Pamela’s guidebook
Favorite Hikes
There are lots of hikes within minutes or hours of the River House. Here are some of my favorites:
A Nature Conservancy trail, about 2.5 miles to an old abandoned cabin. No dogs allowed on trail, or horses. Parking along the Imnaha Hwy. Watch for where it takes off about 20 miles out of Joseph, and on the right. A small footbridge over Little Sheep Creek. Not marked. Spring, fall, winter hiking.
Devils Gulch
A Nature Conservancy trail, about 2.5 miles to an old abandoned cabin. No dogs allowed on trail, or horses. Parking along the Imnaha Hwy. Watch for where it takes off about 20 miles out of Joseph, and on the right. A small footbridge over Little Sheep Creek. Not marked. Spring, fall, winter hiking.
Three mile trail on the way to Hat Point. You'll eventually end up at Cayuse Flat. A great view, rigorous hike. Good spring, early summer, or fall hike.
Wood Camp Creek
Three mile trail on the way to Hat Point. You'll eventually end up at Cayuse Flat. A great view, rigorous hike. Good spring, early summer, or fall hike.
This is a good spring, fall, or winter hike up a gradual 3 miles climb to a saddle and overlook into Hells Canyon. You access it by driving approx. 8 miles up the Imnaha River Rd and turning right at Freezeout Creek.
Freezeout Saddle
This is a good spring, fall, or winter hike up a gradual 3 miles climb to a saddle and overlook into Hells Canyon. You access it by driving approx. 8 miles up the Imnaha River Rd and turning right at Freezeout Creek.
A roundtrip of 9 miles from where you park at the bridge. A 4.5 mile hike beside the Imnaha River to the mouth at the Snake River. Easy trail and spectacular views. Spring, Fall, and Winter recommended. Watch for poison oak!
Cow Creek Bridge
A roundtrip of 9 miles from where you park at the bridge. A 4.5 mile hike beside the Imnaha River to the mouth at the Snake River. Easy trail and spectacular views. Spring, Fall, and Winter recommended. Watch for poison oak!
This is NOT a village site, but was the only way I could post it here. The trail takes off after you leave Cow Creek, and on the road to Dug Bar up a hill. Should be a marker there. About 9 miles to walk all the way down to Dug Bar. We always have someone drive around with a pickup! Amazing views. Historic trail.
Nimiipuu Village Sites
This is NOT a village site, but was the only way I could post it here. The trail takes off after you leave Cow Creek, and on the road to Dug Bar up a hill. Should be a marker there. About 9 miles to walk all the way down to Dug Bar. We always have someone drive around with a pickup! Amazing views. Historic trail.
Once you reach Dug Bar (an old cattle operation with a few buildings still standing and backcountry airstrip) on the Snake River you will be at the end of the road. Find the historical marker showing the place that Joseph and the Nez Perce fled the soldiers pursuing them and forded the river. Nice trail around to Dug Creek, about 2.5, or 3.0 miles. Then, miles and miles of Hells Canyon trails. Only one government out house and lots of camping spots, but no picnic tables!
Dug Bar Road
Dug Bar RoadOnce you reach Dug Bar (an old cattle operation with a few buildings still standing and backcountry airstrip) on the Snake River you will be at the end of the road. Find the historical marker showing the place that Joseph and the Nez Perce fled the soldiers pursuing them and forded the river. Nice trail around to Dug Creek, about 2.5, or 3.0 miles. Then, miles and miles of Hells Canyon trails. Only one government out house and lots of camping spots, but no picnic tables!
Hells Canyon Overlook
National Forest Development Road 490Fantastic view. Good road. Trail leading off the top, I think.
A great spinetingling drive out of Imnaha up a draw and over hairpin turns and steep precipices. Go slow and the road isn't too bad. The view is worth it at the top. Takes about 1.5 hours to reach the fire tower. Usually someone there in the summer. Closed in the winter.
Hat Point Overlook
A great spinetingling drive out of Imnaha up a draw and over hairpin turns and steep precipices. Go slow and the road isn't too bad. The view is worth it at the top. Takes about 1.5 hours to reach the fire tower. Usually someone there in the summer. Closed in the winter.
And of course there are the high mountains! Access these out of Joseph, Oregon, at the head of the lake. Or hire an outfitter to take you in. Maybe a drop camp? Best in summer, and fall.
Eagle Cap
And of course there are the high mountains! Access these out of Joseph, Oregon, at the head of the lake. Or hire an outfitter to take you in. Maybe a drop camp? Best in summer, and fall.
This picture doesn't do it justice. It is spectacular. Period. No wonder Chief Joseph spent his entire life trying to return. A nice access for boats and swimming at the foot of the lake, and only one mile out of Joseph.
23 habitants recommandent
Wallowa Lake
This picture doesn't do it justice. It is spectacular. Period. No wonder Chief Joseph spent his entire life trying to return. A nice access for boats and swimming at the foot of the lake, and only one mile out of Joseph.
Go out and see the wildflowers and raptor birds on the Zumwalt, one of the last pristine prairies left. Good places to hike and knowledgeable people in the office in Enterprise if you have questions.
If you keep going out that Zumwalt road look for the Buckhorn firetower site (unmanned) and one hell of a view. A good place to ride bikes! Don't know about the trails...
Zumwalt-Buckhorn Road
Zumwalt-Buckhorn RoadGo out and see the wildflowers and raptor birds on the Zumwalt, one of the last pristine prairies left. Good places to hike and knowledgeable people in the office in Enterprise if you have questions.
If you keep going out that Zumwalt road look for the Buckhorn firetower site (unmanned) and one hell of a view. A good place to ride bikes! Don't know about the trails...
You access this trail out of Joseph or Enterprise, up Hurricane Creek. A beautiful walk along the river. Gray granite rock and snowy peaks and alpine beauty. Gradual climb up and up and up.
Hurricane Creek Trailhead
You access this trail out of Joseph or Enterprise, up Hurricane Creek. A beautiful walk along the river. Gray granite rock and snowy peaks and alpine beauty. Gradual climb up and up and up.