Boater's Guide for the Wild and Scenic Snake River
Pick a river segment to view detailed maps and descriptions:
*Identifies major rapids of Class III and above.
247.8 Upper Oregon Hole
Good flood, poor powerboat landing, lots of boulders; small group.
238.0 Three Creek
Good water, shade, steep climb to bench. Difficult access below creek; large group.
238.2 *Three Creek Rapids
Class II or Class III, roller coaster waves.
239.0 Campsite
Camping permitted.
239.2 *Granite Rapids
Class IV at all levels up to 50,000 cfs, always scout! Located just down- stream from Lower Granite Creek campsite. Trail access on both sides of the river. These rapids change as flows fluctuate. Beware of large drop with holes and big waves. A large rock submerged in the center creates a hole with much turbulence at all flows.
239.2 Cache Creek
Difficult boat landing. High grassy bar downstream from creek, water off- site; large group.
239.5 Lower Granite Creek
Tie up 200 yards below creek and follow trail up to bench. Water, shade; large group.
239.6 Upper Granite Creek
Tie up in rocky cove; campsite is 75 yards up trail on a grassy bench above creek. Shade, water; large group.
239.7 Historical Note: Hibbs Ranch
A homestead claim was filed one mile up Granite Creek by Martin Hibbs in 1911. His daughter, Lenora Barton, found him murdered outside his cabin in July, 1934. The cabin had burned down and the remains of a second, unidentified body were found in the ashes, The murder was never solved.
240.4 Rocky Bar
Rocky beach, shade, no water; large group.
241.2 Geology Note: Wild Sheep Rapids
These rapids were formed from large rocks that were carried to the river by a catastrophic debris flow or waterspout.
241.2 *Wild Sheep Rapids
Class IV, aways scout! Located below Bull Creek; turbulent at all flows and the longest rapid on the river.
241.2 Wild Sheep
Campsite 75 yards from river below Wild Sheep Creek, water. Stopping point to scout rapids; large group.
241.5 Birch Springs
Rocky beach, water supply scant; medium group.
241.8 Sand Dunes
Good landing, sandy beach, no water; small group.
242.1 Battle Creek
Good landing, tie up 100 yards down river from creek. Shade; capacity large group. Second campsite located above creek on bench between river and cabin; tie up at creek; large group.
243.2 Historical Note: Pit Houses
The slope at the upper end of the bar is pocked with depressions where the semi-subterranean pithouses of prehistoric people once stood. Covered with a frame of branches and bark or hide, these shelters provided comfort-able winter homes in the mild climate of the canyon.
242.3 Historical Note: Barton Cabin
The cabin, built by Ralph Barton in 1932, is located about 200 yards from the Snake River, upriver from Battle Creek. The Winchester Mine claim, about 2 miles up the creek, was worked from about 1910-191 6 but pro-duced very little gold.
243.0 Warm Springs
Shade, rocky beach; large group.
243.4 Chimney Bar
Shade, no water; large group.
243.7 Rocky Point Rapids
Class II; roller coaster waves, rock to Idaho side of center.
243.7 Rocky Point
Shade, no water, good landing; medium group.
244.7 Brush Creek
Sandy beaches below creek, water in creek; medium group.
244.7 Brush Creek Rapids
Class II; roller coaster waves down center.
245.2 Square Beach
Sandy beach; small group. Old mining claim.
245.6 Lamont Springs
Beach, water; large group. Old mining claim.
245.9 Historical Note: Stud Creek
Named for Gabe Teeples' stud horse that wandered off in the winter of 1910 or 1911 and fathered colts on Summit Ridge for several years.
245.9 Stud Creek
Shade, water; large group. Trail access (1 mile) from Hells Canyon Creek Recreation Site.
246.7 Cliff Mountain Rapids
Class II; current flows against rock wall on Idaho side.
247.0 Hells Canyon Creek Recreation Site
Small visitor information station with exhibits and theater is staffed during summer season. Toilets, boat ramp, public telephone. Day use only, no water or camping. Limited day and overnight parking available.
*Identifies major rapids of Class III and above.
[ North map | South map]
233.2 Bills Creek Rapids
Class II or III, roller coaster waves.
233.7 *Waterspout Rapids
Class III to IV, depending on flows. A rock at lower end of rapids near Oregon side of center creates an unexpected hole at some levels. The rapids wash out in high water. Scouting recommended from Oregon side.
234.5 Geology Note: Waterspout Landslide
From here to Waterspout Rapids, note the chaotic rocks on the Oregon side. They are from a giant slump or landslide that filled the canyon to a depth of 200 to 300 feet.
235.0 *Lower Bernard Creek Rapids
Class III to IV, depending on flow. Approximately 300 yards below Upper Bernard site. About an 8 foot drop, steep but not vertical; big standing wave about 6 feet high in low flows; washed out in high flows.
235.1 Bernard Creek
Good landing for rafts downstream from creek on gravel beach; not a good powerboat site. Shade, water, hike up trail 100 yards; capacity large.
235.2 Historical Note: McGaffee Cabin
The cabin, on the bar above the river, was the second one built on the site by Bill Hiltsley, who homesteaded here in 1901. The place was sold to Fred and Iphigenia "Gene" McGaffee and Billy McGaffee in 1915. Gene wrote, "We knew we were getting into a lonely, untamed region, but it was good cow country and we never regretted the move." See photo on page 13.
235.2 *Upper Bernard Creek Rapids
Class II to III at all flows. Depending on skill level, you may want to scout. Located below Bernard Creek.
