Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 26, 2015)
Experience The Wallowas Zach Mansfield Zach Mansfield Winter water offers unique views, adventure to be accessing water (and therefore views) that are hard to reach any other way. Second, the views are There are a couple of really good reasons to get your be- stunning and unique. In addi- hind good and cold rafting or tion to seeing layered basalt kayaking in the winter months. coming right down to the riv- )RU VWDUWHUV WKH ÀRZ LV er, depending on the time of good to decent as early as year and which river you take, October and as late as July paddlers may spot mountain on the Grande Ronde and Mi- goats, bighorn sheep, lions, nam. The Wallowa sometimes bears, bald and golden eagles, freezes over in late November and deer. The photos you take and early December, but the cannot be matched. Third, this is the time to ice is usually gone by Febru- DU\DQGZKHQÀRDWLQJWKH:DO- see cougar tracks in the snow, lowa in winter you are going mountain goats on the rocks, By Kathleen Ellyn Wallowa County Chieftain Cold weather backcountry hiking, and why you should try it bile in and snowshoe when you get there, you’ll need to stick with the Wenaha Trailhead at First a warning: this experi- Troy. Although the cost of gear can ence is not for the casual hiker. If, however, you are an ex- be much less than for snowmo- perienced outdoorsperson who biling, skiing or mountaineer- wants to fully experience all ing, winter hiking requires the nature has to offer, there’s no same good preparation and a reason you can’t prepare for an self-reliant character. There’s no cell service in the adventure in Wallowa County canyon and you may be hiking like no other. This article will focus on a over some snow and ice, so winter hike on the Wenaha Riv- equip yourself appropriately and er Trail, which follows the Wild ¿OHDQ(VWLPDWHG7LPHRI$UULY- and Scenic Wenaha River west DO(7$DQGDÀLJKWSODQKLN- into the Wenaha – Tucannon ing plan in this case) with some- one who will follow up if you Wilderness. A properly prepared hiker fail to show up at the appointed FDQ¿QGGR]HQVRIJUHDWZLQWHU time — and will know where to hikes in Wallowa County. We’re look for you. You may want to camp, there choosing the Wenaha River Trail because, according to river are a number of good campsites guide Grant Richie of Minam along the trail, and Richie, who River Rafting, you can hike to is a minimalist, has boiled his the bottom of the canyon most camp gear needs down to a mountaineering Tee-Pee tent, a any time of year. And the views in the canyon hammock, a zero-degree sleep- ing bag and a Jet Boil stove. are gob-smacking. “Winter time is one of my fa- Naturally, you’ll have your wa- vorite times to hike the canyon,” ter and lightweight, high-calorie Richie said. “You can see big- food and other essentials with horn sheep at the bottom of the you and you will be prepared canyon and it’s real pretty down to pack out what you pack in — this is a “leave no trace” area. there.” $ FDPS¿UH FDQ KHOS NHHS The trailhead is not main- tained in winter and no one can you warm overnight, but there guarantee you accessibility. It’s DUHRWKHUUHDVRQVIRUWKH¿UH ³, DOZD\V EXLOG D ¿UH LQ advisable to call a local guide or the Forest Service in advance of camp,” Richie said. “It keeps you warm, it’s nice to look into, your planned hike. If the signs are good — drive and it keeps the critters away.” There will be critters. That’s to Troy. You will not need a Recre- part of why you came. The good thing about winter ation Pass to park at the Wenaha River Trailhead, which is ac- hiking is no snakes, and if you’re cessed right at Troy, and you can afraid of bears, no bears. But a walk the trail, along the Wenaha cougar has stalked Richie and River, for 21 miles to the forks another river guide observed a ZLQWHU¿VKHUPDQEHLQJZDWFKHG of the river at Elk Flat. Beyond that, you’ll climb by a wolf in late October. Mostly you will see bighorn 3,100 feet in 11 miles from Elk Flat Trail to Timothy Springs sheep, raptors including bald and your chance of encountering and golden eagles and other trail conditions not conducive to shy wildlife. You may also see moose, elk, snowshoe hare