Backpack - Hells Canyon, Snake River and High Trail Loop

Covid-19--We will follow all Mountaineers Protocol--each participant is to bring a cloth facemask and hand sanitizer.  The mask must to worn when within 6' of others. 

Itinerary:

Day 1   Meet at Joseph, Ore at 10:00 AM and caravan to TH.  Hike Freezeout TH to Log creek camp, 7.2 miles, 2,500’ gain, 2000’ loss.

Day 2  Log Creek Camp to Yreka Creek Camp (on the Snake River) via the Sluice Creek Connector trail. 13.2 miles, 1500’ gain, 4000’ loss

Day 3 Yreka Camp to Salt Creek Camp (also on the Snake River) 6 miles, 500’ gain, 510’ loss. Plus after setting up camp hike an additional 4-6 miles RT, 500’ gain and loss, with day pack to evening dinner spot further down river. Return to Salt Creek Camp.

Day 4 Salt Creek Camp to Kneeland Ranch Camp (here we leave the riverside and head up the canyon wall to the HIgh Trail) 5.8 miles, 2,200’ gain, 500’ loss.  Set up camp.  Late afternoon hike with daypack up to Somers Point for amazing views and dinner, 4 miles RT, 1,872 gain and loss. Return to Kneeland Ranch.

Day 5 Kneeland Ranch Camp to Winsor Place Camp 9.8 miles, 800’ gain, 2000’ loss.  This section is view packed as we stay high and hug the canyon walls.

Day 6 Winsor Place Camp to Sluice Creek Trail Jct. 12.6 miles, 3000’ gain, 500’ loss. Additional great views.

Day 7 Sluice Creek Trail Jct to Freezeout TH, 13 miles, 2500’ gain, 3000’ loss.  We will be retracing the trail section we did on the first day and a half. -optional dinner at a restaurant in “oh so cute” Joseph, Ore.  Folks are on their own for the drive back and any lodging on the way Friday night.

Need I say that this is a unique and difficult trip, particularly so so early in the backpacking season.  It is Leader Permission Only Trip with several stipulations: 1) participate must have done a comparably difficult trip within the last year.  Please list the trip(s).  2) Participant need to have been hitting the trail regularly during the Winter/Spring and are in condition for such a strenuous trip. Please tell me what you have been doing, will do to be in condition. 3) Participants need to have been on a previous trip with the leader or known by them via the Mountaineers. Thanks--Rob

10:00AM Saturday at a yet to be determine location in Joseph, Ore.--a 7.5+ hour non-stop drive from Seattle.