Nikson
Explorer
Seeing a few reports of Hells Canyon area (and living in Oregon), I was getting tempted to head out and see it all for myself. This year was plentiful with snow in our area, so from what I've heard it was impassible for sometime into the summer months.
Anyways, plan was to camp at 2 different spots - Lord Flat & Dug Bar Ranch area campground.
So, keeping in mind that we've started off in Salem, Oregon, route was very similar to this link below...
http://g.co/maps/u3p4
only difference is that GoogleMaps doesnt show the road out to Lord Flat pass the Hat Point Lookout Tower area.
Anyways, enough with the boring stuff...
=========================
on our way to Enterprise, Oregon. Few road construction areas on the way...
The view was already getting interesting...
When we got to Joseph, we topped off everything (I carry 2x5Gal Jerry Cans), did a quick check on "all systems go". Keep in mind thats the last town w/fuel supply once you go up into hills.
Imnaha is technically last town on your way into Hells Canyon area, but there isnt much there. Imnaha has a smaller size store which will have some basics like bread, butter, milk, eggs, water, sodas, beer & few other things. We got a "funny" look to say the least when we came inside... All of the folks looked at us like "Oh, no... more outsiders!" - but in a warm-welcoming way... LOL...
so, once we got through Imnaha, straight off that highway, you come onto Hat Point Road, about 1/2 mile into it, we found couple of trees, and aired down to 20 PSI. After all, it is an "unimproved - unpaved" road w/ lots of washboard & some uneven surface.
This is one of the first lookouts on the Hat Point Rd.
still very "clean & dust free"
Climb up to Hat Point Lookout Tower was rather slow, but very scenic. Set lots of time aside, take it easy because there are few sharp turns, and its very unpredictable where you never know what/who you got coming up around the next turn.
If you get to the tower early enough, you will catch a GREAT view of a sunrise, most likely get some wild goats/sheep in your view. Having bino's definitely a big help.
View from the top of the tower... looking East
from the start, plan was to get to Lord Flat, so we continued on. You will come across bunch of downgrades, steep uphills & off-camber spots on your way. Nothing to terrible, but if you dont feel right with those things, dont go in there, especially on your own, or with a 4x2 type vehicle (alone).
I am a strong believer that its all about the driver, and not the car. I wouldnt take my BMW out to Lord Flat, but any sedan with a bit higher ground clearance (Honda Accord/Toyota Camry/Chevy Impala), I think I would make it through just fine (keep in mind I am talking about DRY conditions only).
Half Way to Lord Flat
Lord Flat - about 2-3 hr drive from Lookout tower, depending on how many "picture" stops you do.
night sky was great, beautiful bright moon & plenty of stars...
almost a "full moon"
more to come in part II
Anyways, plan was to camp at 2 different spots - Lord Flat & Dug Bar Ranch area campground.
So, keeping in mind that we've started off in Salem, Oregon, route was very similar to this link below...
http://g.co/maps/u3p4
only difference is that GoogleMaps doesnt show the road out to Lord Flat pass the Hat Point Lookout Tower area.
Anyways, enough with the boring stuff...
=========================
on our way to Enterprise, Oregon. Few road construction areas on the way...
![IMG_0594.CR2.jpg](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IXF_RkDTrf4/TlcmVlJ9kPI/AAAAAAAAIXc/fTdk-gNrJrA/s640/IMG_0594.CR2.jpg)
The view was already getting interesting...
![IMG_0599.CR2.jpg](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Kr458UmtyPA/TlcmXY_jxOI/AAAAAAAAIXo/jC--3PT7_3g/s640/IMG_0599.CR2.jpg)
When we got to Joseph, we topped off everything (I carry 2x5Gal Jerry Cans), did a quick check on "all systems go". Keep in mind thats the last town w/fuel supply once you go up into hills.
Imnaha is technically last town on your way into Hells Canyon area, but there isnt much there. Imnaha has a smaller size store which will have some basics like bread, butter, milk, eggs, water, sodas, beer & few other things. We got a "funny" look to say the least when we came inside... All of the folks looked at us like "Oh, no... more outsiders!" - but in a warm-welcoming way... LOL...
so, once we got through Imnaha, straight off that highway, you come onto Hat Point Road, about 1/2 mile into it, we found couple of trees, and aired down to 20 PSI. After all, it is an "unimproved - unpaved" road w/ lots of washboard & some uneven surface.
This is one of the first lookouts on the Hat Point Rd.
![%25255BGroup%2525201%25255D-IMG_0609.CR2_IMG_0615.CR2-7%252520images.jpg](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DcleeGkGcPc/TlcmaOqKhmI/AAAAAAAAIYA/wX0oQR-J6KQ/s640/%25255BGroup%2525201%25255D-IMG_0609.CR2_IMG_0615.CR2-7%252520images.jpg)
still very "clean & dust free"
![IMG_0631.CR2.jpg](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FVEOYxNfpWE/TlcmcfNeXII/AAAAAAAAIYQ/8U4eHeYQgwk/s640/IMG_0631.CR2.jpg)
Climb up to Hat Point Lookout Tower was rather slow, but very scenic. Set lots of time aside, take it easy because there are few sharp turns, and its very unpredictable where you never know what/who you got coming up around the next turn.
If you get to the tower early enough, you will catch a GREAT view of a sunrise, most likely get some wild goats/sheep in your view. Having bino's definitely a big help.
![IMG_0636.CR2.jpg](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gIPyoZDipeg/TlcmdajPZ7I/AAAAAAAAIYY/0bGH-35UMDQ/s640/IMG_0636.CR2.jpg)
View from the top of the tower... looking East
![%25255BGroup%2525203%25255D-IMG_0644.CR2_IMG_0653.CR2-10%252520images.jpg](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tjXFTJ5s1MA/TlcmhXfcP7I/AAAAAAAAIY4/b_epUR6Qshs/s640/%25255BGroup%2525203%25255D-IMG_0644.CR2_IMG_0653.CR2-10%252520images.jpg)
from the start, plan was to get to Lord Flat, so we continued on. You will come across bunch of downgrades, steep uphills & off-camber spots on your way. Nothing to terrible, but if you dont feel right with those things, dont go in there, especially on your own, or with a 4x2 type vehicle (alone).
I am a strong believer that its all about the driver, and not the car. I wouldnt take my BMW out to Lord Flat, but any sedan with a bit higher ground clearance (Honda Accord/Toyota Camry/Chevy Impala), I think I would make it through just fine (keep in mind I am talking about DRY conditions only).
Half Way to Lord Flat
![IMG_0666.CR2.jpg](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lMTwuCwEC8o/TlcmjoATVEI/AAAAAAAAIZI/nb2TrPER8LE/s640/IMG_0666.CR2.jpg)
Lord Flat - about 2-3 hr drive from Lookout tower, depending on how many "picture" stops you do.
![IMG_0675.CR2.jpg](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uwDS57YNuUU/TlcmmNUVZSI/AAAAAAAAIZc/Ydck7SIWlXQ/s640/IMG_0675.CR2.jpg)
night sky was great, beautiful bright moon & plenty of stars...
![IMG_0703.CR2.jpg](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PccO81QORT0/TlcmrHvLs4I/AAAAAAAAIaE/75-59zcokrI/s640/IMG_0703.CR2.jpg)
almost a "full moon"
![IMG_0698.CR2.jpg](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GFNOsk6hFKs/TlcmpWIVdpI/AAAAAAAAIZ0/vXCPnKtzpk0/s640/IMG_0698.CR2.jpg)
more to come in part II