236.2 Historical Note. Saddle Creek
Originally settled in 1895 by Fred Jensen and Tim McCarty, Saddle Creek was the home of the Pete Wilson family from 1916-1937. Violet Wilson Shirley and her 7 brothers and sisters grew up here. Violet has been a volunteer host at the Kirkwood Historic Ranch for many years.
236.2 Saddle Creek
Difficult landing at flows over 30,000 cfs; tie up downstream of creek. Water, shade on upper bench to the north; large group.
236.6 Hastings
Gravel beach in low water; old placer mine; medium group.
237.0 Lower Dry Gulch
Good landing, shade, spring just below the rim of the river bank; large group.
237.3 Upper Dry Gulch
Good landing, no water, shade; large group.
237.7 Oregon Hole
Shade, no water; large group.
237.8 Upper Oregon Hole
Good flood, poor powerboat landing, lots of boulders; small group.
236.0 Three Creek
Good water, shade, steep climb to bench. Difficult access below creek; large group.
236.2 *Three Creek Rapids
Class II or Class III, roller coaster waves.
239.0 Campsite
Camping permitted.
239.2 *Granite Rapids
Class IV at all levels up to 50,000 cfs, always scout! Located just down- stream from Lower Granite Creek campsite. Trail access on both sides of the river. These rapids change as flows fluctuate. Beware of large drop with holes and big waves. A large rock submerged in the center creates a hole with much turbulence at all flows.
239.2 Cache Creek
Difficult boat landing. High grassy bar downstream from creek, water off- site; large group.
239.5 Lower Granite Creek
Tie up 200 yards below creek and follow trail up to bench. Water, shade; large group.
239.6 Upper Granite Creek
Tie up in rocky cove; campsite is 75 yards up trail on a grassy bench above creek. Shade, water; large group.
239.7 Historical Note: Hibbs Ranch
A homestead claim was filed one mile up Granite Creek by Martin Hibbs in 1911. His daughter, Lenora Barton, found him murdered outside his cabin in July, 1934. The cabin had burned down and the remains of a second, unidentified body were found in the ashes, The murder was never solved.
240.4 Rocky Bar
Rocky beach, shade, no water; large group.
241.2 Geology Note: Wild Sheep Rapids
These rapids were formed from large rocks that were carried to the river by a catastrophic debris flow or waterspout.
241.2 *Wild Sheep Rapids
Class IV, aways scout! Located below Bull Creek; turbulent at all flows and the longest rapid on the river.
241.2 Wild Sheep
Campsite 75 yards from river below Wild Sheep Creek, water. Stopping point to scout rapids; large group.
241.5 Birch Springs
Rocky beach, water supply scant; medium group.
241.8 Sand Dunes
Good landing, sandy beach, no water; small group.
242.1 Battle Creek
Good landing, tie up 100 yards down river from creek. Shade; capacity large group. Second campsite located above creek on bench between river and cabin; tie up at creek; large group.
243.2 Historical Note: Pit Houses
The slope at the upper end of the bar is pocked with depressions where the semi-subterranean pithouses of prehistoric people once stood. Covered with a frame of branches and bark or hide, these shelters provided comfort- able winter homes in the mild climate of the canyon.
242.3 Historical Note: Barton Cabin
The cabin, built by Ralph Barton in 1932, is located about 200 yards from the Snake River, upriver from Battle Creek. The Winchester Mine claim, about 2 miles up the creek, was worked from about 1910-1916 but produced very little gold.
243.0 Warm Springs
Shade, rocky beach; large group.
*Identifies major rapids of Class III and above.
[ North map | South map]
226.2 Lower Quartz Creek
Good landing, no water, some shade; large group. Located below Quartz Creek.
226.5 Upper Quartz Creek
Rocky landing, poor powerboat site. No water, little shade; large group. Located above Quartz Creek.
227.0 Geology Note: High Bar
High bar is the result of a catastrophic landslide, followed by the formation of a large gravel bar during the Bonneville Flood, about 15,000 years ago.
227.5 Geology and Historical Notes. Pine Bar
The yellow-stained rocks mark a mineralized zone along a fault called a "Deeply weathered parts of the gossan form alurn deposits. Floyd Gossan Harvey, early outfitter, boated his Hells Canyon Excursions guests to a camp at this site in the 1960s. The main lodge and six tent cabins were burned by an arsonist in 1974.
227.5 Pine Bar
Beach, shade, water. Located below Willow Creek; large group.
227.9 Sand Creek
Administrative cabin used by ID and OR fish and wildlife agencies and OR State Police.
228.0 Historical Note: McGrady's Lodge
Kyle McGrady, early Snake River rnailboat captain, operated a lodge here in the late 1940s that accomodated 50 people.
226.2 Upper Sand Creek
Poor powerboat landing. No shade or water; medium group.
226.6 Geology Note: Dry Diggins View
Dry Diggins Ridge on the Idaho side, elevation 7,828 feet, is the highest point in Hells Canyon that is visible from the river on the ID side. It is 6,400 feet above the waters of the Snake.
226.6 Historical Note: Eagle's Nest
The river trail originally climbed over the rim below Yreka Creek, then back down to Sand Creek. During the winter of 1947-48, a Forest Service crew cut through the rock overhang above the river, creating the stretch of trail known as the " Eagle's Nest" because there was once an eagle's nest above the trail.
226.6 Yreka Bar
Poor landing. Shade, no water; large group.
229.0 Steep Creek
Low-water campsite. Beach, good landing below creek; medium group.
229.3 Historical Note: Sheep Creek Cabin
Homesteaded in 1884 by William McLeod, a Scotsman and Civil War veter- an. After his death, the county sold the place to Fred and Billy McGaffee, who traded it to Lenora Barton for her place on the lmnaha River in 1 935. Sold to Bud Wilson in 1952, then to the FS in the 1970s.
