Hiking Hells Canyon

The Snake River National Recreation Trail (#102) winds it way along the Idaho side of the Wild and Scenic Snake River deep in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Beginning at the Snake River Trailhead near Pittsburg Landing, the trail goes across rocky slopes, under cliffs and along grassy canyons eventually ending at Brush Creek. This trail provides access to side trails that enter Hells Canyon Wilderness.

Section:Gallery

Sat., April 16, 2016

A Hells Canyon jet boat operator motors to Upper Pittsburg Landing to shuttle Spokane Mountaineers backpackers up the Snake River. RICH LANDERS richl@spokesman.com

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Spokane Mountaineer Tyler Nyman enjoys the Hells Canyon jet boat ride up the Snake River before starting a three-day hike back to Pittsburg Landing. Trail 102 is carved high in the basalt cliff in the background over a landmark known as Suicide Point.

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A Hells Canyon jet boat tour operator motors up through Granite Creek Rapid, rated Class IV, to drop off Spokane Mountaineers who'd booked a shuttle 26 miles upstream in order to hike back on Snake River Trail 102.

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Hiker Denise Beardsley and Randy Robinson hike up Snake River Trail 102 above Granite Creek Rapid in Hells Canyon.

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Hiker Denise Beardsley and Randy Robinson hike up Snake River Trail 102 above Granite Creek Rapid in Hells Canyon.

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Poison ivy is just leafing out in mid-April along Snake River Trail 2012 in Hells Canyon.

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Shuwen Wang encounters a "grove" of poison ivy along Snake River Trail 102.

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Randy Robinson hikes Snake River Trail 102 downstream from Bernard Creek in Hells Canyon.

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Backpacker Dave Drum passes through the lush green grassy area of Sheep Creek Ranch as he hikes along Snake River Trail 102 in Hells Canyon.

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Hikers pass a big-game mineral lick along Snake River Trail 102 near Johnson Bar in Hells Canyon.

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Wild hyacinth blooms along Snake River Trail 102 in Hells Canyon.

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Hikers approach the historic McGaffee Cabin at Bernard Creek along the Snake River Trail 102 in Hells Canyon.

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With snow still clinging to the Hells Canyon high country, backpackers enjoy green grass at a Bill's Creek campsite in April along Snake River Trail 102.

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Wildflowers in spring balance the harshness of the environment in Hells Canyon along Snake River Trail 102.

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Pine Bar camping area features a grove of ponderosa pines along Snake River Trail 102 in Hells Canyon.

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Prickly pear cactus is common along much of Snake River Trail 102 in Hells Canyon.

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Prickly pear cactus is common along much of Snake River Trail 102 in Hells Canyon.

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A jet boats round the bend below Suicide Point below Snake River Trail 102 in Hells Canyon.

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Jet boats run the river into Hells Canyon as seen from Snake River Trail 102 near Suicide Point.

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Lilacs bloom by the museum cabin at the Kirkwood Living History Ranch along Snake River Trail 102 in Hells Canyon.

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Mule deer move away from Snake River Trail 102 in Hells Canyon as hikers pass.

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A hiker greets the Hells Canyon sunrise on a high portion of Snake River Trail 102 downstream from Kirkwood Ranch.

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Arrowleaf balsamroot and Snake River phlox bloom in April along Trail 102 in Hells Canyon.

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