Posts Tagged With: Hells Canyon

Cascade, ID Sept. 19

Finally, we have decent Internet. Not knocking the last locations, we chose them for the area’s scenic beauty and accessibility to planned activities. However, it did make preparing the blog practically impossible. We are now in Cascade, Idaho at a Hilton property with excellent Internet. Hotel NoBo. I believe the NoBo stands for northbound, which seems to be a marketing phrase for this area.

But the big item for recording is Monday’s activity of a jet boat ride down the Snake River. The Snake River has the deepest river gorge of any in North America at 7,993 feet. In comparison, the Grand Canyon is measured at 6093 feet. Zion Canyon at 2640 feet. The New River gorge in West Virginia is only 1600 feet. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is about 2722 feet. The Salmon River in Idaho is rated over 7000 feet.

We only had to drive 10 minutes to reach Killgore Adventures, the people running the jet boat ride. We got there early in order to sign our life away on their liability waiver form. There was an option to drive to the landing site or to take a shuttle. We chose to take the shuttle.

To reach the starting point on the Snake River, the shuttle had to go up several thousand feet in elevation on narrow, curvy roads. Then it went back down that several thousand feet plus some extra in order to reach the river. It was nice to be able to sit back and observe the scenery and not worry about driving off the cliff. It takes about 45 to 60 minutes to make the trip from the river to Killgore Adventures and vice versa.

This was an actual steel hulled boat, not a raft or a pontoon. Big engines allow the boat to blast up river at 32 miles an hour and down river at 40 mph. The boat starts from Pittsburg Landing, goes 30 miles up to Hells Canyon Dam. The ride back on the river is faster and splashier since the dam releases more water in the afternoon to generate more Hydro power when it’s needed. The boat ride is 30 miles one way and it goes through two sets of class four rapids and several of class three.

Our boat held about 28 people. We had 16 passengers and two crew. Plenty of room to sit. Although, there was no ability to avoid waves when they came flying over the sides of the boat. And yes, we did get soaked.

Our pictures are not dramatic. The boat ride is bumpy and there are railings for safety that interfere with the view. Plus, you really don’t want to lose your camera or phone when you hit a bump or there’s water on the floor of the boat. Safety first.

On the ride up, you make two pit stops. One is viewing a small museum along the river that’s part of a historic ranch. We learned that these river ranches were established long ago and still get mail service once a week by a mail boat out of Lewiston Idaho. There are only a few private properties left along the river as most of it was purchased to be part of the national recreation area, or were consumed by the multiple dams built along the Snake river. The Snake actually has 22 dams between its headwaters and its confluence with the Columbia.

Lunch is at the visitors center of Hells Canyon Dam. Killgore provides very nice box lunches and it was a refreshing break from the bumpy ride. The visitor center also has some exhibits and films about the dam, its construction, and the area.

As mentioned, the ride back is faster and designed to be more exciting. Oh, and wet. There are rocks in many sections of the river, and the jet boat works its way around the rocks and the rapids and the shoreline. It really was pretty thrilling. Oh, and wet. Luckily, we were wearing sandals and clothes that would dry out quickly on the way back.

Several years ago, we did a jet boat ride on the Rogue River in Oregon. On that ride, we chose a seat a little higher up and got soaked . On that trip, I lost a hat and had to get a new camera as the one we were using got completely wet and did not function. We chose a seat this time that was forward-looking, not sideways; it was supposed to be a little smoother. Didn’t make any difference, we got wet, soaked. We would do it again.

That was Monday. Sunday was basically church and a scenic drive from Ontario OR to the Steelhead Inn. We made a side journey to the Brownlee Dam and Reservoir along the Snake River. This also involves a curvy, hilly ride down to the dam, but not as bad as the one for the Hells Canyon boat ride.

Today, Tuesday, was scenic driving again along with a stop at a cultural museum that explained the heritage of this region. It was presenting information about Native Americans, European Americans, Mexican Americans, and Japanese Americans. All four groups came here under different circumstances and had varying acclimating experiences.

One specific European American group discussed was the Basque from the Pyrenees region of France and Spain. We knew the Basque were heavily involved in the sheep raising business here. However, it was not because that’s their skill set from back in Europe. The Basque were generally involved in sailing and shipping. When they arrived here, the only jobs available were in the sheep herding and raising business. So they took those jobs.

This northern section of Idaho is heavily forested and mountainous. The scenery is spectacular and we are getting used to small towns, curvy roads and cattle roaming on the road. There are usually creeks or rivers running alongside the roads. Given that roads are narrow and two lane, we aren’t able to stop frequently for a photo op.

Most of the towns are small with populations ranging from 150 to 3000 people. At breakfast this morning the proprietor was explaining how three restaurants in town have closed and most hotels have changed owners. There’s plenty of business, the problem is sufficient staff to keep the restaurants open. Most restaurants are closed 2 to 4 days per week.

Ed and Chris, Cascade ID Sept.19 Happy Birthday Jude.

Sidenote. We mentioned Lava Beds National Monument in an earlier post. I forgot to mention that the Antelope wildfire of 2021 also caused significant damage to Lava Beds. Thus three of the national parks we visited recently have been heavily impacted by wildfire.