229.4 Sheep Creek
Fair landing; pull in at creek. Camp is on upriver side of creek; Cabin on bench north of creek is occupied under special use permit. Shade, water; large group.
229.6 *Sheep Creek Rapids
Class 11 to III; some rocks to avoid.
229.9 Johnson Bar Landing
Beach, water available at Sheep Creek; large group.
231.4 Geology Note: Rush Creek Rapids and Hat Point
Rush Creek Rapids was formed by a large landslide that dammed the Snake River to a depth of nearly 400 feet. Rocks were dislodged from the Idaho side nearly 2,000 feet above the river. Hat Point Lookout Tower, perched atop the highest point on the Oregon rim of Hells Canyon (eleva- tion: 6,982 feet), can be seen on the horizon above Rush Creek.
231.4 Rush Creek
Marginal landing located downstream from rapid; rocky beach. Water dries up in summer; large group.
231.4 *Rush Creek Rapids
Class III or IV, depending on flows; more turbulent during higher water. At head of rapids, near center of river, a large rock creates a huge hole with much turbulence at all flows. Rush Creek is marked by a large rock near the bottom of the rapid that is highly visible except during extremely high water. Always scout!
231.7 Sluice Creek Rapids
No scouting necessary; large roller coaster waves.
231.8 Historical Note.- Winniford Place
Among the oldest ranches in the canyon, Alex Warnock ran cattle here in the early 1 880s. Clem Marks patented a homestead entry in 1909 and built a dogtrot-style log cabin-twin cabins connected by a covered breezeway. Willy Winniford's family settled here from 1913-23; his brothers, Walter and John, settled at Rush Creek and Homestead Ridge.
231.8 Sluice Creek
Difficult landing. Very difficult climb to bench located on downriver side of creek; large group.
233.2 Bills Creek Rapids
Class 11 or III, roller coaster waves.
233.7 *Waterspout Rapids
Class III to IV, depending on flows. A rock at lower end of rapids near Oregon side of center creates an unexpected hole at some levels. The rapids wash out in high water. Scouting recommended from Oregon side.
234.5 Geology Note: Waterspout Landslide
From here to Waterspout Rapids, note the chaotic rocks on the Oregon side. They are from a giant slump or landslide that filled the canyon to a depth of 200 to 300 feet.
235.0 *Lower Bernard Creek Rapids
Class III to IV, depending on flow. Approximately 300 yards below Upper Bernard site. About an 3 foot drop, steep but not vertical; big standing wave about 6 feet high in low flows; washed out in high flows.
235.1 Bernard Creek
Good landing for rafts downstream from creek on gravel beach; not a good powerboat site. Shade, water, hike up trail 1 00 yards; capacity large.
235.2 Historical Note: MeGaffee Cabin
The cabin, on the bar above the river, was the second one built on the site by Bill Hiltsley, who homesteaded here in 1901. The place was sold to Fred and lphigenia "Gene" McGaffee and Billy McGaffee in 1915. Gene wrote, "We knew we were getting into a lonely, untamed region, but it was good cow country and we never regretted the move." See photo on page 13.
235.2 *Upper Bernard Creek Rapids
Class II to IIIn at all flows. Depending on skill level, you may want to scout. Located below Bernard Creek.
236.2 Historical Note. Saddle Creek
Originally settled in 1895 by Fred Jensen and Tim McCarty, Saddle Creek was the home of the Pete Wilson family from 1916-1937. Violet Wilson Shirley and her 7 brothers and sisters grew up here. Violet has been a volunteer host at the Kirkwood Historic Ranch for many years.
236.2 Saddle Creek
Difficult landing at flows over 30,000 cfs; tie up downstream of creek. Water, shade on upper bench to the north; large group.
236.6 Hastings
Gravel beach in low water; old placer mine; medium group.
*Identifies major rapids of Class III and above.
218.8 Kirby Creek Lodge
Privately owned land, lodge; not available for camping.
218.9 Middle Kirby Rapids
Class II or III, depending on water level. Large roller coaster waves.
219.6 Russell Bar
Fair landing for rafts, poor landing for powerboats. Shade, no water; large group.
220.0 Yankee Bar
Beach, no water, little shade; small group.
220.3 Kirkwood Bar Campsites
Four sites within easy walking distance of Kirkwood Historic Ranch. Shade, toilets, tables; large group at each site.
220.7 Historical Note. Kirkwood Ranch
Although people have lived on Kirkwood Bar since prehistoric times, the most famous resident was Len Jordan (1932-43), who later became Governor of Idaho and a U.S. Senator. His wife, Grace, wrote Home Below Hells Canyon about her family's years at Kirkwood Ranch.
220.7 Kirkwood Historic Ranch
Public welcome: historic ranch, museum, interpretive site, staffed year-round. No drinking water available. May also be accessed by an off-road vehicle trail down Kirkwood Creek. Communications available to report fires/emergencies.
221.0 Slaughter Gulch
Good landing; large group.
221.6 Historical Note: Half Moon's Death
Named for a Nez Perce man. Half Moon and his horse fell to their deaths near Suicide Point, probably in the 1870s. An 1866 silver dollar was found with the remains in 1892.
221.6 Half Moon Bar
Easy landing, small site, no water; medium group.
222.0 Gracie Bar
Good floatboat landing, shade; large group.
222.2 Two Corral Creek
Beach, shade, no water; large group.
222.6 Salt Creek
Beach, shade, water at Salt Creek; large group.
222.8 Suicide Point
Trail carved in cliffs over 400 feet above river offers a spectacular view- worth the climb!
222.9 Hominy Bar
Good landing for float or powerboats; large group at low water levels.
