You should be well past the training wheels stage when you bike Hells Canyon: Fall off and it's a loooong way down to the bottom of the deepest canyon in North America. But stay away from the edge, check your fear of heights, and pedal on to breathtaking scenery. Easy to grueling—your pick...
Western Rim: Upside is constant gee-whiz canyon scenery. Downside: all those @!&# motorcycles and ATVs.
Imnaha River Trail: Low altitude breeze along the riverside past ghost towns, through wildflowers.
Windy Ridge: Medium length, medium difficulty, medium—NOT! views. Spectacular.
Somers Point: Nice and short, with superlative views and a chance to see some elk.
Western Rim
This one-way tour follows a gradual ridge line from Warnock Corral to Lord Flat. Expect to descend and ascend three steep saddles (Indian Grave, 7 mile, and 9 mile), making the ride more difficult. The scenery is constant, with spectacular views of the Hells Canyon Wilderness and the Snake River Canyon.
Length of Ride: 15 miles or 2-4 hours estimated time
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Level of Use: Medium to high
Condition: Singletrack 4-wheel-drive road
Elevation Range: 5,600' to 6,000'
Season: Summer and fall
Hazards: 4x4 vehicles
Emergency Services: Nearest telephone in Imnaha. Emergency telephone number: Enterprise Sheriff 426-3131.
Location: 2 hours or 65 miles from Enterprise, Oregon; 1 hour or 32 miles from Imnaha, Oregon
Access: Take Highway #82 south from Enterprise to Joseph. From Joseph, take a left onto State Highway #350 to Imnaha. From Imnaha follow Forest Road #4240 to Warnock Corral Trailhead. There is designated parking at the trailhead.
Imnaha River Trail
This is a one-way ride following the Imnaha River over a gradual elevation gain. The trail follows the west side of the Imnaha River to its confluence with the Snake River. The lower Imnaha River is dramatic with its steep, jagged canyon. Remnants of an old historic mining town from the late 1800's and early 1900's are still visible at Eureka Bar/Mountain Chief complex at the end of this trail. There are a few dispersed campsites at Eureka Creek. This trail also offers excellent wildlife viewings; you may even catch a glimpse of some of the bighorn sheep that reside in the area. There are many wildflowers along the trail. This trail is popular for its prime fishing, hiking, and pack saddle opportunities.
Type of Trail Use: ATV: minor—first 3 miles; motorcycles: minor—first 3 miles
Length of Ride: 4 miles, 1 hour estimated time
Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Use: Medium
Condition: Single-width standard trail with native material surface
Elevation Range: Trailhead 1,139'; Eureka Bar 958'
Season: Spring, summer, fall, and winter
Hazards: Keep a lookout for poison ivy and rattlesnakes
Emergency Services: Nearest telephone: Imnaha
Location: 1.5 hours or 25 miles from Imnaha, Oregon
Access: Take State Highway 350 from Joseph OR travel approximately 33 miles to Imnaha. At the town of Imnaha, take a left onto paved County Road #735. The County Road turns to a steep, narrow dirt road, Forest Road #4260, after approximately 4 miles. This road is a one-lane, rough, rugged road and is slippery when wet. We suggest only high-clearance vehicles, but passenger cars can travel this road under dry conditions. Cow Creek Bridge is approximately 14 miles from the beginning of the dirt surface. The trailhead is located on the left side of the road as you approach the Cow Creek bridge.
Windy Ridge
This trail was a motorized trail converted into a non-motorized trail. It follows a gradual ridge for approximately 7 miles then a steep saddle exists, which will increase the difficulty level. Once at Coffee Pot the trail becomes gradual again with beautiful panoramic views and wildlife. Other trails and possible loops exit from Windy Ridge trail, but some have very steep ups and downs that require a very aggressive rider.
Length of Ride: 9 miles or 1-1/2 hours estimated time
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Level of Use: Medium
Condition: Single-width standard trail with native material surface
Elevation Range: 6,000' to 5,200'
Season: Summer and fall
Hazards: Steep drop-offs along trail
Emergency Services: Nearest telephone: Imnaha. Emergency telephone number: Enterprise Sheriff 426-3131.
Location: 2 hours or 65 miles from Enterprise, Oregon; 1 hour or 32 miles from Imnaha, Oregon
Access: Lake Highway 82 south from Enterprise to Joseph. From Joseph, take a left onto State Highway #350 to Imnaha. From Imnaha follow Forest Road #4240 to Warnock Corral Trailhead. From Warnock Corral go approximately 3 miles to Trail #1782.
Somers Point
This road was closed to motorized travel in 1985. The ride is fairly gradual throughout with one minimal saddle. Somers Point provides you with incredible views of the Snake River Canyon. Elk herds are frequently seen on the surrounding hills.
Length of Ride: 2-1/2 miles, 1/2 hour estimated time
Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Use: Medium
Condition: Singletrack/4-wheel-drive road
Elevation Range: 6,000' minimal gain or loss in elevation
Season: Summer and fall
Hazards: None
Emergency Services: Nearest telephone: Imnaha. Emergency telephone number: Enterprise 503-426-3131.
Location: 2 hours or 65 miles from Enterprise, Oregon; 1 hour or 32 miles from Imnaha, Oregon
Access: Take Highway #82 south from Enterprise to Joseph. From Joseph, take a left onto State Highway #350 to Imnaha. From Imnaha follow Forest Road #4240 to Warnock Corral Trailhead. Start the ride here, adding 10 miles, or take 4-wheel road #1774, approximately 10 miles to start from trail #1767.
Incidentals
Summer Hours
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Winter Hours
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where are you going?
What do you want to do?
