Hells Canyon and Clearwater River
Today our adventurers separated into two excursion groups, temporarily parting company at Clarkston, Washington. One party traveled in jet boats about 60 miles up the Snake River to the upper end of Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area. This spectacular canyon, the deepest in North America, abounds with wildlife, gorgeous scenery, and truly unique geology. Today’s animal sightings included bighorn rams and everyone’s favorite: river otters. Not the least of the adventure was scooting up through white water rapids at 35 miles an hour while seated comfortably and keeping dry at the same time!
The other group boarded a small bus and partially retraced the Lewis and Clark routes of Fall 1805 and Spring 1806. Interpreter and guider Lin Laughy really made the great exploration seem real and vital, with his thorough knowledge of both country and subject. The Clearwater River (Lewis and Clark’s Kooskooskee) was the first big water running downhill encountered by the Corps of Discovery—big enough to float canoes. After the extremely difficult traverse of the Bitterroot Mountains of north Idaho, it must have been a blessed relief to reach this place—and the enjoy the real and important help of the native people along the way.
After spending the winter at the Pacific Ocean, the Corps of Discovery once again reached Clearwater country—this time being delayed about a month waiting for high country snows to melt. This time there was time to develop some real friendships with and respect for the Nez Perce, who continued to be friendly and helpful to their uninvited guests. As we visited a number of their actual campsites and thought about the stories associated with them, that famous trek, almost 200 years ago, really came to life in our minds and hearts.
Today our adventurers separated into two excursion groups, temporarily parting company at Clarkston, Washington. One party traveled in jet boats about 60 miles up the Snake River to the upper end of Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area. This spectacular canyon, the deepest in North America, abounds with wildlife, gorgeous scenery, and truly unique geology. Today’s animal sightings included bighorn rams and everyone’s favorite: river otters. Not the least of the adventure was scooting up through white water rapids at 35 miles an hour while seated comfortably and keeping dry at the same time!
The other group boarded a small bus and partially retraced the Lewis and Clark routes of Fall 1805 and Spring 1806. Interpreter and guider Lin Laughy really made the great exploration seem real and vital, with his thorough knowledge of both country and subject. The Clearwater River (Lewis and Clark’s Kooskooskee) was the first big water running downhill encountered by the Corps of Discovery—big enough to float canoes. After the extremely difficult traverse of the Bitterroot Mountains of north Idaho, it must have been a blessed relief to reach this place—and the enjoy the real and important help of the native people along the way.
After spending the winter at the Pacific Ocean, the Corps of Discovery once again reached Clearwater country—this time being delayed about a month waiting for high country snows to melt. This time there was time to develop some real friendships with and respect for the Nez Perce, who continued to be friendly and helpful to their uninvited guests. As we visited a number of their actual campsites and thought about the stories associated with them, that famous trek, almost 200 years ago, really came to life in our minds and hearts.