223.0 Geology Note.- Vertical Dikes
From Suicide Point to Pittsburg Landing, the river cuts through nearly vertical dikes which are the oldest rocks in Hells Canyon-over 300 million years old. The Great Eastern Mine (gold and copper) was located on the slope at the lower end of Big Bar.
223.7 Historical Note: Temperance Creek Ranch
In the early 1880s, Alex and Bob Warnock came to Temperance Creek to do some placer mining and raise cattle. When the packhorse carrying their supply of whiskey rolled on the trail, they were left high and dry for the winter, hence the name "Temperance Creek." Purchased by Kenneth Johnson in the 1930s and operated as a sheep ranch by Kenneth and later his son, Greg, until the late 1970s.
223.7 Temperance Creek Ranch
Former sheep ranch; not available for camping.
224.2 Big Bar Airstrip
Only public landing strip on Idaho side of river, not maintained; public use at own risk.
224.5 Big Bar
Fair powerboat landing, rocky. No shade, no water; large group.
224.5 Historical Note: Myers Creek
In the 1930s, blacksmith/miner Ace Duncan was hired to drive a tunnel through the ridge that separates Myers Creek from Big Bar. Working from both sides of the ridge, it took 81-year-old Duncan two years to complete the tunnel. An irrigation pipe through the tunnel allowed upper Big Bar to be planted with 13 acres of alfalfa.
224.5 Dry Gulch
Shade, beach, no water; large group.
225.2 Caribou Creek
Good floatboat landing, poor powerboat landing. Shade; large group. Located below Caribou Creek.
225.0 Geology Note: River Terraces
From here to mile 223, notice the wide river terraces which were formed by the accumulation of debris eroded from the canyon walls and deposited in alluvial fans. The terraces were subsequently leveled by the Bonneville and other floods.
226.2 Lower Quartz Creek
Good landing, no water, some shade; large group. Located below Quartz Creek.
226.5 Upper Quartz Creek
Rocky landing, poor powerboat site. No water, little shade; large group. Located above Quartz Creek.
227.0 Geology Note: High Bar
High bar is the result of a catastrophic landslide, followed by the formation of a large gravel bar during the Bonneville Flood, about 15,000 years ago.
227.5 Geology and Historical Notes. Pine Bar
The yellow-stained rocks mark a mineralized zone along a fault called a "gossan". Deeply weathered parts of the gossan form alurn deposits. Floyd Gossan Harvey, early outfitter, boated his Hells Canyon Excursions guests to a camp at this site in the 1960s. The main lodge and six tent cabins were burned by an arsonist in 1974.
227.5 Pine Bar
Beach, shade, water. Located below Willow Creek; large group.
227.9 Sand Creek
Administrative cabin used by Idaho and Oregon Fish and Wildlife agencies and Oregon State Police.
228.0 Historical Note: McGrady's Lodge
Kyle McGrady, early Snake River rnailboat captain, operated a lodge here in the late 1940s that accomodated 50 people.
226.2 Upper Sand Creek
Poor powerboat landing. No shade or water; medium group.
226.6 Geology Note: Dry Diggins View
Dry Diggins Ridge on the Idaho side, elevation 7,828 feet, is the highest point in Hells Canyon that is visible from the river on the Idaho side. It is 6,400 feet above the waters of the Snake.
226.6 Historical Note: Eagle's Nest
The river trail originally climbed over the rim below Yreka Creek, then back down to Sand Creek. During the winter of 1947-48, a Forest Service crew cut through the rock overhang above the river, creating the stretch of trail known as the " Eagle's Nest" because there was once an eagle's nest above the trail.
226.6 Yreka Bar
Poor landing. Shade, no water; large group.
229.0 Steep Creek
Low-water campsite. Beach, good landing below creek; medium group.
229.3 Historical Note: Sheep Creek Cabin
Homesteaded in 1884 by William McLeod, a Scotsman and Civil War veteran. After his death, the county sold the place to Fred and Billy McGaffee, who traded it to Lenora Barton for her place on the Imnaha River in 1 935. Sold to Bud Wilson in 1952, then to the Forest Service in the 1970s.
229.4 Sheep Creek
Fair landing; pull in at creek. Camp is on upriver side of creek; Cabin on bench north of creek is occupied under special use permit. Shade, water; large group.
229.6 *Sheep Creek Rapids
Class II to III; some rocks to avoid.
229.9 Johnson Bar Landing
Beach, water available at Sheep Creek; large group.
*Identifies major rapids of Class III and above.
[ North map | South map]
212.0 McCarty Creek
Difficult landing, no water; medium group.
212.4 Davis Creek
Good landing, no water; medium group.
213.0 Geology Note: Pillow Basalt
From mile 213-209, the river cuts through thick deposits of pillow basalt and breccia. These rocks formed on the sides of a giant undersea volcano about 230 million years ago.
213.0 Historical Notes: Proposed Pleasant Valley Dam, 1954
A 1954 proposal sited Pleasant Valley Dam about 1/4 mile below the creek. The dam, 535' high with the world's 5 largest generators, would have backed up water to the base of Hells Canyon Dam. Yellow paint on bluffs on both sides indicate the darn's proposed location and height.
213.3 Pleasant Valley
Boat landing very difficult at some water levels. Shade, water 150 yards upstream from camp; medium group. Accessible via off-road vehicle trail from Pittsburg Landing.
213.5 *Pleasant Valley Rapids
Class II or III, depending on water level. Rocks above rapids, turbulent water. 214.5 Pittsburg Campground, 28 sites, about 1/4 mile from river, some shade, no water, toilet, table, some accessible sites for people with disabilities.
