Hells Canyon Wilderness (Oregon and Idaho)

Infobox_protected_area | name = Hells Canyon Wilderness
iucn_category = Ib

---

caption =
locator_x = 44
locator_y = 36
location = Idaho-Oregon, USA
nearest_city = Halfway, OR
lat_degrees = 45
lat_minutes = 27
lat_seconds = 0
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 116
long_minutes = 40
long_seconds = 0
long_direction = W
area = convert|219006|acre|km2|0|sing=off
established = 1975
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = U.S. Forest Service
U.S. Bureau of Land Management

The Hells Canyon Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the U.S. states of Idaho and Oregon. Created in 1975, the Wilderness is managed by both the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service and contains some of the most spectacular sections of the Snake River as it winds its way through Hells Canyon, one of the deepest gorges on Earth. The Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984 added additional acres to the Wilderness, resulting in a total area of 219,006 acres. [http://www.fs.fed.us/hellscanyon/things_to_see_and_do/hells_canyon_wilderness/wilderness_information.shtml Wilderness Information] - US Forest Service]

Topography

The Oregon portion of Hells Canyon Wilderness is characterized by two steep breakland areas in excess of 60 percent paralleling the Snake River. These are separated by a benchland at mid-elevation between the river and canyon rim between Saddle Creek and Dug Bar. The dominant vegetation is native bunchgrasses and shrubs. Trees are scattered throughout the Oregon side of the Wilderness, but concentrated on north slopes and in stream bottoms - primarily Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The three topographic provinces are dissected by many drainages including Saddle, Temperance, Salt, and Sluice Creeks.

The Idaho portion of Hells Canyon Wilderness is characterized by three geologic-vegetative regions. The upper areas are alpine and subalpine with several lakes and geologic formations of glacial origin. Vegetation is sparse and broken by large areas of rock. The middle portions contain dense forests of larch, lodgepole pine, and true firs. Lower elevations are characterized by dry, rocky, barren, steep slopes breaking into the Snake River and its major tributaries. Trees are sparse, consisting mostly of Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. This entire area is dissected by several major drainages including Sheep Creek, Granite Creek, and Deep Creek.

Human history

Humans have historically used the Hells Canyon Wilderness area for farming, ranching and mining activities. Historically sheep and cattle have grazed this area of Northeastern Oregon since the 1730s as the Nez Perce grazed horses and cattle in the main canyons. By the 1800s homesteaders on the Oregon benchland were grazing sheep, cattle, and horses throughout the valley and canyons. Cattle grazing continues today in a small portion of the Wilderness, as permitted in the 1964 Wilderness Act, which allows some traditional activities to continue as long as wilderness values are not compromised. Some mining has also occurred, primarily on the Idaho side of the Wilderness.

Vegetation

A variety of vegetation grows in Hells Canyon Wilderness. Sagebrush and bunchgrass grow in lower parts of the canyon with deciduous bushes and trees along the numerous streams that run into Hells Canyon. Englemann spruce and sub-alpine fir grow at the highest levels of the Wilderness, with western larch, Douglas fir, and Ponderosa pine found between the two extremes. Prickly pear cactus and poison ivy are fairly common as well. [http://www.forwolves.org/ralph/wpages/hellscan.htm Hells Canyon Wilderness, Idaho-Oregon] - ForWolves.org]

Wildlife

Wildlife is abundant in Hells Canyon Wilderness. Black bear, cougar, elk, deer, mountain goat, chukar, and bighorn sheep are common. There have been reports, though unverified, of grizzly bear in the Wilderness. Reintroduced wolves in Idaho have at least passed through the area, and Peregrine falcon, bald and golden eagles can also be seen.

Wild and Scenic Rivers

Three National Wild and Scenic Rivers run through the Wilderness - the Snake, Imnaha, and Rapid Rivers. [http://www.fs.fed.us/hellscanyon/things_to_see_and_do/hells_canyon_wilderness/index.shtml Hells Canyon Wilderness] - US Forest Service]

nake River

convert|66.9|mi|km|0|sing=off of the Snake River, from Hells Canyon Dam 35 miles downstream, are designated Wild and Scenic. convert|32.5|mi|km|0|sing=off are designated "wild" and convert|34.4|mi|km|0|sing=off are designated "scenic." [ [http://www.rivers.gov/wsr-snake.html National Wild and Scenic Rivers System] - Snake River]

Imnaha River

convert|77|mi|km|0|sing=off of the Imnaha River from its headwaters are designated Wild and Scenic. The designation comprises the main stem from the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Imnaha River to its mouth, and the South Fork from its headwaters to the confluence with the main stem. In 1988, convert|15|mi|km|0|sing=off miles were designated "wild," convert|4|mi|km|0|sing=off were designated "scenic," and convert|58|mi|km|0|sing=off were designated "recreational," though only a portion of the Wild and Scenic Imnaha is located within Hells Canyon Wilderness. [ [http://www.rivers.gov/wsr-imnaha.html National Wild and Scenic Rivers System] - Imnaha River]

Rapid River

convert|26.8|mi|km|0|sing=off of Idaho's Rapid River from the headwaters of the main stem to the National Forest boundary, and the segment of the West Fork from the wilderness boundary to the confluence with the main stem, are designated "wild." The river contains three endangered fish species - chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout. [ [http://www.rivers.gov/wsr-rapid.html National Wild and Scenic Rivers System] - Rapid River]

Recreation

There are approximately 360 miles of trails crossing Hells Canyon Wilderness. The extensive trail system mostly follows old Forest Service access routes to fires, and stock trails used by ranchers to move livestock to remote salting areas and watering holes. Many routes follow ridges and traverse moderate slopes and benchlands, while others climb steep slopes. [http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_wilderness_area/or_hells.htm Hells Canyon Wilderness, Oregon] - GORP]

Prohibited activities

U.S. Wilderness Areas do not allow motorized or mechanized vehicles, including bicycles. Although camping, hunting, and fishing are allowed with proper permit, no roads or buildings are constructed and there is no logging or mining, in compliance with the 1964 Wilderness Act.

References

ee also

* List of Oregon Wildernesses
* List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
* Wilderness Act

External links

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