Hells Canyon Loop Backpack May 28 - June 2, 2018
Published on 11/17/2018
This was a five-day, 50-miler with 8000 feet of elevation gain. We experienced spectacular canyon scenery, unlike anything I've personally seen so far. We had sun, rain, snow, a mountain goat, a couple of snakes, lots of elk, rugged and faint trails, solitude, stream crossings and sweeping views from Hat Point lookout to the Snake River 5,000+ feet below. We had the full spectrum of weather, from warm sunshine, to soaking rain, and even some snow and frozen wet boots. Long stretches of the trail were remote, and we had our share of bushwhacking through sections that looked like they hadn't been maintained for years. After enduring one of the wettest, coldest and most challenging days and nights I've ever known, we awoke to sunshine and spent our next and final night at the "camp from heaven," with picture perfect views of the Seven Devils Range in Idaho. And I almost forgot to mention, the hills were covered with green grass and wildflowers. We timed it early enough to avoid the searing summer sun and brown landscape. This is one I will do again. The team: Shonee Langford (leader), Ralph Hall, Dave Foulger and Gavin Sublett.