If you are traveling in this area, I can highly recommend this company. No matter what level of adventure you desire, they have one for you: http://www.hellscanyonadventures.com/web/ We are doing the Granite Creek tour.
This is the reservoir behind Hells Canyon Dam. A series of 3 dams along the Snake River provide hydroelectric power and recreation opportunities along this scenic byway.
From this overlook you can see the road as it winds alongside the reservoir...sometimes high above, and sometimes down low.
A covey of Chukar, a partridge-like bird among the rocks beside the road.
An osprey fishing below the dam.
You cross over the top of the dam and descend to the water on the other side.
You park at the Visitor Center and descend the stairs to the boat launch. (There is a roadway for handicap access.)
Our jet boat awaits.
They start by taking us up to have a look at the dam and learn about its history.
The diversion tunnel that was used to divert the river while the dam was being built.
And then we're off!
The first set of rapids we encounter right away is a Class II, we are told.
In the jet boat, it was hardly a bump. I imagine it would be a bit more thrilling in a raft.
There are rapids up to Class IV in the canyon, and we will go through one of those. They reach Class V in the early spring with the snow run-off.
Our guide expertly maneuvers around the large rocks in the river.
This was an exciting rapid, with a big splash going through.
We stopped at a small beach just past the rapid to be served lunch.
There is a small calm cove here.
And we were invited to swim if we wanted. The water is 70 degrees.
There were a few waders.
The white line shows the high-water mark during the spring.
The canyon cuts between two mountain ranges, formed by the collision of two tectonic plates. This lava rock is on the Oregon side of the river.
After lunch, we continue down the canyon through several more sets of rapids.
There are no more dams, the Snake River is designated a wild and scenic river from below the Hells Canyon Dam to it's mouth at the Columbia River. The river flows north.
Looking back at the rapid we just came through.
There are some calm places.
The guide points out an old homestead site on the Oregon side of the river. Someone built a small cabin here, raised some cattle, and a family here in the canyon, back in the last century. To get supplies, they had to climb out of the canyon and go over the mountains to Joseph and back. Bet they didn't do that often.
They chose this spot because of a small creek that flowed down from the mountains.
The small cabin is still there at the bottom of that rock scree.
Someone is pointing to a bear on the Idaho side. I took this picture before I could see it.
He saw us too, and started moving.
But he took his time climbing over the rocks along the bank, and everyone was able to get good pictures.
This is a young black bear.
He has a blond spot on his back and on his chest.
Impressive claws. He was probably fishing for salmon which come up this river.
This is the pool just before the Class IV rapids.
Everyone was instructed to don life jackets. I already had mine on...vestiges of my US Power Squadron training. A pfd under the seat won't help you in a sudden life-threatening boating emergency.
Here we go... I judiciously changed my seat from the side to the middle to protect my camera and hearing aids.
Want to go through with us? Click on the video.
Looking back at the rapids.
And this is the seat I vacated. The man next to me was fully drenched.
That was fun!
There are some Chukar that live down here too. They don't fly far, but they can climb the cliffs very fast.
These rafters are camping in the canyon overnight...another adventure you can have. You can see their tents set up above.
They are fishing and swimming.
There is a rainbow in the spray.
We come to the mouth of Granite Creek, the deepest spot in the canyon at 1.5 miles deep.
Granite Creek begins high in the Seven Devils Mountains and falls over 7,913 feet to the river.
Granite Creek
This was also our turn-around point. There is an all-day tour that goes farther, and overnight trips are also available.
So back up the river we go.
Back through the rapids.
This boat was about to go through the Class IV rapids, so we stopped to watch them. The guide is closing the front windows, lol.
Watch them with us...click on the video.
Afternoon light on the canyon walls.
A great way to end a summer in Oregon! Thanks to all my friends and family who told me to go here, lol.