and hiking increase dramatically. In warm weather you can ac- perhaps catch a glimpse of a re- FHVV¿YHJUHDWWUDLOKHDGVRQWKH treating bobcat or cougar. “The winter hike, for me, is south side of the Wenaha River from Forest Service Road 62 very meditative,” Richie said. with your vehicle: Troy, Hoo- “The rock formations, the big doo, Cross Canyon, Elk Flat and Ponderosa pines — they speak Timothy Springs. But in winter, to me. It’s a connection with unless you’re going to snowmo- something very basic.” By Kathleen Ellyn Wallowa County Chieftain Courtesy photo/Grant Richie A well-prepared hiker/rafter with a packable raft heads into Joseph Canyon. Notice, the hike itself requires a significant fitness level and preparedness. This is not a hike/float recommended for beginners and can be a very cold float for anyone, but shorter combined float/hikes can be had. Courtesy photo/Grant Richie Where small town values meet exceptional care. 306 West North Street 211 East 2nd Street Enterprise, OR Wallowa, OR (541) 426-7171 (541) 886-2152 Monday – Friday Thursday Hours: 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. and the Wallowa River in par- ticular is a good “starter riv- er” for the beginner. A BLM ranger once told Richie that the Wallowa ought to be rated “Class C for Complacent.” His point was that the river was very paddler-friendly. So, you should be able to take your eyes off the river and HQMR\WKDWVFHQHU\DV\RXÀRDW Winter rafters and kay- akers may not want to take WKH ORQJ PLOH ÀRDW IURP the Minam Store to Wildcat Bridge, Mud Creek or Troy. But there are multiple stops along the way to haul out and hike back to a trailhead where someone will have parked your car. Richie recommends putting in at Lower Diamond /DQH DQG ÀRDWLQJ GRZQ WR the Minam Store (10 miles). $QRWKHUJRRGZLQWHUÀRDWFDQ be had by driving out to Troy (usually doable in winter) and hiking upstream on the Wena- ha whatever distance you like (up to 21 miles to the forks of WKH:HQDKDDQGÀRDWLQJEDFN to Troy. Packable rafts weigh- ing from four to 10 pounds are available and Richie has ex- perimented with kayak dollies — check with him for advice on hauling your kayak. Minam Raft Rentals can be hired to pick you and your gear up ($35 – $100) at a trail- head. Once you’re on the river, you pretty much go where the river goes, but for more secu- rity and education, pick up a river map ($12). Demonstrating the doable nature of the Grande Ronde in February, Brendan and Mason Moore (10 at the time of the photo) push off for a float. They were accompanied by their river guide Dad, Grant Richie. FA M I LY H E A LT H , i n c . 2 Clinic Locations to Serve You: DQG VQRZÀDNHV PHOWLQJ LQWR the river. No snakes or bears in winter. If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with nature in a pristine setting, here it is. You will have to prepare — but that’s part of the fun for backcountry explorers. You don’t need to be a pro- fessional kayaker, but basic rowing or paddling skills are essential. “You don’t want to swim in February,” advises river guide Grant Richie of Minam Raft Rentals. Fate favors the well-pre- pared, so Richie recommends, in addition to the usual life vest and helmet, a dry suit or waders, thermal underwear, good parka, hat, gloves and protected change of clothing. If you’ve got one, take your SAT phone; you’re not go- ing to get cell service in the canyons. But that’s one of the reasons you go, isn’t it? Even well-dressed, a cold behind is pretty much guar- anteed, so plan on getting out and walking on the bank from time to time to get the circula- WLRQJRLQJ,I\RX¶UHÀRDWLQJ GXULQJ ¿VKLQJ VHDVRQ \RX will, anyway. The Minam is FORVHGWR¿VKLQJLQWKHZLQWHU but both steelhead and trout FDQEH¿VKHGRQWKH:DOORZD and steelhead can be found in the Grande Ronde. Check \RXU¿VKLQJUHJXODWLRQV 7KHNH\WRDVDIHÀRDWWULS Richie said, is “don’t get com- placent on any water.” Wallowa County rivers are easy going most of the time Pick up your prescription & over the counter needs inside or from the comfort of your car! Compassionate • Convenient • Confidential Pharmacy Location: 306 West North Street Enterprise, OR • (541) 426-7455 Hours: 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.