Hell’s Canyon
Technically the deepest gorge in North America, Hell’s Canyon has a fascinating geologic history. Many of the rocks in the canyon were originally formed as part of an island arc in the ancient Pacific Ocean. Through the movement of the earth’s crustal plates, these ancient islands and sea floor collided with, and welded to, the existing North American continent. After millions of years of erosion, lava flows poured out of vents near the present-day border between Washington, Oregon and Idaho, covering much of the region surrounding Hell’s Canyon. Then, as if that weren’t enough, the rocks in the canyon were lifted up and shifted along fault lines. Although the canyon we now know is only 2 million years old, rocks within the canyon may be as old as 300 million years.
We sped through this geologic wonder today, marveling at the canyon above us from the comfortable seats of a jet boat on the Snake River. Sunshine warmed us all day long, as we traveled 60 miles upriver from Clarkston, into the lower reaches of Hell’s Canyon. Our day included stopping for a stroll at Cache Creek, where we picked plenty of ripe, delicious plums, figs, apples and grapes. Farther upriver we stopped for an amazingly close view of a band of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, the stunning geometric patterns of columnar basalt and the terminus of the wild and scenic Salmon River. Picnicking on the deck of the Heller Bar Lodge, we were surprised by a curious beaver wandering up the boat ramp!
Returning to the ship in the late afternoon, most folks opted to pack for the journey overland to Missoula. Although today was the last day aboard the Sea Lion, the expedition continues. The next two days will be spent traveling along the Clearwater River and over Lolo Pass, visiting many of the Corps of Discovery’s camp sites and places noted in their journals.
Technically the deepest gorge in North America, Hell’s Canyon has a fascinating geologic history. Many of the rocks in the canyon were originally formed as part of an island arc in the ancient Pacific Ocean. Through the movement of the earth’s crustal plates, these ancient islands and sea floor collided with, and welded to, the existing North American continent. After millions of years of erosion, lava flows poured out of vents near the present-day border between Washington, Oregon and Idaho, covering much of the region surrounding Hell’s Canyon. Then, as if that weren’t enough, the rocks in the canyon were lifted up and shifted along fault lines. Although the canyon we now know is only 2 million years old, rocks within the canyon may be as old as 300 million years.
We sped through this geologic wonder today, marveling at the canyon above us from the comfortable seats of a jet boat on the Snake River. Sunshine warmed us all day long, as we traveled 60 miles upriver from Clarkston, into the lower reaches of Hell’s Canyon. Our day included stopping for a stroll at Cache Creek, where we picked plenty of ripe, delicious plums, figs, apples and grapes. Farther upriver we stopped for an amazingly close view of a band of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, the stunning geometric patterns of columnar basalt and the terminus of the wild and scenic Salmon River. Picnicking on the deck of the Heller Bar Lodge, we were surprised by a curious beaver wandering up the boat ramp!
Returning to the ship in the late afternoon, most folks opted to pack for the journey overland to Missoula. Although today was the last day aboard the Sea Lion, the expedition continues. The next two days will be spent traveling along the Clearwater River and over Lolo Pass, visiting many of the Corps of Discovery’s camp sites and places noted in their journals.
