Hells Canyon is the deepest water gorge in North America, sitting along the Idaho and Oregon border with the Snake River running through, it’s considered a hikers paradise with numerous routes to choose from, and along the way, mountain goats, bighorn sheep or even black bears are sometimes spotted.
Fall is a great time to explore it, with vibrant desert colors and splashes of autumn foliage, while basalt cliffs rise sheer and steep in places, cracked and broken in others.
There are multiple trails that traverse the side canyons, bringing hikers to petroglyphs and pictographs, as well as historic cabins and ranch houses. Suicide Point is one of the best for dramatic views, with a 360-degree vista and outstanding hiking opportunities, a sandy beach for swimming when its warm enough, or relaxing with a good book.
To see the Seven Devils, you have to go into them, far away from roads. The Seven Devils Loop is an uncrowded wilderness with forests, ridges, lookouts high above Hells Canyon and jewel-like lakes, such as Mirror Lake pictured above. If you do just the loop with no side trips, the round trip distance is 27 miles, which can be accomplished in a three-day backpacking trip.
