Looking Into Hell's Canyon from Hat Point Lookout

After we left Joseph Oregon, we went to a small community called Imnaha, Oregon.  From Imnaha we headed up the mountain to Hat Point Lookout.  From the top you can see the Snake River running through the bottom of Hell's Canyon.  You can gaze at the Seven Devils Mountains.

  

We traveled up a forest service road.  A narrow, steep and twisty dirt road.  With courtesy on-coming traffic can get by. There are no guard rails.  We traveled about 15-20 miles per hour sometimes less.

Looking through the windshield.

Shot from moving car.

This was taken at the first overlook.  It is an impressive view.

Then we started up the road again.  In the next picture look for the blue ribbon on the left side.  That is is Snake River.

At this point it is a vertical mile to the canyon floor. 

 The sign tells of a rock slide that created a dam in the canyon bottom over 400 feet high 10 - 15,000 years ago.  Today most of the rock dam is gone except for some boulders.  

The left over boulders from that landslide create the white water rapids that you see in this picture of the Snake River.  I am standing at the top of Hat Point taking this picture.  The rapids are a vertical mile from the top of Hat Point.

Hat Point Lookout fire tower is 82 feet to the top of the tower.  It is manned every summer.  Visitors are allowed to climb the stairs and have a look.  Yours truly did not climb those stairs!

Look at These Deer

Going through Joseph, Oregon I noticed a sign for a bed and breakfast.  It caught my eye because the name was the same as my maiden name.  So I took a photo.  Then I noticed the two young deer eating the front yard.

The little buck has forked antlers and is in velvet, both of them have fading spots.  So are they last years babies or early babies this year?  Does anyone have a guess?

Following the Trail

Dan and I decided that we would follow the Nez Perce Historical Trail this summer.  We drove out to Enterprise Oregon to begin our journey.  Enterprise is next door to Joseph Oregon where old Chief Joseph is buried.  This area among the Wallowa Mountains was the area the Nez Perce had their summer camps.

Old Chief Joseph (Tuekakas) had been the leader of his band.  When he died the responsibility for leading the band was shared by Chief Joseph (Thunder on the Mountain) and his brother Ollokut.  Ollokut was recognized by his people as a strong War Chief and Political Leader.

The old Chief Joseph gravesite and monument is just outside of Joseph Oregon.

Standing by the monument you can turn and see Lake Wallowa.  It is surrounded by the Wallowa Mountains.  

The mountains are truly majestic.  As we came over the mountains to Enterprise.  The road was paved, and windy. It was at least two hours from Lewiston.  There is no easy way to get to Enterprise, Oregon.

When you are in the heart of the Wallowa Valley you know why Chief Joseph and his band did not want to leave.



According to what I have read this is the dying declaration of Chief Joseph to his son Joseph -

" My son, my body is returning to my mother earth, and my spirit is going very soon to see the Great Spirit Chief. When I am gone, think of your country. You are the chief of these people. They look to you to guide them. Always remember that your father never sold his country. You must stop your ears whenever you are asked to sign a treaty selling your home. A few years more, and white men will be all around you. They have their eyes on this land. My son, never forget my dying words. This country holds your father's body. Never sell the bones of your father and your mother. "

Chief Joseph commented "I clasped my father's hand and promised to do as he asked. A man who would not defend his father's grave is worse than a wild animal."