Hells Canyon
Arriving this morning to the Twin Cities of Lewiston and Clarkston, we were awed by the dawning sunlight as it cascaded down the basalt cliffs of the Snake River Canyon. The golden cheat grasses were brilliant with the fire of raw sunlight, and were in stark contrast to the still shadowed portions of the hills. There were whiffs of sea smoke upon the glassy waters of this river cum lake. The Port of Wilma sat silently laden with raw logs and chipped wood piles as we crept past on our way to the days dock at the east end of Clarkston.
It is at this point that the Corps of Discovery first encountered the Snake River where the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers are. They had made their way down the Clearwater after spending time building canoes out of the abundant trees along the lower part of the river. Some of our group followed in their footsteps and canoe wake as we went on a tour of the Clearwater country in search of the past.
The rest of our intrepid group followed a different course up the Snake River into Hells Canyon to see the mighty basalt cliffs, soaring osprey and majestic Rocky Mountain big horn sheep as they enjoyed snacking on hackberry trees and taking cool drinks along the rivers edge. The sheep had been wiped out by a lungworm that transferred from the many domestic sheep that were once raised in Hells Canyon. The big horns now flourish after reintroduction and once the domestic sheep ranches were closed down in the 1980’s.
Both groups then met up at the Nez Perce National Historic Park to learn about the Native American influence in the area. No matter what the days journey held there was plenty to offer the curious minds on our expedition into this stark yet amazing part of the pacific Northwest.
Arriving this morning to the Twin Cities of Lewiston and Clarkston, we were awed by the dawning sunlight as it cascaded down the basalt cliffs of the Snake River Canyon. The golden cheat grasses were brilliant with the fire of raw sunlight, and were in stark contrast to the still shadowed portions of the hills. There were whiffs of sea smoke upon the glassy waters of this river cum lake. The Port of Wilma sat silently laden with raw logs and chipped wood piles as we crept past on our way to the days dock at the east end of Clarkston.
It is at this point that the Corps of Discovery first encountered the Snake River where the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers are. They had made their way down the Clearwater after spending time building canoes out of the abundant trees along the lower part of the river. Some of our group followed in their footsteps and canoe wake as we went on a tour of the Clearwater country in search of the past.
The rest of our intrepid group followed a different course up the Snake River into Hells Canyon to see the mighty basalt cliffs, soaring osprey and majestic Rocky Mountain big horn sheep as they enjoyed snacking on hackberry trees and taking cool drinks along the rivers edge. The sheep had been wiped out by a lungworm that transferred from the many domestic sheep that were once raised in Hells Canyon. The big horns now flourish after reintroduction and once the domestic sheep ranches were closed down in the 1980’s.
Both groups then met up at the Nez Perce National Historic Park to learn about the Native American influence in the area. No matter what the days journey held there was plenty to offer the curious minds on our expedition into this stark yet amazing part of the pacific Northwest.
