Hells Canyon
At 9:00 a.m. we took seats on two jet boats for a 60-mile journey up the Snake River into the Hells Canyon region. Under blue skies we journeyed at high speed up this magnificent river valley. As we zoomed upriver our skilled drivers pointed out geological and historic sites. After a short time the high basalt cliffs gave way to older rocks that we learned were not originally part of North America. There were unsuccessful attempts by early settlers to mine the region and to move goods by steamboat. An abandoned tunnel and the remnants of a stamp mill demonstrated that the Western mining rush, which meant so much to the development of the region, in this instance was a failure. We also passed dozens of boats filled with eager stealhead fishermen, and several of these smiling anglers showed us fish weighing from 10 to 15 pounds. The stealhead run has been much greater than average during the past two years, despite an overall decline in fish runs since construction of the region’s dams. The fishing industry has stimulated the local economy. The region’s varied and attractive geology stimulated speculation and thought.
Many of us searched the skies for birds and the shores for wildlife. We were rewarded with sightings of golden eagles and, at one lower rock tier; three mule deer calmly watched travelers take pictures. At another place big horn sheep climbed a distant mountain. Our drivers, who pointed out locations where proposed dams would have blocked the river’s free flow, easily negotiated the swift flowing river and white-capped rapids. Having witnessed a part of this spectacular canyon, many of us expressed great pleasure that Congress rejected these proposals.
After enjoying a fine box lunch on a remote beach, the return trip was rapid and the boats returned our home on the Sea Lion in the late afternoon. The day was capped of with a trip up to the Nez Perce National Historic Park site, a few miles from Lewiston, Idaho. Here we were greeted by a park ranger and saw a film on the history of the Nez Perce people, who were so helpful and important to Lewis and Clark.
At 9:00 a.m. we took seats on two jet boats for a 60-mile journey up the Snake River into the Hells Canyon region. Under blue skies we journeyed at high speed up this magnificent river valley. As we zoomed upriver our skilled drivers pointed out geological and historic sites. After a short time the high basalt cliffs gave way to older rocks that we learned were not originally part of North America. There were unsuccessful attempts by early settlers to mine the region and to move goods by steamboat. An abandoned tunnel and the remnants of a stamp mill demonstrated that the Western mining rush, which meant so much to the development of the region, in this instance was a failure. We also passed dozens of boats filled with eager stealhead fishermen, and several of these smiling anglers showed us fish weighing from 10 to 15 pounds. The stealhead run has been much greater than average during the past two years, despite an overall decline in fish runs since construction of the region’s dams. The fishing industry has stimulated the local economy. The region’s varied and attractive geology stimulated speculation and thought.
Many of us searched the skies for birds and the shores for wildlife. We were rewarded with sightings of golden eagles and, at one lower rock tier; three mule deer calmly watched travelers take pictures. At another place big horn sheep climbed a distant mountain. Our drivers, who pointed out locations where proposed dams would have blocked the river’s free flow, easily negotiated the swift flowing river and white-capped rapids. Having witnessed a part of this spectacular canyon, many of us expressed great pleasure that Congress rejected these proposals.
After enjoying a fine box lunch on a remote beach, the return trip was rapid and the boats returned our home on the Sea Lion in the late afternoon. The day was capped of with a trip up to the Nez Perce National Historic Park site, a few miles from Lewiston, Idaho. Here we were greeted by a park ranger and saw a film on the history of the Nez Perce people, who were so helpful and important to Lewis and Clark.
