On the border between Oregon and Idaho, the Snake River winds through the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. We’ll take a jet boat with all our gear from Hells Canyon Dam downstream to where we’ll camp for the week at Bernard Creek. This is a primitive backcountry campsite on the Snake River. ITA will bring group camping gear, including kitchen gear and a large group tent. Boise State students and staff with ITA crew leads will spend the week working on the Bernard Creek Trail, which heads straight up the canyon to Dry Diggins Ridge. We can also head north from camp and work along the Snake River Trail towards Sheep Creek. Hells Canyon has an incredible history, diverse wildlife, and remarkable scenery.
Trails: Bernard Creek Trail #58 and Snake River National Recreation Trail #102
Itinerary: Crew to meet at Hells Canyon Dam at Sunday to be jet boated into camp. Sunday set up camp and learn trail/ tool basics, with a little trail work. Monday-Friday work up Bernard Creek and along the Snake River Trail. Day off during the week to relax/explore. Sunday, pack up camp in the morning, with the boat picking us up and taking us back to Hells Canyon Dam.
Crew Leader: Leslie Anderson
More Information: Non-ITA Trip report from April 2021 of the Snake River Trail. Hells Canyon Overview from the Forest Service Website
Estimated Drive Time from Closest Town: Hells Canyon Dam is 3.5 hours from Boise, and 2 hours from Baker City.
GAIA Map: Bernard Creek Snake River Trail
Difficulty Rating
Volunteer Spots Available: 8 of 15
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