Hell's Canyon Info needed

[pushrod]

I know Dante'sDame spoke of going through in her trip report to the Colorado meet. I'm sure others have also. What I'm wondering is if there is a way THROUGH as opposed to ride in, turn around, ride out. The maps look like a dead end. Is this the case? Any word on best (scenic/twisted pavement) routes?
 
Many Thx, All.

[greench440]

Heading east from Baker City Oregon on OR 86, you will cross the snake river.  If you make a left and head north, it's 20 or so miles to the dead end at the dam. If you take a right, you will head south to Cambridge/Boise.
 
If you have time, the 20 miles to the dam is a cool ride.

[r2t2]

By boat...

[Mr Sunshine]

Yup you have to ride into it, ride to the end and then turn around.  To make it a loop if you are heading east you need to turn off north/west of baker city to make the loop.  I would plan for a good part of a day to make that loop.

[Vladimir]

Yup you have to ride into it, ride to the end and then turn around.

It's worth the ride out though... there's rock in a few of the corners heading out to the dam but you can mostly anticipate it.

Here's a couple of photos that illustrate the ride out, these are from the meet we had there earlier this year.

This is your basic scenery heading out to the Hell's Canyon area from Baker City


This is down inside the canyon, you can see the road to the dam running along the right side of the river.  It's like that just about all the way out and back.


If you have time, you can follow the signs up to the outlook once you're back out of the canyon but it's really only worth it for the scenery, the road is fairly rough compared to the rest of the ride.

[greench440]

Wow Vlad, that second pic is awesome, the lake is almost jumping out of the canyon.  I've got that pic of the dirt on BigBlock's busa I took in the visitor parking lot around here somewhere.

[XLR8]

You can ride out if you have a dual sport. I believe (going from memory) there is a dirt road out and toward Council, ID after the Oxbow damn. That's not exactly through the canyon but close. I'd have to check a map because I haven't been on those dirt roads since I was a kid. I really really need a GS!

Also, someone in Joseph, OR was telling me you can ride out to Imnaha, OR on a dirt road. I haven't checked it out on a map yet.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I know Dante'sDame spoke of going through in her trip report to the Colorado meet.

Yeah, my report wasn't exactly clear on that. I never went to Hell's Canyon as referenced by the posts above. I rode through the Hell's Canyon Recreation Area though, further north and in Idaho. It's all beautiful and worth checking out

[UHOH]

Heading east from Baker City Oregon on OR 86, you will cross the snake river. [...]  If you have time, the 20 miles to the dam is a cool ride.

agree.

and there's gas (reg only)/convenience store food on each side of the river (just a few miles from the water)

[pushrod]

Thanks to all. Vlad - pics are wonderful, Thank You!
 
It looks like the section that's dead end is not long and worth the look.
 
I appreciate your help, all.