214.7 Geology Note: Mt. Mazama Ash
The layer of whitish sediment in the outcrop on the Oregon side is ash that was deposited about 6,800 years ago, when a huge volcanic eruption over 200 miles southwest of here blew up Mt. Mazarna, forming Crater Lake. Rainfall washed the ash into depressions where it was concentrated in deposits from several inches to several feet deep.
214.8 Pittsburg Administrative Site
Administrative site, not available for camping. Communications available here; report fires and emergencies here or at Pittsburg Landing boat ramp when staffed.
214.9 Pittsburg Landing
Road access, boat launch and float apron, visitor information and toilets. Communications available here; report fires and emergencies here or at Pittsburg Administrative Site.
215.7 Wilson Eddy
Good landing, shade, no water; large group.
216.2 Campsite
Road access, good float boat landing, shade, no water; small group.
216.3 Upper Pittsburg
Six campsites, road access, parking, tables, toilets, partially accessible for people with disabilities, some shade, no water.
216.3 Geology and Historical Notes: Pittsburg Landing
The large valley at Pittsburg Landing, cuts through easily eroded sedimentary rocks about 220-165 million years old. About 15 million years ago, volcanic eruptions from fissure dikes formed the dark brown layers of Columbia River Basalt on the north skyline. Native Americans wintered here for thousands of years, including Toohoolhoolzote's Nez Perce band from about 1840-1870. Homesteaders and ranchers began to settle here in the 1880s.
216.3 Wild and Scenic River Boundary
Under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the river north of this point is classified as scenic, south of the line is wild.
216.4 Fish Trap Bar
Sandy beach, good landing, no water; large group.
217.0 Corral Creek
Cobble beach, shade, water under 200 yards; large group.
218.3 Cat Gulch
Easy landing, small beach, shade; medium group.
218.8 Kirby Creek Lodge
Privately owned land, lodge; not available for camping.
218.9 Middle Kirby Rapids
Class II or III, depending on water level. Large roller coaster waves.
219.6 Russell Bar
Fair landing for rafts, poor landing for powerboats. Shade, no water, large group.
220.0 Yankee Bar
Beach, no water, little shade, small group.
220.3 Kirkwood Bar Campsites
Four sites within easy walking distance of Kirkwood Historic Ranch. Shade, toilets, tables; large group at each site.
220.7 Historical Note. Kirkwood Ranch
Although people have lived on Kirkwood Bar since prehistoric times, the most famous resident was Len Jordan (1932-43), who later became Governor of Idaho and a U.S. Senator. His wife, Grace, wrote Home Below Hells Canyon about her family's years at Kirkwood Ranch.
220.7 Kirkwood Historic Ranch
Public welcome: historic ranch, museum, interpretive site, staffed year-round. No drinking water available. May also be accessed by an off-road vehicle trail down Kirkwood Creek. Communications available to report fires/emergencies.
221.0 Slaughter Gulch
Good landing; large group.
221.6 Historical Note: Half Moon's Death
Named for a Nez Perce man. Half Moon and his horse fell to their deaths near Suicide Point, probably in the 1870s. An 1866 silver dollar was found with the remains in 1892.
221.6 Half Moon Bar
Easy landing, small site, no water; medium group.
222.0 Gracie Bar
Good floatboat landing, shade; large group.
222.2 Two Corral Creek
Beach, shade, no water; large group.
222.6 Salt Creek
Beach, shade, water at Salt Creek; large group.
222.8 Suicide Point
Trail carved in cliffs over 400 feet above river offers a spectacular view- worth the climb!
222.9 Hominy Bar
Good landing for float or powerboats; large group at low water levels.
223.0 Geology Note - Vertical Dikes
From Suicide Point to Pittsburg Landing, the river cuts through nearly vertical dikes which are the oldest rocks in Hells Canyon-over 300 million years old. The Great Eastern Mine (gold and copper) was located on the slope at the lower end of Big Bar.
223.7 Historical Note: Temperance Creek Ranch
In the early 1880s, Alex and Bob Warnock came to Temperance Creek to do some placer mining and raise cattle. When the packhorse carrying their supply of whiskey rolled on the trail, they were left high and dry for the winter, hence the name "Temperance Creek." Purchased by Kenneth Johnson in the 1930s and operated as a sheep ranch by Kenneth and later his son, Greg, until the late 1970s.
223.7 Temperance Creek Ranch
Former sheep ranch; not available for camping.
224.2 Big Bar Airstrip
Only public landing strip on Idaho side of river, not maintained, public use at own risk.
224.5 Big Bar
Fair powerboat landing, rocky. No shade, no water; large group.
224.5 Historical Note: Myers Creek
In the 1930s, blacksmith/miner Ace Duncan was hired to drive a tunnel through the ridge that separates Myers Creek from Big Bar. Working from both sides of the ridge, it took 81-year-old Duncan two years to complete the tunnel. An irrigation pipe through the tunnel allowed upper Big Bar to be planted with 13 acres of alfalfa.
224.5 Dry Gulch
Shade, beach, no water; large group.
*Identifies major rapids of Class III and above.
206.0 Lookout Creek
Shallow landing, no water, some shade; large group.
209.4 Tryon Creek
Good landing, shade, water at creek; large group.
209.8 Camp Creek
Some shade, no water; large group.
210.0 Somers Creek
Rocky landing, water, shade; large group.
210.4 Lower Big Canyon
No water, sandy beach; small group.
210.6 Big Canyon
Fair landing, water, shade; large group.
212.0 McCarty Creek
Difficult landing, no water; medium group.
212.4 Davis Creek
Good landing, no water; medium group.
