Hells Canyon

Hells Canyon is a river gorge between Oregon and Idaho, carved by the Snake River into layered rock. The depth reaches roughly 2,400 meters (around 8,000 feet), making this the deepest gorge on the continent.

Nez Perce and Shoshone tribes lived along the river for thousands of years, relying on salmon runs for food. White settlers arrived in the 1860s seeking gold, which displaced the original way of life.

The name dates from the 1800s when early trappers and miners found the passage so difficult they used the word hell. Hikers can still spot ancient rock carvings along the lower ledges today, often showing animal figures and human shapes.

Three access roads lead to different viewpoints along the river, with campgrounds and information stations near the trailheads. Spring and fall offer the mildest weather, while midsummer can become very hot at the bottom.

The elevation difference between the river at roughly 430 meters (1,400 feet) and the peaks above 2,700 meters (9,000 feet) creates several climate zones in one gorge. Alpine flowers grow on the slopes alongside desert plants, each adapted to its elevation band.