(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)
The theme of this year’s Cycle Oregon is “Hell on Wheels.” So, despite the major change in plans I shared last night, today we were given the option of biking into Hells Canyon. So you better believe we took it.
At nearly 8,000 feet from summit to the Snake River, Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America. We didn’t get into the heart of the canyon today, but we were able to get a taste of its magnificence. We rode from Cambridge, Idaho along Highway 71 down to Oxbow Dam. A total of about 80 miles out-and-back. On our way to Oxbow Dam we rode through the Payette National Forest and cruised high above Brownlee Reservoir.
After getting pounded with rain all night last night (a record amount, according to organizers), the weather down in the canyon was glorious. 75 degrees or so with blue skies and a few high clouds. It was quiet and serene down there. It’s a shame we couldn’t go further into the canyon; but now I have a reason to come back.
Here’s a bit more of what I saw out there today…
Hope you’ve enjoyed this little slice of Cycle Oregon. Stay tuned for a change of pace with tomorrow’s coverage. Because of the fire and re-route, we’re headed back to Farewell Bend.