213.0 Geology Note: Pillow Basalt
From mile 213-209, the river cuts through thick deposits of pillow basalt and breccia. These rocks formed on the sides of a giant undersea volcano about 230 million years ago.
213.0 Historical Notes: Proposed Pleasant Valley Dam, 1954
A 1954 proposal sited Pleasant Valley Dam about 1/4 mile below the creek. The dam, 535' high with the world's 5 largest generators, would have backed up water to the base of Hells Canyon Dam. Yellow paint on bluffs on both sides indicate the darn's proposed location and height.
213.3 Pleasant Valley
Boat landing very difficult at some water levels. Shade, water 150 yards upstream from camp; medium group. Accessible via off-road vehicle trail from Pittsburg Landing.
213.5 *Pleasant Valley Rapids
Class II or Ill, depending on water level. Rocks above rapids, turbulent water. 214.5 Pittsburg Campground Campground, 28 sites, about 1/4 mile from river, some shade, no water, toilet, table, some handicapped accessible sites.
214.7 Geology Note: Mt. Mazama Ash
The layer of whitish sediment in the outcrop on the OR side is ash that was deposited about 6,800 years ago, when a huge volcanic eruption over 200 miles southwest of here blew up Mt. Mazarna, forming Crater Lake. Rainfall washed the ash into depressions where it was concentrated in deposits from several inches to several feet deep.
214.6 Pittsburg Administrative Site
Administrative site, not available for carnping. Communications available here; report fires and emergencies here or at Pittsburg Landing boat ramp when staffed.
214.9 Pittsburg Landing
Road access, boat launch and float apron, visitor information and toilets. Communications available here; report fires and emergencies here or at Pittsburg Administrative Site.
215.7 Wilson Eddy
Good landing, shade, no water; large group.
216.2 Campsite
Road access, good float boat landing, shade, no water; small group.
216.3 Upper Pittsburg
Six campsites, road access, parking, tables, toilets, partially handicapped accessible, some shade, no water.
216.3 Geology and Historical Notes: Pittsburg Landing
The large valley at Pittsburg Landing, cuts through easily-eroded sedimenta- ry rocks about 220-165 million years old. About 15 million years ago, vol- canic eruptions from fissure dikes formed the dark brown layers of Columbia River Basalt on the north skyline. Native Americans wintered here for thou- sands of years, including Toohoolhoolzote's Nez Perce band from about 1840-1870. Homesteaders and ranchers began to settle here in the 1880s.
217.0 Corral Creek
Cobble beach, shade, water updver 200 yards; large group.
*Identifies major rapids of Class III and above.
196.6 Dug Bar Landing
Primitive boat launch area, high-clearance 4WD road access. Toilet, no water; rnedium group.
196.7 Geology Note: Bonneville Flood
Gray gravels, deposited by the Bonneville Flood, are visible on the hillside about 200 feet above the river on the ID side.
196.7 Historical Note: Nez Perce Crossing
In the spring of 1877, the Nez Perce bands from the Wallowa Valley were ordered by the U.S. Government to leave their homeland and go to the reservation in Lapwai, ID. They crossed the river safely with their families, all their belongings, horses and cattle at Dug Bar in full spring flood .
198.1 Dug Creek
Water, small site; small group.
198.4 Robinson Gulch
Shade, no water; large group.
199.2 Historical Note: Massacre of Chinese Miners, Deep Creek
In May of 1 887, a band of outlaws tortured and murdered 31 Chinese rnin- ers at the mouth of Deep Creek for the gold believed to be hidden in their camp. Three men stood trial for the atrocities but none were convicted. No one was ever punished for the crime. Two stone walls against a rock out- crop are all that remain of the Chinese camp.
199.2 Deep Creek
Low water site, poor landing. Pull in near creek and carry gear over boul- ders 20 yards to site on upstream side of creek.
201.9 Bar Creek
Poor powerboat site, water dries up, shade; large group.
204.5 Bob Creek
Sandy beach, no water, shade; large group.
205.0 Geology Note: Columbia River Basaits
At this point, flows of the Columbia River Basalt can be seen at river level. The distinctive columnar joints formed during the cooling of the rnolten lava.
205.4 Historical Note: Copper Bar
Also known as Rankin Bar, for Billy Rankin who discovered copper on Copper Mountain in 1900. He filed a claim and built a stone cabin about 3/4 mile up Copper Creek. Rankin worked his claim for many years but never struck it rich. His 2nd cabin, built in the 1930s on Copper Bar, became the mess hall of the resort run by boatman Dick Rivers in the 1950s.
205.4 Copper Creek Resort
Lodge, cabins under special use permit; not available for camping.
208.0 Lookout Creek
Shallow landing, no water, some shade; large group.
*Identifies major rapids of Class III and above.
[ North map | South map]
187.8 Salmon Bar
Some beach area; large group.
188.0 Salmon Falls
Beach, no shade; large group.
166.3 Geology Note. Salmon River
The Salmon River is free-flowing from its headwaters to its confluence with the Snake. Some geologists believe that, about 2 million years ago, the Salmon was the major river and the Snake was its tributary.
166.3 Salmon Mouth
Beach, little shade, no water; large group.
169.2 Historical Note: Proposed Dam Site, 1958
The letters "HMPNP" and white marks painted on the rocks indicate the location of the 670-foot High Mountain Sheep Darn, part of a project proposed by the Pacific Northwest Power Company in 1958.
169.6 Historical Note: Sinking of the lmnaha, Mtn. Sheep Rapids
There are iron rings set in the rocks on both sides of the river. Cables were attached to the rings to help winch steamboats up through the rapids. When the cable became entangled, disabling the paddlewheel the Imnaha drifted back into the rapids, turned crosswise in the current, lodged between the canyon walls and broke up.
