Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
Has anyone done the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway in Eastern Oregon by RV? We have a 36ft 5th wheel and are planning a trip in that area next month. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you!
Forum Discussion
I'm not sure exactly what roads are part of the byway, but I'll describe the ones I've driven.
I84 to Enterprise to Joseph is basically flat 2 lane highway. It crosses a plateau between the deep river canyons (Snake, Salmon, Grand Ronde), and the mountains. It's the easiest way to Joseph.
An indication of the grades around Enterprise - there's an abandoned railway grade from Joseph to Enterprise. I saw a segment on Oregon Field Guide about a hand rail car tour on this route - with an easy downhill run to Enterprise, and an easy uphill climb back to Joseph.
Lewiston WA south climbs to a summit (and modest state park), then snakes down to river level. This is nicknamed Rattlesnake grade. Lots of curves and a steady grade, but not impossible in an RV. It then climbs up to the Enterprise level and runs straight south.
All roads east of Joseph drop or climb. There's a paved forest service road around the east side of the mountains to Halfway. It doesn't have all the markings of a state highway, but otherwise is ok driving. I believe it has the only paved sidetrip to a Hells Canyon overview. There are a few other overviews that let you see the river, but they involve miles of gravel road. Look at the wheelingit link for a description of the drive to Hat Point.
Before reaching Halfway it meets a state highway climbing from the Oxbow dam and river crossing.
I haven't driven west of Halfway. Instead I took a gravel road south along the river to Ontario.
Oxbow east into Idaho climbs to US95, which will take you back to Lewiston. 95 drops from New Meadows to the Salmon River, and climbs back up to plateau level at Whitebird. It then has a gradual drop back to Lewiston (the lowest point in Idaho).
http://hellscanyonbyway.com/
I84 to Enterprise to Joseph is basically flat 2 lane highway. It crosses a plateau between the deep river canyons (Snake, Salmon, Grand Ronde), and the mountains. It's the easiest way to Joseph.
An indication of the grades around Enterprise - there's an abandoned railway grade from Joseph to Enterprise. I saw a segment on Oregon Field Guide about a hand rail car tour on this route - with an easy downhill run to Enterprise, and an easy uphill climb back to Joseph.
Lewiston WA south climbs to a summit (and modest state park), then snakes down to river level. This is nicknamed Rattlesnake grade. Lots of curves and a steady grade, but not impossible in an RV. It then climbs up to the Enterprise level and runs straight south.
All roads east of Joseph drop or climb. There's a paved forest service road around the east side of the mountains to Halfway. It doesn't have all the markings of a state highway, but otherwise is ok driving. I believe it has the only paved sidetrip to a Hells Canyon overview. There are a few other overviews that let you see the river, but they involve miles of gravel road. Look at the wheelingit link for a description of the drive to Hat Point.
Before reaching Halfway it meets a state highway climbing from the Oxbow dam and river crossing.
I haven't driven west of Halfway. Instead I took a gravel road south along the river to Ontario.
Oxbow east into Idaho climbs to US95, which will take you back to Lewiston. 95 drops from New Meadows to the Salmon River, and climbs back up to plateau level at Whitebird. It then has a gradual drop back to Lewiston (the lowest point in Idaho).
http://hellscanyonbyway.com/
