Hells Canyon Campout Summer 2016

[Vedette]

Okay, who would be in for a Campout or Gathering in Hells Canyon sometime this summer??
As I don't know much about this corner of the State......I am starting this thread to research the possibilities.
Is this a family attractive area in the summer? Therefore very busy???
Should we be looking at June, while the kids are still in school??
Anyone know what facilities might be available????
Who might be interested?........should we be looking for a "Group Site".
What else could or should we see in that corner of the State??
Lets get some chatter going here!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[wildcatphotography]

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[S. Heisley]

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hells_Canyon

[tony.latham]

Is this a family attractive area in the summer?

Brian:

There's a reason it's called Hell's Canyon. Come summer, it's hotter than you know what.

I can't say I've spent many days in the canyon so I'm not the one to give up the gorge's inner secrets. It's beautiful in prime greenup and at that elevation (1300-2000') which will be April through May. The Boise population pounds the south end of that country on the weekends, less people on the north end.

You might toy with going into the Heller Bar country south of Clarkston, Washington. That's about eight or nine hours from me, BTW. The middle of Idaho can really get in the way.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wallowa-w ... rdb5238987

Tony

[Vedette]

Is this a family attractive area in the summer?

Brian:

There's a reason it's called Hell's Canyon. Come summer, it's hotter than you know what.

I can't say I've spent many days in the canyon so I'm not the one to give up the gorge's inner secrets. It's beautiful in prime greenup and at that elevation (1300-2000') which will be April through May. The Boise population pounds the south end of that country on the weekends, less people on the north end.

You might toy with going into the Heller Bar country south of Clarkston, Washington. That's about eight or nine hours from me, BTW. The middle of Idaho can really get in the way.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wallowa-w ... rdb5238987

Tony

Hi Tony
Yes, we have been up and down both sides (camped in Salmon.....camped in Lewiston) and can see that there is a blockade in between.
So where would you suggest???
Brian

[Vedette]

Thanks L
Good report!
We were wondering about the quality of the road thru the park to the north, and whether or not e would have to take the long way around???
Brian & Sandi

[wildcatphotography]

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[tony.latham]

I don't know what you mean by the park to the north, which park?

Hey, he's a Canook, eh?

Hey Brian: It's a damn canyon a real hot one. Legally, it's a National Recreation Area. So we don't call it a park. In fact, Idaho is the only state in the union without a national park. Go figure, eh? Heck we don't even know what the pro-cess would be. ; ]

The road would be fine from the Oregon side up to Heller Bar, but there's a lotta canyon without a road in the bottom. You could certainly grab a jetboat ride at Heller. There's gotta be some camps there. Google Earth it.

I'm certain that Wildcatphoto is going to know much more about that side of Idaho than I do.

T

[wildcatphotography]

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[martymcfly]

I used to camp frequently at Hells Canyon, I had a class c motorhome and a ski boat and used to ski there a lot. There are really 3 reservoirs, Brownlee, Oxbow, and Hells Canyon. Idaho Power has 4 campgrounds on the 3 reservoirs, all have water, power and showers and boat ramps. All have a rv dump on site. Lots of fishing, crappe, blue gill, catfish, bass and lots of carp. A rv space costs $16 a night. No reservations, first come first served. You will find lots of wildlife, everything from bear to eagles to rattlesnakes. My fovorite was Hells Canyon park campground because it has boat docks to tie up to or fish off of. The entire reservoir has wild blackberry bushes around most of it, usually ripen about mid July. The temp. us usually about 7 degrees warmer than Boise.

[robfisher]

The area around the towns of Bear and Cuprum and the Seven Devils east of the canyon are pretty wild. Not so much trailer stuff though. The best is all backpacking trails for hearty folk.

[Vedette]

It is starting to sound like an interesting place to camp?
Small town are "Wild"?????.......what did you mean by that? Just cool, or wild western, or hookers and blow????
Are you saying we should stay out of these towns.....or....are they a must see?
Trying to get a mental picture of what this adventure might have to offer????
Thank you to those that are adding to this discussion. Sincerely hope it peaks the interest of others.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[wildcatphotography]

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[Vedette]

Thanks L
I checked out your album.......nice pictures!
Brings back memories of our trip south with Ted last spring.
I will e-mail you some pictures.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[robfisher]

It is starting to sound like an interesting place to camp?
Small town are "Wild"?????.......what did you mean by that? Just cool, or wild western, or hookers and blow????
Are you saying we should stay out of these towns.....or....are they a must see?
Trying to get a mental picture of what this adventure might have to offer????
Thank you to those that are adding to this discussion. Sincerely hope it peaks the interest of others.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

No, don't stay out of them. They are very small towns that look about 125 years old...because they are. The mountains are high and rugged and the people who choose to live there aren't afraid livin'. The trails, the views, the lakes are amazing. Instead of wild maybe I should have said untamed. It's the kind of place you feel like you somehow time traveled back 100 years and then a UPS truck drives by.