Joseph, Oregon

Thursday, October 8 - Today Mom and Dad drove from our Campground in Joseph, Oregon to the Hat Point Fire Lookout on the edge of Hells Canyon.   It was about 55 miles from here.  The first 30 was on paved road and then it turned to gravel.  

Looking back toward Joseph.  Smoke is worse today.

Did I mention that the road is basically one lane with
pullouts for meeting oncoming cars?

This pullout was larger and provided a good photo stop.

Hat Point Fire Lookout overlooking Hells Canyon.  The lookout is staffed
during fire season and normally you can climb to the top and see what is
happening.  Unfortunately, during Covid-19, the section above that mid-level
deck is closed to the public to protect the Forest Service workers from
exposure to the virus.  Mom and Dad climbed the stairs to the deck
that is a little more than 1/2 way up.  It's 93 stairs to get that far.

More smoke today.  You can barely see the Snake
River in the bottom of Hells Canyon.  It's just to the right of the
dead tree in the middle of the photo.

Speaking of dead trees, it's somewhat ironic that there was
a fire, caused by a lightning
strike, at the base of the Fire Lookout, a few years ago.

From here, you should be able to see the Seven Devils (mountains) in
Idaho, but today they are barely visible through the smoke.  The Seven
Devils are on the far side of Hells Canyon.  It's hard to say
where the smoke is coming from, but probably from the fires in California. 

The curves are a little scary, because you can't see what is coming
and not enough room to pass.  Fortunately, it's not a busy road.

Another view of the road ahead.

Did I mention that it was steep, as well as narrow?

Friday, October 9 - Today Mom and Dad left me and went for a hike in the Eagle Cap Wilderness.  It was a total of 6.2 miles with about 1000' of elevation gain.

The trail they chose mostly followed the Lostine River and was in
forest with understory trees and shrubs that are starting to show some
nice fall color.  The water in the river was incredibly clear.  The rocks
in the foreground are underwater.  The lighter gray on the left is a gravel
area that is above water.  Other than the change in color of the wet
gravel vs dry gravel, it was hard to tell them apart.

About 3 miles in, they came to this area where there had been an
avalanche.  It's been years since the avalanche, based on the trees
growing in the middle.  It made it possible to see mountain
peaks all around, except for the smoke.

Looking up from the trail, there were many small shrubs with nice
fall color, that have grown back, since the avalanche.

Another one of the nearby peaks.

Looking the opposite direction

More views of the Lostine River
on the way back to the Jeep

A waterfall on the Lostine River

We have one more night in Joseph, Oregon.  I'll tell you about that next time.

Love,

Doolin