i List of Tables.................................................................................................................................. iv List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. v List of Appendices .......................................................................................................................... v Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4 2. Study Area.................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1. Location............................................................................................................................. 5 2.2. Political Boundaries .........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Hells Canyon Complex (FERC Project Number 1971)
    Evaluation and Findings Report: Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Hells Canyon Complex (FERC Project Number 1971) May 2019 Northwest Region 700 NE Multnomah St. Suite 600 Portland, OR 97232 Phone: 503-229-5696 800-452-4011 Fax: 503-229-5850 www.oregon.gov/DEQ DEQ is a leader in restoring, maintaining and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land and water. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 401 Water Quality Certification Hells Canyon Complex (FERC Project Number 1971) This report prepared by: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 700 NE Multnomah St Suite 600 Portland, OR 97232 1-800-452-4011 www.oregon.gov/deq Contact: Marilyn Fonseca 503-229-6804 Documents can be provided upon request in an alternate format for individuals with disabilities or in a language other than English for people with limited English skills. To request a document in another format or language, call DEQ in Portland at 503-229-5696, or toll-free in Oregon at 1-800-452-4011, ext. 5696; or email [email protected]. State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality ii 401 Water Quality Certification Hells Canyon Complex (FERC Project Number 1971) Table of Contents 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Requirements for Certification ............................................................................................................ 1 2.1 Applicable Federal and State Law ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Dams and Hydroelectricity in the Columbia
    COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN: DAMS AND HYDROELECTRICITY The power of falling water can be converted to hydroelectricity A Powerful River Major mountain ranges and large volumes of river flows into the Pacific—make the Columbia precipitation are the foundation for the Columbia one of the most powerful rivers in North America. River Basin. The large volumes of annual runoff, The entire Columbia River on both sides of combined with changes in elevation—from the the border is one of the most hydroelectrically river’s headwaters at Canal Flats in BC’s Rocky developed river systems in the world, with more Mountain Trench, to Astoria, Oregon, where the than 470 dams on the main stem and tributaries. Two Countries: One River Changing Water Levels Most dams on the Columbia River system were built between Deciding how to release and store water in the Canadian the 1940s and 1980s. They are part of a coordinated water Columbia River system is a complex process. Decision-makers management system guided by the 1964 Columbia River Treaty must balance obligations under the CRT (flood control and (CRT) between Canada and the United States. The CRT: power generation) with regional and provincial concerns such as ecosystems, recreation and cultural values. 1. coordinates flood control 2. optimizes hydroelectricity generation on both sides of the STORING AND RELEASING WATER border. The ability to store water in reservoirs behind dams means water can be released when it’s needed for fisheries, flood control, hydroelectricity, irrigation, recreation and transportation. Managing the River Releasing water to meet these needs influences water levels throughout the year and explains why water levels The Columbia River system includes creeks, glaciers, lakes, change frequently.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hells Canyon Dam Controversy
    N 1956, AT THE TENDER AGE OF THIRTY-TWO, Frank Church made a bold bid for the United States Senate. After squeak- I ing out a victory in the hotly contested Idaho Democratic pri- mary, Church faced down incumbent Senator Herman Welker, re- ceiving nearly percent of the vote. One issue that loomed over the campaign was an emerging dis- pute over building dams in the Snake River’s Hells Canyon. While Church and other Democrats supported the construction of a high federal dam in the Idaho gorge, their Republican opponents favored developing the resource through private utility companies. Idaho EVOLUTION voters split on the issue, and so, seeking to avoid a divisive debate, Church downplayed his position during the general election “be- of an cause it was not a winning issue, politically.”1 Senator Frank Church Although Church won the election, he could not escape the is- sue. Indeed, his victory and subsequent assignment to the Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs put him at the center of a growing controversy about damming Hells Canyon. Over the next eighteen years, Church wrestled with balancing Idaho’s demand for economic growth and his own pro-development beliefs with an emerging environmental movement’s demand for preservation of nature—in Idaho and across the nation. As he grappled with these competing interests, Church under- went a significant transformation. While Church often supported development early in his Senate career, he, like few others of his time, began to see the value of wild places and to believe that rivers offered more than power production opportunities and irrigation water.
