Anyone been to Hell's Canyon dam?

I am making a 2-day trip of the Hells Canyon/Wallowa Byway in a couple of weeks, primarily for photography. Can%26#39;t find much information about the road from Copperfield to Hells Canyon dam (which I believe follows the Snake River) and wondering how long it will take, and whether its worth the time in terms of scenery. I will be taking 39 over to Joseph and stopping at the Canyon overlook on the way, so this would be an ';extra'; spur on the journey.

If you%26#39;ve been there, I would appreciate hearing what you thought about it (or any other areas along the Hells Canyon byway)!

Kristen

Anyone been to Hell's Canyon dam?

I have been to Hells Canyon Dam by the road and up river by boat to point 25 miles below dam.

Hells Canyon is a hard place to see well. Best place is Hat Point which is very difficult trip. first 7 or 8 miles out of Imnaha is sustained 17% grade. Last time I was there rode with local guy in 4wd vehicle. We only looked at road did not get to Hat Point. though i was there several years ago.

It is over 30 mins to Hells Canyon Dam from Oxbow Dam. and then same back. If you are trying to get feel for canyon I would surlee drive to dam. View of Snake as it cascades below dam alone is worth it. the 30 min drive has a lot of similar terrain so maybe not a lot of photo ops, but still you can see how big canyon is. Road is mostly at waters grade so easy drive.

The Hells Canyon overlook off FS Rd 39 is worth a stop. Drive on out to McGraw Saddle also good, but i am not sure of condition of that road. You may want to check that.

I always enjoy the Imnaha River Road. It too is a deep canyon and road goes from forest to pretty bare hillsides by time you reach Imnaha. Several ranches are scattered along river. Most of it was gravel last time I was on it, assume it still is.

You miss part of Scenic Byway if you take Imnaha River Road..

You say two days. Is that two days all along scenic byway? which direction are you traveling? If you hit Enterprise first you can get some info about roads in Hells Canyon NRA there.

Anyone been to Hell's Canyon dam?

phirl, thanks much for the information. You have confirmed some things I had already heard, including that the Imnaha road is very pretty though the trip to Hat point not a good idea in my van!

Now that I know its an extra hour to go up to the Dam that will help me to decide once I get to that point in my day. I have not been a dam since I was a kid so the idea appeals to me.

I am staying first night in La Grande (coming down through eastern Washington), then traveling down to Halfway and across 39 ... spending that night in Joseph... next day shooting around the lake, Joseph, and going up on the tram, then heading east to Hood River area for the night.

I consider this a ';scouting'; trip, as I know many people who have been to the Joseph area and love it there .. I plan to come again for 3-4 days with my partner with me for a more thorough explore. This trip is just to get a lay of the land (and an excuse to get away with my camera for a few days!).

Do appreciate your input!

Actually maybe another 10 mins from FS Rd 39 to Copperfield or Oxbow dam as I called it. so could add up to an hour and a half to your day. As a minimum suggest you at least go to where road crosses the Snake into Idaho to see the size of the Snake River. the glimpses you can get from on top do not show the size.

On the way out of Wallowa Valley couple of stops I suggest. One where the clear Minam meets the less clear Wallowa, it has flowed though much farm land. Then there is turnout where road leaves Minam Canyon and heads on up the hill. Great view of Minam Canyon there, but be careful It is a bit of blind corner if you don%26#39;t do it right. It is worth it to go beyond and turn around.

The Lostine Riv Rd also has some good photo ops of cascading stream. Hurricane Creek nice too. sure you can%26#39;t spend another day there.

Imnaha River Road is memorable, section of Scenic Byway from Imnaha R to Sheep Creek is not. Pretty drive but not as memorable

phirl, can you give me an idea of the time involved in taking the Imnaha river road (3955) up to Imnaha and then taking 350 back down to 82, which I believe is the route you are talking about in the last post.

I cannot tell from the Byway map I have if 3955 is gravel or paved.

Sounds like this route might be more worthwhile than the spur up to Hells Canyon dam -- though looking at the map I would guess we%26#39;re talking at least a few hours?

It is almost 30 miles from where you would leave FS RD 39 to Imnaha. Imnaha to Joseph up Sheep Crrek and along scenic byway are about same distand, though Sheep Creek Rd may be a bit faster. 2 hours give or take from where you leave FS 39 along Imnaha River road to Joseph 60 miles or so. That does not count picture taking.

This has all been helpful and I appreciate it. I just have to accept that I won%26#39;t get to go everywhere and do everything on this trip! Especially with the camera along, because it does tend to lengthen the day. No doubt I will enjoy whichever roads I end up on!

Let me know what you do.

If your interested, try going up to the Nature Conservancy%26#39;s Zumwalt Prairie-beautiful area. It is a high plateau- beatiful views of Wallowas and Seven Devils and everything in between. If the Conservancy will let you, you can go up to the reserve via Crow Cr. Rd to Zumwalt-Imnaha Rd and then down through the property to Imnaha. This is a dirt road so probably would need a truck or somesort of vehicle like this. You can go to the NC website for more info. There isn%26#39;t another way to get down to Hells Canyon besides the conservancy road-so if you can%26#39;t get through you would have to back track...

I can%26#39;t remember how far it was back to Enterprise, but not very far~ 15miles.

Sorry- the road to the Conservancy land is public, but the road through the NC is private.

HI Kristen,

We had a vacation in the Hells Canyon area this spring. We loved it. The canyon and the scenic byway were amazing! I created a go list when we got back, of the incrediby scenic drives that we took while on our vacation. Part of that includes the area you are enquiring about. The area west of La Grande, in the Blue Mountains, is equally scenic.

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i2694-Great_Mot鈥?/a>

If you%26#39;re interested, you can email me and I can provide you with a link to view photos from our trip:

cantsleepclownswilleatme1965@hotmail.com

Have a great trip. I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll love the area!

- CG