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2007 -- May -- Hells Canyon -- Solo

In May of 2006, I attempted a several day ride in the Hells Canyon area. I was rained out and was only able to ride for one day. This documents my successful reattempt, including a run to the bottom of the canyon at Dug Bar.
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  • Here is the point of departure, the Best Western in Clarkston, WA. I trucked my bike out from Seattle, rather than burning up the knobbies on 700 miles of pavement (350 each way).

    Here is the point of departure, the Best Western in Clarkston, WA. I trucked my bike out from Seattle, rather than burning up the knobbies on 700 miles of pavement (350 each way).

  • Departing Thursday morning, I first did a 50 mile loop from Clarkston, up the ridge into the high land farm country and back.

    Departing Thursday morning, I first did a 50 mile loop from Clarkston, up the ridge into the high land farm country and back.

  • This is the road climbing out of the gorge to the farm land above.

    This is the road climbing out of the gorge to the farm land above.

  • An old truck in the farm land above the Snake outside of Clarkston.

    An old truck in the farm land above the Snake outside of Clarkston.

  • Farmland outside Clarkston, Wa.

    Farmland outside Clarkston, Wa.

  • Here is a picture of one of the roads dropping back down to the Snake from the farm land above.

    Here is a picture of one of the roads dropping back down to the Snake from the farm land above.

  • After the farm loop, it was on to the rim of Hells Canyon via the "Cold Springs" route. This bridge crosses the Ronde Grande river about 1/2 mile upstream from the confluence with the Snake outside of Clarkston. It signifies the beginning of this off road route.

    After the farm loop, it was on to the rim of Hells Canyon via the "Cold Springs" route. This bridge crosses the Ronde Grande river about 1/2 mile upstream from the confluence with the Snake outside of Clarkston. It signifies the beginning of this off road route.

  • About 10 miles south of the Ronde Grande is an alternate fire road that climbs out of the canyon. Last year I tried this road and fell over while trying to turn around at this gate. In my haste, I pulled my glasses off and dropped them. I never could find them and had to resort to back ups. This year I went back looking for em again. Still couldn't find em...

    About 10 miles south of the Ronde Grande is an alternate fire road that climbs out of the canyon. Last year I tried this road and fell over while trying to turn around at this gate. In my haste, I pulled my glasses off and dropped them. I never could find them and had to resort to back ups. This year I went back looking for em again. Still couldn't find em...

  • After about 15 miles, the road pops out on top of the rim. At this point, the elevation is about 5500 feet. The Snake is at 800 feet.

    After about 15 miles, the road pops out on top of the rim. At this point, the elevation is about 5500 feet. The Snake is at 800 feet.

  • A shot of my KLR out on a point overlooking the Hells Canyon area.

    A shot of my KLR out on a point overlooking the Hells Canyon area.

  • Another shot of the KLR out on the point. In the haze, it is hard to see the complex canyon network beyond.

    Another shot of the KLR out on the point. In the haze, it is hard to see the complex canyon network beyond.

  • Buckhorn lookout. This is further down the rim, and overlooks the Imnaha river (the route to Dug Bar).

    Buckhorn lookout. This is further down the rim, and overlooks the Imnaha river (the route to Dug Bar).

  • A strange shot. This is looking down at the Dug Bar road from the Buckhorn Lookout. The road is about 4000 feet below.

    A strange shot. This is looking down at the Dug Bar road from the Buckhorn Lookout. The road is about 4000 feet below.

  • Me from the top of Buckhorn Lookout.

    Me from the top of Buckhorn Lookout.

  • The small town of Imnaha after dropping down off the Zumwalt plains. This is the departure point for Dug Bar.

    The small town of Imnaha after dropping down off the Zumwalt plains. This is the departure point for Dug Bar.

  • Lots of warning signs at the end of the pavement. Dug Bar here I come.

    Lots of warning signs at the end of the pavement. Dug Bar here I come.

  • The Dug Bar road is the only road going to the actual bottom of the Hells Canyon gorge. 25 miles in. 25 miles out.

    The Dug Bar road is the only road going to the actual bottom of the Hells Canyon gorge. 25 miles in. 25 miles out.

  • The Dug Bar road climbs considerably after leaving the pavement. Its pretty tight and big enough for one car only with lots of blind turns. Yikes.

    The Dug Bar road climbs considerably after leaving the pavement. Its pretty tight and big enough for one car only with lots of blind turns. Yikes.

  • Here is a shot of the road out in the distance. While many of the corners are blind, at least you can see a vehicle coming a ways away.

    Here is a shot of the road out in the distance. While many of the corners are blind, at least you can see a vehicle coming a ways away.

  • This is the Imnaha river about 5 miles down the Dug Bar road.

    This is the Imnaha river about 5 miles down the Dug Bar road.

  • About 10 miles down the Dug Bar road, you ride along the Imnaha river and encounter scenes like this.

    About 10 miles down the Dug Bar road, you ride along the Imnaha river and encounter scenes like this.

  • Dug Bar road shot.

    Dug Bar road shot.

  • More of the cabin on Dug Bar road.

    More of the cabin on Dug Bar road.

  • A stop along the Imnaha on the road to Dug Bar.

    A stop along the Imnaha on the road to Dug Bar.

  • The Imnaha river.

    The Imnaha river.

  • The Imnaha about 15 miles from pavement end on the Dug Bar road.

    The Imnaha about 15 miles from pavement end on the Dug Bar road.

  • More shots of the cabin.

    More shots of the cabin.

  • The Bridge on the Dug Bar road. This is 15 miles in from the pavement. At this point, the road to Dug Bar leaves the river and weaves up and over a ridge before dropping down to the Snake.

    The Bridge on the Dug Bar road. This is 15 miles in from the pavement. At this point, the road to Dug Bar leaves the river and weaves up and over a ridge before dropping down to the Snake.

  • A shot back up the Imnaha valley while climbing up the last ridge towards Dug Bar.

    A shot back up the Imnaha valley while climbing up the last ridge towards Dug Bar.

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    Me from the top of Buckhorn Lookout.
    The small town of Imnaha after dropping down off the Zumwalt plains. This is the departure point for Dug Bar.