Hi I'm John Williams ready to take you on another Accessible Adventure In The Pacific
Northwest. We're here in historic Baker City Oregon it's the starting point of my first
visit to Hell's Canyon! Now a jet boat tour or a rafting excursion can certainly be part
of it, but Hell's Canyon is SO MUCH MORE! I'm excited to get started! Tanks full of
gas and I'm ready to hit the trail. Uh the Oregon Trail that is.
Heading out on the Hell's Canyon Scenic Byway, just a few minutes from Baker City is the
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, commemorating the pioneers who began
to settle here in the 1800's.
Back on the byway our next stop will be the Hell's Canyon Overlook it's about a two hour drive.
Along the way we pass through Native American Ancestral Lands, cattle country and historic towns.
For an eagles eye view, head up Forest Service Road 39 for a short drive to the Hell's Canyon
Overlook. That's Hell's Canyon on both sides of the Wild and Scenic Snake River and over
there across the canyon in Idaho the Seven Devils Mountains.
During the summer months US Forest Service personnel give interpretive talks and information.
Sit among the pines for a picnic. Get some exercise along this paved trail and use the
facilities before hitting the road.
We're headed out to the Hell's Canyon Visitor Center and boat launch at the beginning of
the designated Wild and Scenic River. There's a good chance you'll see a big horn sheep
mule deer or even a bear along the way.
At the Visitor Center learn the history of the dam see the exhibits and talk with the
folks from the US Forest Service and Idaho Power Corporation who work together to manage
this facility.
The boat launch below the dam is a popular place to enter the Wild section. Permit information
is on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest website.
Next we're off to Pittsburg Landing it's about 30 miles by river nearly 190 miles by car.
Just out of Whitebird we start our decent into Hells Canyon. After 20 miles of breathtaking
scenery we arrive at Pittsburg Landing a well known entry to the Wild and Scenic Snake River.
There's a clean accessible US Forest Service campground.
Nearby you'll find Native American Rock Art. This is one of dozens of rock art etchings
and paintings preserved in the canyon. No one seems to know exactly what story they
tell but estimates are that they go back thousands of years
Today, we're joining a US Forest Service River Ranger on his regular patrol. I'll board his
jet boat from the launch just below the campground.
There's no wheelchair accessible facilities here at Pittsburg Landing other areas have
accessible loading but check with the individual jet boat operator to make sure they can accommodate
your needs.
Shooting through this magnificent canyon the deepest in North America you can visualize
the alarm the early pioneers must have felt when they first laid eyes on it and how if
they could see us today they would truly think it's magic and just to think we do this for
recreation!
One of the most visited spots in the Wild section of the river is the historic Kirkwood
Ranch. It was a livestock ranch in the 30's it is now operated by the Forest Service to
welcome canyon visitors year-round. It was not accessible in my wheelchair chair but
with a little help I was able to see the ranch first hand.
Look into a jet boat tour or rafting experience . The US Forest Service partners with many
outfitters and guides in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
Well that's it from the Wild and Scenic Snake River in Hells Canyon. I'm John Williams I'll
see you real soon for another Accessible Adventure In The Pacific Northwest!