190.4 Knight Creek
Good landing, shade, water; large group.
191.2 Fargo Camp
Swift water for raft landing. Poor powerboat landing. No water; large group.
191.4 Historical Note: Eureka Mining Camp and Steamboat Landing During the first decade of the 20th century, the upper end of Eureka Bar was the location of the joint Fargo and Eureka company mining camps, and town site was established at the lower end of the bar. The stair-step foundation of the stamp mill/smelter and the foundation of the hotel/bunkhouse can still be seen. The steamboat landing used by the Imnaha and Mountain Gem was on the bar just below Eureka Creek.
191.6 lmnaha Rapids
Class III in lower flows; heavy waves, some rocky areas. Washes out at high flows.
191.7 lmnaha
Poor powerboat landing, pull in above the Imnaha confluence. Shade, no water; medium group.
191.9 Historical Note: Mountain Chief Mine Tunnel
The 740-foot Mountain Chief Mine tunnel cuts clear through a ridge just above the confluence of the Snake and Imnaha rivers. The tunnel, complet- ed in 1903, follows a mineralized zone, containing copper and iron, which formed along a fault. Part of the Eureka Mining, Smelting & Power Co. holdings. Gates have been installed in the tunnel to provide for visitor safety and protect endangered Townsend's big-eared bats that use the mine as a hibernaculurn during the winter months.
192.4 China Bar
Beach; large group.
192.5 Historical Note. Low Mountain Sheep Dam
A 1954 proposal included a 275-foot concrete, gravity-type hydroelectric dam below China Gulch to act as a regulator for peak releases from the Pleasant Valley Dam upriver.
193.2 Archaeology Note: Divide Creek
Artifacts uncovered when University of Idaho archaeologists excavated a site at the mouth of Divide Creek were dated at about 6,000 years old.
193.2 Divide Creek
Low-water site above mouth of creek. Water, shade; large group.
194.0 Zig Zag
Beach, no water; small group.
195.1 *Warm Springs Rapids
Class II, Class III at high flow levels.
196.2 Dug Bar
Rocky landing, road access, toilet, no water; medium group.
196.6 Dug Bar Landing
Primitive boat launch area, high-clearance 4WD road access. Toilet, no water; rnedium group.
196.7 Geology Note: Bonneville Flood
Gray gravels, deposited by the Bonneville Flood, are visible on the hillside about 200 feet above the river on the Idaho side.
196.7 Historical Note: Nez Perce Crossing
In the spring of 1877, the Nez Perce bands from the Wallowa Valley were ordered by the U.S. Government to leave their homeland and go to the reservation in Lapwai, Idaho. They crossed the river safely with their families, all their belongings, horses and cattle at Dug Bar in full spring flood .
198.1 Dug Creek
Water, small site; small group.
198.4 Robinson Gulch
Shade, no water; large group.
*Identifies major rapids of Class III and above.
[ North map | South map]
176.0 China Garden Creek
Formerly known as the Madden Ranch, this area is currently owned by The Nature Conservancy.
176.0 OR/WA State Line
The state line is also the northern boundary of the HCNRA.
176.3 Historical Note. Stone House
About 300 yards from the river on the Idaho side there's an interesting stone house. Homesteaders in Hells Canyon sometimes built such cabins because wood was scarce.
176.8 Lower Cache Creek
Beach, no water or shade, small low-water site; small group.
177.0 Cache Creek Ranch (Administrative Site)
Northern entry to HCNRA-permit station, staffed year round. Visitor information and interpretive exhibits. Communications available-report fires and emergencies here. Day use only: shade, picnic tables, toilets. The large orchard provides fruit for visitors and attracts wildlife.
177.0 Historical Note: Cache Creek Ranch
Named by A.C. Smith who, while traveling to the 1876 treaty council at Lapwai, Idaho, found caches left by Indians on a bar near the creek's mouth. By 1913, Guy Huffman had homesteaded here. He partnered with his brother-in-law, Jay Dobbin until the 1930s, when Guy sold out. Cache Creek was part of the 10,000-acre Snake River holdings of the Dobbin and Huffman Sheep Co. They ran about 28,000 sheep.
177.7 Upper Cache Creek
Good landing, sandy beach, pack to bench from river; large group.
177.8 Historical Note- Sheep Shearing Sheds
The large sheep shearing sheds on the bar were part of the Dobbin and Huffman Sheep Co. holdings. The names of many members of shearing crews from the 1 920s and 1930s have been written on the east wall of the shed with branding paint.
176.1 Garden Creek
Beach, shade, small low-water site; small group.
176.2 Cochran Island
Float camp only due to shallow river approach. Secluded, shade, no water; large group.
176.6 Historical Note: Coon Hollow
Humorous signs and "museum" of flotsam-items that washed up in the big eddy at Coon Hollow-make this a fun and interesting stop.
176.6 Coon Hollow
Some shade; large group.
179.9 Upper Cougar Bar
Beach, no water or shade, low-water site; medium group.
180.2 Scenic River Boundary
This is the lower end of the scenic portion of the Snake River in Hells Canyon. The river from here north to the Hells Canyon NRA boundary at the WA/OR state line has been recommended for scenic designation.
180.9 Lower Cottonwood Creek
Water, sandy beach; large group.
181.0 Historical Note: lmnaha Boiler
A boiler, possibly from the steamboat Imnaha, is embedded in the sandbank on the upriver side of the creek.
181.0 Geology Note: Limestone
Light gray limestone is steeply dipping and folded. This limestone formed in quiet sea water as the volcanic platform subsided about 220 million years ago.
181.3 Upper Cottonwood Creek
Water, shade, beach; large group.
