Hells Canyon is a ten-mile-wide canyon in the western United States. The Snake River forms the border between Oregon and Idaho and Southern Washington and Idaho. It is part of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area which is also located in part of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. It is North America's deepest river gorge at 7,993 feet,
The canyon was carved by the waters of the Snake River, which flows more than one mile below the canyon's west rim on the Oregon side and 7,400 feet below the peaks of Idaho's Seven Devils Mountains range to the east. This area includes 214,000 acres of wilderness. Most of the area is inaccessible by road.
These images were taken at Hat Point Fire Lookout on the Oregon side of Hell's Canyon. Hat Point is located directly across from the Seven Devil's mountain peaks and Heaven's Gate Fire Lookout on the Idaho side of the canyon. With binoculars one can see Heaven's Gate F.L. from Hat Point. This location on the rim is the only place that the Snake River can be seen from the rim. The forest road to Hat Point is only accessible by car or pickup from June through early October or the first snow. Four wheel drive is recommended, though not required.
Seven Devil's mountain peaks.
Light Edge
Light Flow
Hell's Paradise
Hell's Candles
7 Devil's: He Devil, She Devil, Devil's Throne, Tower of Babel, Ogre, Baal, Belial
Beautiful captures of some great landscapes. Thanks for sharing this. I had not known about this area and thanks to you, this has now entered my list of places to visit :-)
Sashi wrote:
Beautiful captures of some great landscapes. Thanks for sharing this. I had not known about this area and thanks to you, this has now entered my list of places to visit :-)
Hi, Sashi. Thank you for your comment and support. If you are interested in visiting Hell's Canyon, I recommend that you do a lot of research. It has limited access. Taking a raft down the Snake River or a jet boat up the river is a great experience. Also, there are several access points on both sides of the canyon for viewing from the rim. Early summer is the best time in my opinion. Everything is green and it is beautiful.
junglialoh wrote:
Spectacular mountain terrain range - last lovely one is my choice
Thank you so much for your generous comment! Hell's Canyon really is an amazing landscape. The last image I have printed and it looks really good. Have a great day!
J. Pow wrote:
Fantastic set, love the Hells candles!
Joel
Thank you so much, Joel! The evening sun was illuminating the dead tree trunks which created the orange glow. It really looks cool in person, too. Have a great day!
40Driggs wrote:
Great series. I love the contrasting colors in #2, #6 and #7.
I appreciate your kind thoughts. Hell's Canyon is very colorful in the late spring and early summer, before it gets too hot and while there is still some moisture in the soil from the winter snows. Summers are usually quite dry and everything turns brown. That's when I turn to black and white photography. :-))
Rajan Parrikar wrote:
Hell's Candles image is wonderful. What's that reddish glow?
Hi, Rajan. Thank you very much for your comment. "Hell's Candles" was taken right around sunset and the orange glow was from the setting sun as it reflected off of the dry white trunks of the dead trees. It really looks spectacular in person. The elevation at this location is over 8,000 feet.
keepclicking wrote:
David, nice set of seldom seen location. The hell’s candles image is very interesting. Why do some of the images have strong blue tint?
Thank you for your comment and kind thoughts. Most of these images were photographed around 5:00 a.m. in early June. It was actually just getting light. The "Hell's Candles" image was photographed late in the evening. The bare tree trunks were reflecting the orange glow of the already setting sun. I could adjust the white balance more to the warm side, but the image flattens out. I am grateful for your observations and questions. I am always learning and willing to apply any new knowledge to my work.
Thanks for the great information. We moved to Idaho 3 years ago and exploring the State as weather permits. I have my sights set on the jet boat experience this year. We are down in Hidden Springs just outside of Boise. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your comment! I highly recommend a jet boat trip down the Snake! President George Bush Jr. once said that his most memorable moments while growing up was a rafting trip down the Colorado river and a raft trip down the Snake river and Hell's Canyon! You won't regret it!