    [Show full text]
  • Snake River Flow Augmentation Impact Analysis Appendix
    SNAKE RIVER FLOW AUGMENTATION IMPACT ANALYSIS APPENDIX Prepared for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District’s Lower Snake River Juvenile Salmon Migration Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Region Boise, Idaho February 1999 Acronyms and Abbreviations (Includes some common acronyms and abbreviations that may not appear in this document) 1427i A scenario in this analysis that provides up to 1,427,000 acre-feet of flow augmentation with large drawdown of Reclamation reservoirs. 1427r A scenario in this analysis that provides up to 1,427,000 acre-feet of flow augmentation with reservoir elevations maintained near current levels. BA Biological assessment BEA Bureau of Economic Analysis (U.S. Department of Commerce) BETTER Box Exchange Transport Temperature Ecology Reservoir (a water quality model) BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs BID Burley Irrigation District BIOP Biological opinion BLM Bureau of Land Management B.P. Before present BPA Bonneville Power Administration CES Conservation Extension Service cfs Cubic feet per second Corps U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CRFMP Columbia River Fish Mitigation Program CRP Conservation Reserve Program CVPIA Central Valley Project Improvement Act CWA Clean Water Act DO Dissolved Oxygen Acronyms and Abbreviations (Includes some common acronyms and abbreviations that may not appear in this document) DREW Drawdown Regional Economic Workgroup DDT Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane EIS Environmental Impact Statement EP Effective Precipitation EPA Environmental Protection Agency ESA Endangered Species Act ETAW Evapotranspiration of Applied Water FCRPS Federal Columbia River Power System FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FIRE Finance, investment, and real estate HCNRA Hells Canyon National Recreation Area HUC Hydrologic unit code I.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Snake River Fall Chinook Brood Origin
    Lyons Ferry Hatchery and Production of Snake River Fall Chinook: A Qualified Success Story. Mark Schuck Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lower Snake River Fish and Wildlife Compensation Plan - 1976 • Fall Chinook – 18,300 adults/year • Tucannon Spring Chinook – 1,132 adults/year to the river • Summer Steelhead – 4,656 adults/year to project rivers • In-place and in-kind (genetic integrity) • Resident fish – fishing opportunity – 67,500 angler days LFH Fall Chinook Production Goals (18,300 adults) • 9.16 million subyearling smolts (101,880 lbs) – about 90 fpp (80 mm) – expected smolt-to-adult return (SAR) of 0.2% • Idaho Power Co. mitigation for Hells Canyon Complex – for 1.3 million eyed eggs – due after LFH reached 80% of capacity • Program to be built from Endemic Snake Chinook Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Population and ESU Structure er iv R Missoula e wa ## s lear ter R WASHINGTON ou C al k C P r Snake River o Pullman o l # #Moscow F u m $LOWER GRANITE DAM N • One remaining b LOWER MONUMENTAL DAM Fall Chinook ia $ $ LITTLE GOOSE DAM er R R at rw i Tu ea r v c l e R a C iv e R n # L k a r e n k Lewiston o e s o h a lo e c Richland et River n r # n uch S C o Pasco S n L # $ o R T a population # ICE HARBOR DAM iv Fall Chinook ESU Kennewick er k e Walla Walla Walla Walla S R F R # de on C S MONTANA MCNARY DAM R l e e l $ e w n d a current fall ra r a G w y R R a ter R –Lyons Ferry Hatchery chinook spawning iv U e i r v m e at r il la# River Wa Pendleton llow historic fall a Sa R lm M i o genetics very similar to chinook spawning
    [Show full text]
  • 2012 Wild and Scenic Snake River Annual Visitor Use Report
    2012 WILD AND SCENIC SNAKE RIVER ANNUAL VISITOR USE REPORT HELLS CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA USDA FOREST SERVICE Introduction This report contains float and powerboat recreational use data for the Wild and Scenic Snake River, which is located within the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. This 71.5 mile segment of the Snake River is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Both commercial and private recreational use data is included. This data is intended to provide information, which reflects general trends in overall use patterns rather than an exact count of yearly users of the Snake River. Private and commercial floaters that launch from Hells Canyon Creek Recreation Site during the managed use season and all private and commercial power boaters must meet special requirements for access. As a result, use figures shown for these recreational user groups represent the most accurate figures for determining overall use trends on the Snake River. Private float and powerboat use data is collected from permits issued during the primary season, the Friday preceding Memorial Day through September 10th and self-issue permits during the remainder of the year. River permits are available at the following HCNRA portals: Cache Creek on the northern boundary, Dug Bar, Pittsburg Landing and Hells Canyon Creek Recreation Site. The data gathered from these permits is used to compile the total number of private visitors and service days spent on the river during the primary season. All commercial powerboaters and floatboaters must have a valid Forest Service Special Use Permit to charge fees on the Wild and Scenic Snake River.
    [Show full text]
  • Hells Canyon Archaeological District
    NPS Form 10-900 1024-0018 (7-B1) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register off Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form See instructions in How fo Complete National Register Forms Type all entries—complete applicable sections 1. Name i historic Hells Canyon Archaeological District and/or common N/A 2. Location street & number N/A not for publication Category Ownership Status Present Use x district public occupied _ X. agriculture museum building(s) private _ X_ unoccupied commercial park structure X both work in progress educational private residence site Public Acquisition Accessible entertainment religious object N/A in process yes: restricted government scientific N/A being considered X yes: unrestricted __ industrial transportation no military _ X_ other: recreation 4. Owner of Property name street & number city, town N/A N/A. vicinity of state N/A 5. Location off Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. street & number N/A city, town N/A state N/A 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Archaeological Suryey AND title Idaho State Archaeological Survey has this property been determined eligible? yes X no date 1972 X federal _X. state county local depository for survey records Idaho State Historical Society city, town Boise state Idaho 7. Description Condition Check one Check one X excellent _ ]L deteriorated _ 2L unaltered _ X. original site _X_good _ X_ ruins X altered N/A moved date _ N/A _3_fair _ X- unexposed Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance The Hells Canyon Canyon is known for its vertical extremity which reaches aclej3thc>fover^600(^^^^o^ces and exceeds that of the Colorado Grand Canyon.
