I had to check out one more scenic byway before I left Oregon. Hells Canyon is in the far northwest corner of Oregon along the border with Idaho.
I did not do the entire byway which is over 200 miles, but I started in Baker, OR and toured as far as the small town of Joseph, high in the Wallowa Mountains. In this picture along OR 86, you see the high desert landscape of eastern Oregon.
A roadside stop explains the "ribbons of green" that occur in the desert landscape.
The road winds its way through these sage-covered hills, until it descends to the Snake River at Copperfield/Oxbow.
This is another point of interest along the route, an area of the roadway that was covered by a massive landslide in 1984.
You can see where the old road once followed beside the Powder River below, and you can see where that road ends after the slide.
This is the main area of the slide, known as "Hole in the Wall." A detour was constructed higher up around the slide area.
Halfway to Hell? This small town is a small detour off the route. I did not stop, but I drove through. The Wallowa Mountains can be seen in the background.
They have a sense of humor here. This row of stick horses are lined up at the starting gate.
Some scenes from my drive-through of Halfway...
You do have to watch out for deer along the roadway. A lot of the does I've been seeing have twins.
I camped in a nice campground on the Snake River run by Idaho Power in Copperfield. Sprinklers run daily to keep the grass green. Don't leave your windows open when you leave...
My view from my campsite, looking toward Hells Canyon.
Wifi is provided by the phone company... 15 minutes a day free, or you can pay for multiple days. That's what I did, since I was here 5 days.
The bridge crosses to the Idaho side of the river and north to Hells Canyon Dam. I will do a separate post about that portion, and the Hells canyon Jetboat Adventure I did below the dam on the wild and scenic portion of the river.
There's a little roadside rest stop next to the campground entrance. It has some interesting history about the old town that sprang up around a copper mine, it's gaudy reputation, and the woman who "cleaned house."
This road is also part of a bicycle scenic route, and I found this bike fixit station a unique part of this rest stop. There's a bike pump and various bike tools attached to cables.
Fresh potable water is available too...
And the phone is important because there is no cell phone service here.
This notice let me know about some entertainment in the campground. Just pay attention to the "mountain time," because I was late and only caught the last two stories.
The next morning Thistle and I set off on Forest Road 39 on our way to Joseph. The road begins to climb immediately into the Wallowa Mountains.
View from a pull-off.
A short detour takes you to and overlook of Hells Canyon.
From here you get a good view of Seven Devils Mountains on the Idaho side of the River.
You can't see it from here, but somewhere down there is the Snake River which forms the boundary between Oregon and Idaho.
There are developed walkways and picnic areas at the overlook.
Hells canyon is the deepest canyon in North America, deeper than the Grand Canyon in places.
The road leading to the overlook from FR 39.
Back on the highway there were many more deer to be seen.
And other animals to watch out for...
Really!
This road is popular with motorcyclists, because of its curves.
You can see an area of old forest fire damage.
A view looking down in the valley as we approach the town of Joseph.
Farms in the valley with a backdrop of the Wallowa Mountains.
Oregon's largest wilderness area, known as Eagle Cap Wilderness, is in this area.
Joseph was named for the old Chief Joseph, leader of the Nez Perce tribe that once lived in these hills.
A bronze statue, honoring Chief Joseph, stands regally in front of the Visitor's Center.
Joseph has grown into a thriving arts community, and there is a notable bronze foundry in town. You pass many bronze sculptures just walking around town.
Originally a bank on the left, and a drug store on the right, these old buildings now house shops.
There are many downtown studios and art galleries which are fun to window shop.
A look down Main Street in Joseph. The bronze foundry is in the brick building on the right.
Thistle and I walked down one side of the street and back the other. We didn't go inside any buildings because I had the dog.
A mural on the side of a local watering hole.
The bronze foundry and gallery.
We couldn't go in...
But we could peek through the windows.
More art...
Deer walking through town.
Just outside of town is Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, a trail with interpretive signs through part of the ancestral homeland of the Nez Perce. It is considered sacred land.
"Iwetemlaykin" is a Nez Perce word that means, "at the edge of the lake," referring to Wallowa Lake. It is also near the burial place of Chief Joseph.
Views of the Wallowa Mountains.
It was here that this band of Nez Perce Indians gathered to begin a sorrowful journey in 1877, leaving their homeland. It would be hard not to imagine their feelings as they began a 1170-mile trek over the mountains to join other bands of Nez Perce in Canada.
Today, their descendants live on reservations in North America and Canada, as well as local communities. They continue to honor this sacred land.
This beautiful reflection is in a farm pond, built here by settlers who moved in after the Nez Perce had been driven out.
Chief Joseph's Gravesite, overlooking Wallowa lake.
Wallowa Lake is a deep-blue alpine beauty formed by glaciers between high peaks. At the other end Wallowa Lake State Park has a campground and a marina with boat, kayak, and SUP rentals. There is also a tramway that can take you to the summit of 8,200-foot Mt. Howard for sweeping views and some high-altitude hikes. Unfortunately, they don't allow dogs on the tramway, so we couldn't do that this trip.
Next time west, I will come back here, do more, and finish the byway tour.
Next up, the Hells Canyon Adventure!
