It's not very often that a place with an unsettling and foreboding name matches its landscape. More often than not, places have been given names in order to stave off enemies or to confuse those looking to steal land. However, in the case of Hells Canyon, its name was simply given because of its unique - and slightly unnerving - geological makeup.
Not only is this gorge unbelievably deep, but it's also a straight cut through the deepest part of Oregon's mountainous valley, intersecting the Snake River. So, not only are there mountains, cliffs, and a steep vertical drop to worry about, but the raging waters of the Snake River are also a formidable opponent. Here's why Hells Canyon has earned its name over the centuries.
How Hells Canyon Was First Discovered
This deep gorge was not a new feature of the Oregon and Idaho mountains, and one can surmise that it's just as old as the Snake River itself. Since the river runs through the canyon and is what was responsible for carving out its steep walls, it's only natural to wonder why the canyon wasn't named after that. As it turns out, the canyon was named for its treacherous terrain rather than the feature that created it or its surrounding landscape. With a sheer drop of almost 8,000 feet at its deepest point, Hells Canyon beats out Arizona's Grand Canyon by about 2,000 feet. This, alone, is a tremendously humbling fact and it's one that not many people know since Oregon's canyon is often overshadowed by its southern neighbors.
The other interesting facet of this canyon is that it runs along both the Oregon and Idaho borders, consisting of more than half of the state line border. This is likely how it was found by pioneers who came to the area in the late 19th century. However, there's definitive proof that they were not the first to discover it - only the first to give it its foreboding name. Deeper in the canyon, researchers have found petroglyphs, pit houses, and arrowheads, implying that the earliest Native American peoples dwelled in the area up to 15,000 years prior. The name of Hells Canyon was later given, likely due to its dark cliffs where sunlight didn't reach, as well as the tumultuous waters of the Snake River down below.
Visiting Hells Canyon
Despite its name, it is entirely possible to visit Hells Canyon and even hike around some of its more notable features. If its name doesn't scare hikers off, they can take advantage of more than 900 miles of hiking trails around the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Having the chance to explore this six million-year-old area is pretty incredible considering its history and the views of the Canyon and surrounding Blue Mountains in Oregon, and Seven Devils Mountains in Idaho.
- Note: There are no roads that cross Hells Canyon, still to this day. At its widest point, the canyon measures ten miles wide, with an average depth of at least 5,500 at any one point.
Visitors should be aware that the area is incredibly remote, and there are only three roads that lead to the Snake River. The only other option is to explore the area via the Snake River, which does require some rafting experience or solid boating skills.
Exploring Hells Canyon By Car
For those traveling by car, the best option is to start from the town of Halfway. The only road to the canyon that's paved and, by extension, safe, is that leading to Hells Canyon Overlook. The Snake River below won't be visible from this point but it does give views of the canyon itself and the surrounding landscape, which is just as beautiful.
Another option is to follow the road from Imnaha for 23 miles to the canyon until reaching Hat Point Lookout. This road is for those who are a bit more daring and don't mind its unpaved terrain for a significant payoff in views.
Exploring Hells Canyon By Boat
River rafting is an exciting experience, especially when there's a chance that a professional might be the one manning the boat. Winding Waters, Canyon Outfitters, and Hells Canyon Adventures offer trips down the Snake River.
Exploring Hells Canyon On Foot
For those planning on exiting the car at some point, these are some of the most popular trails in the Hells Canyon Recreation Area:
- Snake River Trail, 45.5 miles in total
- Western Rim National Recreation Trail, 43 miles in total
- Any short day hike is easily accessible from the entrance of the recreation area