181.5 Cactus Bar
Good landing, beach, no water; medium group.
181.6 Meat Hole
Beach, no water, small low-water site; small group.
182.0 Lower Jim Creek
Sandy beach, shade; large group.
182.2 Historical Note.- Jim Creek
This creek is named for French-Arnerican Jim Gaillard, who homesteaded about 2-3 miles from the river. This site was also the location of the Treasure Group copper claims in the early 1900s. The small building near the river was a grain and supply storage shed where the mailboat could leave deliveries for the Jim Creek Ranch.
183.0 Sentinel Rock
Low water camp, sandy beach, no water; medium group.
183.4 Cook Creek
Sandy beach, water; medium group.
184.6 Geneva Bar
Sand and rock beach, no water; large group.
185.3 Historical Note: Cherry Creek Falls, Cherry Creek Ranch
Scenic little waterfall at the mouth of Cherry Creek. In 1848, Jay Dobbin sold the Cherry Creek Ranch, located about 2 miles up the creek, to three of his Basque sheepherders. Seberino "Silver" Egana, Gus Malaxa, Toney Martiartu and later a fourth partner, Joe Onaindia ran the ranch until 1973.
185.9 Cave Cove
Sand beach, rock overhang provides shade, no water; medium group.
*Identifies major rapids of Class III and above.
[ North map | South map]
North of Map 10
Note: The sites below are north of the maps included in this book. They are boat launching locations between Heller Bar and the Lewiston/Clarkston Valley. We have listed them here to aid you in planning your trip.
137.2 Red Wolf Marina/Hells Canyon Resort
Private marina, boat launching facilities, Clarkston, Washington.
139.4 Green Belt Ramp
Public boat ramp at the US Army Corps of Engineers office near the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers in Clarkston, Washington.
140.6 Southway Ramp
US Army Corps of Engineers public boat launching facilities, Lewiston, Idaho.
142.4 Swallows Park
US Army Corps of Engineers public boat launching facilities and restrooms, on Washington side. USDA Forest Service, HCNRA Snake River Office is located at the south end of Swallows Park on Highway 129 (Riverside Drive).
143.4 Hells Gate State Park
Idaho state park marina, gas, boat launching facilities, restrooms.
145.4 Chief Looking Glass Park
Asotin, WA city park with boat launch/landing facilities, restroorns.
157.6 Couse Creek
Primitive boat launch on Washington side.
165.0 Billy Creek
Administrative site owned by Idaho Fish and Game Department on Idaho side. Primitive boat launch on Washington side.
Map 10 Features
168.4 Heller Bar Boat Ramp
Public boat launch and landing area owned by the State of Washington and operated by the Bureau of Land Management. Toilets, parking.
168.7 Mouth of Grande Ronde River
The Grande Ronde, meaning "large valley," was named by French Canadian trappers. The large valley referred to is many miles upriver near La Grande, Oregon.
166.6 Historical Note: Rogersburg
Rogersburg, Washington, just upstream from the Grande Ronde River, was founded by the Rogers brothers, who had filed mining claims on the bar. They laid out the townsite and planned to sell lots, but were not very successful because, until 1937, there was no road access to the site.
170.0 Geology Note - Lime Hill (Oregon). Limestone Point (Idaho)
This limestone point was estimated to contain over 500 acres of exceptionally pure cement materials - an important ingredient in the construction of dams. However, transportation problems made quarrying unprofitable. Near here, a fault separates 220 million year old limestone from 1 5 million year old basalt. Geologists call this type of gap in the geological strata an unconformity.
172.8 Historical Note: Wild Goose Rapids and proposed China Garden Dam
The steamboat Lewiston was dispatched to pick up ore at the Great Eastern Mine (at Big Bar). The boat couldn't get through this rapid, hence the trip was a "wild goose chase." There is a steamboat lining ring in the rock at the head of the rapid on the Washington side. Downstream from this rapid is the site of the 168' high China Garden Dam, proposed in the 1950s.
172.8 *Wild Goose Rapids
Class II, Class III at high flows.
175.0 Historical Note: Granite Slabs
The large blocks of granite stacked on the Idaho shore were quarried by Arthur Garlinghouse of Lewiston in the early 1900s. They were intended to be hauled to town by steamboat and used as window ledges and door sills at Lewiston Normal School (now Lewis-Clark State College).
176.0 China Garden Creek
Formerly known as the Madden Ranch, this area is currently owned by The Nature Conservancy.
176.0 OR/WA State Line
The state line is also the northern boundary of the HCNRA.
176.3 Historical Note. Stone House
About 300 yards from the river on the Idaho side there's an interesting stone house. Homesteaders in Hells Canyon sometimes built such cabins because wood was scarce.
176.8 Lower Cache Creek
Beach, no water or shade, small low-water site; small group.
177.0 Cache Creek Ranch (Administrative Site)
Northern entry to HCNRA-permit station, staffed year round. Visitor information and interpretive exhibits. Communications available-report fires and emergencies here. Day use only: shade, picnic tables, toilets. The large orchard provides fruit for visitors and attracts wildlife.
177.0 Historical Note: Cache Creek Ranch
Named by A.C. Smith who, while traveling to the 1876 treaty council at Lapwai, Idaho, found caches left by Indians on a bar near the creek's mouth. By 1913, Guy Huffman had homesteaded here. He partnered with his brother-in-law, Jay Dobbin until the 1930s, when Guy sold out. Cache Creek was part of the 10,000-acre Snake River holdings of the Dobbin and Huffman Sheep Co. They ran about 28,000 sheep.
177.7 Upper Cache Creek
Good landing, sandy beach, pack to bench from river; large group.