Hells Canyon Scenic Byway ---- SR-86 from Baker City to Hells Canyon and a 23-mile drive north on SR-39 from the intersection of SR-86 and SR-39 to a scenic overlook of Hells Canyon

This scenic drive took us through the small towns of Richland, Halfway and Oxbow, along SR-86.

June 16, 2007.

We are staying at Mountain View Travel Park in Baker City. $24.79 FHU, shade and a nice enough RV-Park. It must be a former KOA since they charge extra for everything, $2 extra for wifi, $ 2 extra for larger sites, you get the picture.

This was our day to check out Hells Canyon. It is a 90-plus mile drive, one way, from Baker City. I do not know what your idea of eastern Oregon is but let me tell you it is totally different from Portland and the Cascade Mountains along the coast.

Eastern Oregon is an extension of the great desert. However, things change often and rapidly. Eastern Oregon is a region of contrasts, as in hills, mountains and valleys. These changes in elevation create changes in vegetation.

Mountains play host to a variety of evergreen trees, quaking aspen, and other plants that respond to more water and cooler temperatures.

Powder River along SR-86 east of Baker City, Oregon

At lower elevations eastern Oregon is extremely dry as evidenced by these pictures. Note that vegetation is only flourishing in the riparian area along the Powder River. Often outcrops of lava from long extinct volcanos are visible.

Geologic "intrusion" or dike of igneous rock

This is an example of a dike or intrusion. Long ago deep within the earth liquid magma was trying to make its way to the surface. In doing so it was pushing up and breaking the layers of earth above it. As the earth above it cracked the liquid magma would "intrude" ito the crack creating a dike. What we see here is where the softer material that was "intruded" long ago has eroded away leaving the basalt (former magma that cooled and became solid while underground).

"Hole-in-the-Wall" landslide

This picture is of a landslide -- the "Hole-in-the-Wall" landslide that occurred in September of 1984. The landslide covered SR 86. By the way we are standing on SR 86 taking these pictures. Because the landslide covered SR 86 hundreds of local residents in communities east of here were isolated. The slide also blocked the Powder River, creating a half mile long reservoir.

I do not know what was done to clear the debris blocking the Powder River. I also do not know if they moved SR 86 to this location. It certainly does not appear that debris was cleaned off this location so I would suppose that the current road was moved up here to a higher location.

If you are interested in other landslides covered in our travels here are some links:

The Gros Ventre Slide near Jackson, Wyoming & Grand Teton National Park

The Yellowstone earthquake of 1959 also knows as the Hebgen Lake earthquake & slide near West Yellowstone, Montana

Slides from our travels

Oregon fence material

Oregon uses contraptions such as this for fence posts especially along corners of property.

Valleys along river banks provide lush pastures for cattle.

A mowed hay field with the hay raked into rows for drying.

Reservoirs hold and distribute water that is used for agriculture in suitable areas. Hay is one of the major crops. Note that the desert starts where the irrigation stops. Trees are visible where irrigation is available. Sagebrush is what grows in areas where there is no irrigation.

Old barns like this are minders of other times in this valley.

Brownlee Reservoir on Powder River in Oregon

As large as this field is the farmer on that tractor will be mowing for several more days before he starts raking and baling.

Irrigation is responsible for creating these lush pastures. That is Brownlee Reservoir on the Powder River near Richland, Oregon.

Brownlee Reservoir near Richland, Oregon

Brownlee Reservoir near Richland emphasizes that eastern Oregon is truly a desert. Look closely at the hill on the far side of the reservoir. Sage brush is all you see other than sparse brown grass on that hillside.

Desert surrounding Brownlee Reservoir near Richland, Oregon

Although you can see water in Brownlee Reservoir you do not see the first tree anywhere.

We took this picture from the summit on SR 86.

Barn in Halfway, Oregon

This barn near Halfway is typical of many in the area.

We stopped to read this kiosk in Oxbow a small Oregon community on the Snake River at the south end of Hells Canyon. If you are looking for "Homestead" on a map you probably will not find it but what remains of it is located on the Snake River one mile north of where SR-86 ends at the Snake River. Take the time to read this story. It is a good one and I guarantee you will like it. Something tells me Miss Hobbs was a red-head. VBG

Homestead, Oregon and Copperfield: "Gomorra on the Snake"

Contorted solid rock along a geologic fault

Geologic uplift, probably along a fault line, has created this contortion of the solid rock

We turned off SR 86 to visit Oxbow Dam on the Snake River. We were not able to visit the dam but we did get this view of some awesome geology on the opposite bank. Enormous forces have contorted these rocks into awesome shapes.

Geologic intrusion or dike that was causing the solid rock to contort

This is another look at that rock formation on the opposite bank. It looks to me like lava flows that covered this area millions of years ago were uplifted and bent by a later intrusion of molten rock.

Geologic faults and intrusions have extensively contorted this rock

This is a final view of the contorted rock formation. It is places like this that I want my own professional geologist to stand by and explain what created this.

Snake River in Hells Canyon

We crossed over the Snake River into Idaho and continued following the river north. Note that the Snake River here is a reservoir created by the Hells River Gorge Dam 30-miles north (down river) of here. Desert conditions still exist even though there is plenty of water in the Snake River Reservoir.

Imnaha River along National Forest Road 39 in Oregon

Back on the Oregon side of the Snake River we turned off SR 86 onto National Forest Road 39 and headed to a Hells Canyon overlook 29-miles from the intersection of SR 86 and NF 39. We started climbing a mountain range following Imnaha River. As you can see it did not take us long to climb out of the desert environment into this evergreen forest.

Ponderosa Pine

At this elevation we are in an evergreen forest but as you can see we are looking down into Hells Canyon that is surrounded by rugged desert. While you can not see the Snake River from this overlook it is out there in a steep canyon with 1,000 foot walls. The grey wave you see on the mountain wall in the distance is a layer of limestone that was laid down in an ancient ocean that has been uplifted and contorted by mountain building forces deep in the earth.

Hells Canyon on the Oregon side

Is this the camas made famous by Louis & Clark?

Meadows and open areas at altitude were full of this flower that looked like it might be the Camas that produced the roots that Indians used to trade to emigrants on the Oregon Trail that were yearning for anything different in their diet. If anyone know what this plant is please let me know.

Hells Canyon Overlook in Oregon

We are at the Hells Canyon Overlook only we can not see the Snake River and can only guess where it is in this vast wilderness.

Hells Canyon Overlook in Oregon

For all I know Hells Canyon is at the bottom of this gorge.

Hells Canyon Overlook in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area of Oregon

We are taking pictures from this overlook.

View from Hells Canyon Overlook in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area of Oregon

One last look at the rugged country surrounding Hells Canyon.

Click here for more Oregon Travel Adventures

Until next time remember how good life is.

Mike & Joyce Hendrix