Northwest Explorer ONDAL ONDAL M M EN EN K K Left: Hiker at the boundary of Hell’s Canyon Wilderness. Right: Approaching Horse Heaven, elevation 8,100 feet on the Seven Devils Loop Trail in Hell’s Canyon Wilderness. June and July are good times to explore Washington’s southeast corner in the Wenaha-Tucannon area and in the nearby Hells Canyon area of Oregon and Idaho. Heaven in Hell’s Canyon Hiking two wilderness areas near Washington’s southeast corner By Ken Mondal finding places to backpack when the high jaw-dropping views. This hike can be country is snowed in. The Imnaha River done comfortably in 3-4 days. Seven Devils Loop in Hell’s is hikable virtually year round. An excellent description of hiking the Canyon is Heavenly On the Idaho side of the recreation Seven Devils Loop can be found in Hik- There is no question that the Grand area is a 215,000-acre wilderness area, ing Idaho by Maughan and Maughan, Canyon is one of the natural wonders which includes the Seven Devils Moun- published by Falcon. For the other hikes of the world. However, if one measures tains. The premier hike within this I would recommend Rich Landers’ 100 from the Snake River to the summit of wilderness is the Seven Devils Loop, a Hikes in the Inland Northwest. 9,393 foot He Devil Peak in the Seven rugged 29-mile round trip offering mag- Devils Mountains, this makes Hells nificent views into Hells Canyon many Choose Forgotten Wenaha- Canyon the deepest canyon in North thousands of feet below and equally Tucannon for Solitude America. Hells Canyon National Recre- incredible views of snow capped peaks The Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness ation Area covers an area of 653,000 acres of the Wallowas and the Eagle Cap covers an area of 177,000 acres, two on the Oregon and Idaho sides. Better Wilderness to the west. Just the drive to thirds of which is in southeastern Wash- known for its class V rapids, this rugged the trailhead from Riggins, Idaho is awe- ington with the remainder in Oregon. area also has world class hiking. some—climbing 5,400 feet in 17 miles This area is part of the Blue Mountains, Two excellent early or late season hikes to the lofty 7,600-foot Windy Saddle. a range of high, subtle mountains extend- are the 10-mile round trip Imnaha River I would recommend a high clearance ing from Washington and Oregon into Canyon Trail near the town of Joseph, vehicle and perhaps four wheel drive western Idaho. What this wilderness Oregon and the 10-mile round trip Snake for the last seven miles. The hike itself lacks in jagged peaks and high alpine River-Kirkwood Ranch Trail off U.S. stays between 7,000 and 8,000 feet the lakes it makes up for in solitude. Except Highway 95 near Whitebird Junction, entire route. There have been multiple during elk hunting season, one is almost Idaho. Both of these hikes can be ex- forest fires throughout the years in this guaranteed to find plenty of elbow room. tended to overnight trips. I always enjoy area, but this does not detract from the June 2007 WASHINGTON TRAILS Northwest Explorer I recall several multi-day trips where I snakes, however. My ONDAL did not see another hiker. wife nearly sat on one M EN Trail elevations range between 2,000 when we went off trail K and 6,000 feet. Ponderosa pine dominate to eat lunch beneath an the lower elevations, with lodgepole inviting shade tree. pine, larch, fir and spruce above 4,500 By late June, the feet. Large herds of Rocky Mountain elk high country opens thrive in this area, which subsequently up, allowing access to attracts more hunters than hikers. wide open ridge hik- Rattlesnakes are also plentiful, and you ing. One can reach may also see mule deer, white-tailed several trailheads from deer, black bears, coyotes, cougars and Pomeroy and Day- bobcats. This wilderness is named for ton, Washington. You’ll the two rivers that drain its peaks and find day hikes, such as subsequently flow into the Snake. the 6-mile round trip The Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness to 6,387-foot Oregon The author outside Oregon Butte lookout, reached by a has an excellent variety of hiking trails Butte with a Forest 6-mile round trip trail in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wil- ranging from lowland trails that follow Service lookout at the derness of southeast Washington. If you’re looking for the river drainages to ridgetop hikes summit that is still solitude in June, the Wenaha-Tucannon is the place to go. with expansive views. The hiking season staffed by volunteers in is also fairly long. For those Seattleites the summer. Or one can do the difficult temperatures can get in the 100s and itching to get out into the woods after a 40-mile Diamond Peak-Weller Butte water sources (by way of springs) can long winter, the river trails are generally Loop hike with 4,000 feet of elevation be miles apart. So it is wise to carry snow-free in May. A favorite early sea- gain. On the third day of this solo trip I an extra liter just in case. For further son hike (although fairly popular) is the broke my ring finger while crossing a wet details on these as well as hikes in the Wenaha River Trail, which is accessed log. Being alone I had no choice but to outstanding Eagle Cap Wilderness and from the tiny town of Troy, Oregon. One set the finger and splint it and continue Hells Canyon areas I would recommend can follow the river for a total of 22 miles hiking. I saw no one until returning to Rich Landers’ 100 Hikes in the Inland one way, thus making for a superb early my car. Northwest. season backpacking fix. Beware of rattle- One final word of caution. Summer Ken Mondal is a WTA board member from Spokane. ONDAL M Trip Essentials EN K Seven Devils Loop Hikable: mid July–late September Loop trip: 29 miles Elevation gain: 900 feet to Horse Heaven, elevation 8,100 feet More info: Riggins office, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, (208) 628-3916, www.fs.fed. us/hellscanyon. Oregon Butte Lookout Hikable: early June–October Round trip: 6 miles Elevation gain: 700 feet More info: Pomeroy Ranger station, Umatilla National For- A view into Hell’s Canyon, North America’s deepest gorge. The Snake River flows est, (509) 843-1891, www.fs.fed. more than a mile below Oregon’s west rim and more than 8,000 feet from the us/r6/uma. summit of Idaho’s He Devil Peak on the east rim. WASHINGTON TRAILS June 2007.