    [Show full text]
  • PO Box 579 Coeur D'alene, Idaho 83816-0579 \ 800.451.6034 \ Fax
    PO Box 579 Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83816-0579 ⏐ 800.451.6034 ⏐ fax: 208.667.6506 ⏐ [email protected] Sharing Nature~Enriching Lives. Since 1979. SNAKE RIVER HIKE JOURNEY THROUGH HELLS CANYON In 1989, ROW Adventures pioneered the concept of raft-supported Idaho hiking and walking tours. Our walking trips and hiking vacations allow you to comforta- bly follow an isolated river's path on foot while a cargo raft carries your camp gear. You can enjoy the scenery and photograph wildlife, carrying only water and a small daypack. Each hiking trip is accompanied by one of our expert interpre- tive guides for area education and safety. Each day you hike between five and ten miles on wilderness trails that roughly parallel the river's course. Elevation on these trails is generally moderate. Hiking clubs, groups of friends and active boomers have all joined our Idaho hiking trips and experienced these superlative walking tours. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 2 AT A GLANCE 3 ABOUT THE REGION 4 TRIP EXTENSIONS 6 GETTING THERE"! 7 ITINERARY 8 SNAKE RIVE LORE 9 SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL! 10 TRIP DETAILS! 11 TERMS AND CONDITIONS! 13 WHY ROW AT A GLANCE DURATION 5 days INTENSITY Intermediate SEASON May, June and September MINIMUM AGE 12 BEGINS IN Cambridge, Idaho ENDS IN Lewiston, Idaho AIRPORT Begin: Boise, ID; End: Lewiston, ID TRIP DATES! Call for specific departure dates. TRIP COSTS! Starting at $1495 TRIP INCLUDES Services of our talented adventure consultants and pro- fessional guides, all meals/beverages as indicated in itinerary, transportation from Boise to Cambridge DOES NOT INCLUDE! Airfare/transportation beginning and ending points, van shuttle if you arrive in Boise after 4pm, gratuities, travel protection plan, pre-& post-trip hotel, items of a personal nature 2 IDAHO’S SNAKE RIVER Hiking the Snake River lets you experience the beauty of the deepest canyon in North America.
    [Show full text]
  • Hells Canyon)
    Snake River (Hells Canyon) Application Process: Launch reservations for the Friday before Memorial Day - September 10 (lottery control season), are assigned by the Four River Lottery System at www.recreation.gov. Lottery applications are accepted December 1 through January 31 annually. Results are announced February 14. Any declined or cancelled launch dates can be reserved by others. Successful applicants must confirm their reservation online at by March 15. Unconfirmed lottery dates are then released for reservation on March 16 at 8am MT. Self issue permits are required outside of the control period for private non-commercial floaters. These launch permits must be picked up at the launch site. Private powerboat reservations are also reserved online through www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777 beginning March 1. For more information: Private Powerboat Reservations Fees: $6.00 non-refundable application fee. Cancellation Policy: If you cannot make a trip, you must always submit a cancellation on the reservation system. You should send the cancellation no later than 15 days prior to your launch date to avoid any issues or being flagged as a “no show.” The 15-day advance notice requirement may be waived in cases due to extreme water conditions. Regardless, a cancellation must be submitted. Failure to provide timely cancellation will trigger a “no-show penalty.” This “no- show” penalty will impact your eligibility to get a permit for one year. If you do not show up on your launch date by 4:00 p.m., you will also be documented as a “No Show.” Change Policy: The permit is non-transferable.
    [Show full text]
  • (E.1-2) Geomorphology of the Hells Canyon Reach of the Snake River
    Geomorphology of the Hells Canyon Reach of the Snake River Steve Miller, CH2M HILL Dick Glanzman, CH2M HILL Sherrill Doran, CH2M HILL Shaun Parkinson, Idaho Power Company John Buffington, University of Idaho and Jim Milligan, University of Idaho (Ret.) Technical Report Appendix E.1-2 May 2002 Revised July 2003 Hells Canyon Complex FERC No. 1971 Copyright © 2003 by Idaho Power Company Idaho Power Company Geomorphology of the Snake River Basin and Hells Canyon CONTENTS Chapter Page Definitions...................................................................................................................................... xi Acronyms.................................................................................................................................... xvii Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................C-1 Preface..........................................................................................................................................C-5 1. Introduction and Geologic and Geomorphic History............................................................... 1-1 1.1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1-2 1.2. Current Physiographic Description .................................................................................. 1-3 1.3. Pre-Quaternary Geologic History....................................................................................
    [Show full text]