General Information:
Hells Canyon National
Recreation Area (HCNRA) straddles the Snake River, forming
the boundary between Idaho and Oregon. The 652,488-acre recreation
area was created by an act of Congress in 1975. Although the HCNRA
includes portions of the Nez Perce, Payette, and Wallowa-Whitman
National Forests, it is managed by the Wallowa-Whitman National
Forest. The Hells Canyon Wilderness comprises nearly 215,000 acres
within the HCNRA.
About
67.5 miles of the Snake River in Hells Canyon National Recreation
Area were designated in 1975 as a component of the National
Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Here, the river is managed to
preserve its free-flowing character and unique environment while
providing for continued public use. The outstanding remarkable values
for which the river was designated include: scenic, recreation,
geologic, wildlife, fisheries, and cultural resources (historic
& prehistoric).
The 31.5-mile section of the river between
Hells Canyon Dam and Upper Pittsburg Landing is designated wild
under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This act defines wild as "free
of impoundments and generally accessible only by trail" representing
"vestiges of primitive America." The 36-mile section of
river downstream from Upper Pittsburg Landing to mile 180.2 is designated
scenic, which is defined as "free of impoundments with shorelines
and watersheds still largely primitive, and shorelines largely undeveloped,
but accessible in places by roads." An additional 4.2 miles
of the river from mile 180.2 north to the HCNRA boundary at the
Oregon-Washington line is recommended for scenic designation.
The Wild and Scenic Snake River corridor extends
approximately one-quarter mile back from the high water mark on
each shore. The river corridor itself is not wilderness and wilderness
regulations do not apply. Developed campsites and human-made structures
exist, and some motorized equipment is allowed. Some areas on either
side of the corridor, however, are designated wilderness, and are
closed to all mechanized travel. If you want to visit the wilderness
it must be on foot or horseback.
Although uncommon on most wild and scenic
rivers, powerboats have been used on the Snake River in Hells Canyon
for many years and Congress included specific language in the Hells
Canyon National Recreation Area Act which allows their continued
use.
Hells Canyon of the Snake River
The mighty Snake River winds its way
through Hells Canyon, the deepest river-carved gorge in North America.
At the mouth of Granite Creek, approximately seven miles downstream
from Hells Canyon Dam, the river elevation is 1,480 feet.
The canyon depth here is 7,913 feet when measured from He Devil
Mountain, towering over Idaho's Seven Devils range at 9,393 feet.
Above Rush Creek Rapids, Hat Point Lookout offers a spectacular
view of the canyon from 6,982 feet, the highest point on the Oregon
rim.
The perpetuation of this unique environment
is largely dependent upon you, the user. With a growing number of
visitors, thoughtful and appropriate behavior by all is essential
to the protection of the canyon's outstanding aesthetic and environmental
values. Techniques are discussed in this guide which can allow visitors
to enjoy the river to the fullest while preserving its fragile natural
and cultural resources. The challenge is to pass through the area
and leave no trace that you were there.
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area has
925 miles of trails, which provide outstanding opportunities for
hunting, fishing, backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking,
photography and many other recreational pursuits. The Snake River
National Recreation Trail extends 30 miles from Pittsburg Landing
to Butler Bar on the Idaho side of the Snake River. On the Oregon
side, the Snake River Trail (Trail #1726) parallels the river from
Dug Bar to Battle Creek, 45.5 miles. Both trails offer several loop
possibilities on side trails leading up to the higher elevation
bench and summit trails. Only about 12% of the National Recreation
Area is accessible by roads.
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Handling the Snake
Rafting and powerboating the rapids
of Hells Canyon is not recommended for the inexperienced or poorly
equipped. For floaters, portaging or lining through or around many
of the rapids is difficult if not impossible. For powerboaters,
open bows or overloaded boats are dangerous in rapids. It is strongly
recommended that prior to running these rapids you stop and scout
the water for the best and safest route. If you are at all uncertain
about your white water skills, go with an experienced professional
outfitter/guide service that is licensed on this river.
Rapids will change considerably with different
flows; some will become more turbulent and others will disappear.
Water flows may vary from 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) in summer
to 70,000 cfs or more in spring runoff. Since the river is
controlled by dams, flows can vary from day to day and even hour
to hour. You can obtain current and projected flow information by
calling Idaho Power Company's Snake River information line at (800)
422-3143.
International Scale of Rapids
Whitewater rapids are rated on a scale of
one through six, indicating the difficulty of each rapid at medium
water level. Remember that rapids can change radically as river
flows fluctuate. Be sure you know how to read the water, and
scout rapids from shore if necessary to find the best route.
Class I
Very Easy-small, regular waves and riffles;
few or no obstacles; little maneuvering required.
Class II
Easy-small waves with some eddies, low ledges,
and slow rock gardens; moderate difficulty, some maneuvering required.
Class III
Medium-numerous waves that are high and
irregular; strong eddies; narrow, but clear passages that require
expertise in maneuvering; scouting from the shore recommended.
ClassIV
Difficult-long rapids with powerful, irregular
waves, dangerous rocks, and boiling eddies; precise maneuvering
and scouting from the shore imperative; take all possible safety
precautions.
Class V
Very Difficult-long rapids with wild turbulence
and extremely congested routes that require complex maneuvering;
a danger to your life and boat and near the limits of navigation.
Class VI
The Limits of Navigation-rarely run; a definite
hazard to your life.
The Snake is a big river with power many river
users have never experienced. You must treat this river with respect;
your life depends on it. The river doesn't care!
The table below gives a summary of the ratings
applied to some of the important rapids in Hells Canyon at
both low and high flows.
Rapid |
Low Flow |
High Flow |
Wild Sheep |
IV |
V |
Granite Creek |
IV |
V |
Lower Bernard Cr |
IV |
III |
Waterspout |
IV |
III |
Rush Creek |
III |
IV |
Imnaha |
III |
III |
Wild Goose |
II |
III |
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Length of Trip
Floaters should allow two to three days
for the trip from Hells Canyon Creek Recreation Site to Pittsburg
Landing, and four to six days to Heller Bar, especially during low
river flows.
Power boaters should be aware that there is
no gasoline available at Hells Canyon Creek, Pittsburg Landing or
anywhere upriver from Heller Bar, WA. Be sure you have enough fuel
to complete the trip into and back out of Hells Canyon!
To help you plan your trip, the table below
gives some important reference points on the river and their distances
from Hells Canyon Creek Recreation Site (HCC), the Lewiston/Clarkston
Valley (L/C, at Hellsgate State Park), and Pittsburg Landing (PL).
Location |
River Mile |
From HCC |
From PL |
From L/C Valley |
|
|
|
|
|
Hells Canyon Creek |
247.0 |
0 |
32.6 |
104 |
Wild Sheep Rapid |
241.4 |
5.6 |
26.4 |
98.4 |
Granite Creek Rapid |
239.2 |
7.8 |
24.6 |
96.2 |
Rush Creek Rapid |
231.5 |
15.5 |
16.4 |
88.5 |
Kirkwood Ranch |
22.5 |
26.5 |
5.6 |
77.5 |
Pittsburg Landing |
214.9 |
32.1 |
0 |
71.9 |
Dug Bar |
196.2 |
50.8 |
18.7 |
53.2 |
Imnaha River |
191.7 |
55.3 |
23.2 |
48.7 |
Salmon River |
188.3 |
58.7 |
26.6 |
45.3 |
Cache Creek |
177.0 |
70.0 |
37.9 |
34.0 |
Heller Bar |
168.3 |
78.7 |
46.5 |
25.3 |
L/C Valley |
143.0 |
104.0 |
71.5 |
0 |
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