Hells Canyon

We had skied the day before, but thanks to rain earlier in the week the coverage was pitifully thin. Perhaps a hike was in order? Ignoring the long drive potential, I suggested we go down to Hells Canyon and hike to Kirkwood Ranch (on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest).

We rolled at 7 and were on our feet around 10. Jet boats on the water.

I'm not sure what the temperature was, but judging by the frost on the ground and the ice in the dog bowl in the parking lot, it was below freezing. Where's our sun?

Dang it, it's in Oregon.

My memory does not recall concrete steps. Well, unlike my memory, these steps are concrete for sure.

The drop-off to the right is pretty normal for much of this trail. Not for the vertiginous or faint of heart.

But the scenery makes it all worthwhile. This is big country and hard to capture with a camera.

Here Art is looking touristy. But the point of the photo is the peak in the background, on the horizon.

That's Wild Horse Butte, which we climbed this past spring. I love it when my mental map connects up.

Back to today's ouevre. Not me,..... the scenery.

And finally, there's the flats of Kirkwood down there.

Yes, it's a steep drop. And that includes if you are following the trail.

What a spot! Craig wondered how anyone ever found such a place. Art speculated about the relation of sun and shade through the seasons, and their effects on raising crops. I shot photos.

One of the historic buildings. This one had been a cabin, then after moving was used as a blacksmith shop.

That one over there isn't quite as historic. But you get the picture about an arable oasis.

Craig spotted this feller on the cliffs above the ranchhouse.

Lots of zoom and not a lot of light, so he's a touch blurry.

Then, like the idiots we are, we decided that a 12 mile hike simply wasn't enough, and that we needed to go upstream to the next bend in the river. But that extra mileage put us in some solid sun and provided more views.

Well, duh! That pretty much continues all the way to Oxbow Dam.

One last look at sunshine on the river before the shade enveloped us for the remainder of our hike in Hells Canyon. No possesive apostrophe.

Special note: Just by chance (or perhaps totally related?) I happen to be reading a book sited in this area called Temperance Creek. Highly recommended. The video trailer for the book (wow- that's a first for me) nicely portrays the beauty of the area.

Home | 2020 | Back to top of page | Questions :: e-mail to splattski