Deepest Gorge in North AmericaCarved by the great Snake River, Hells Canyon plunges more than a mile below Oregon's west rim, and 8,000 feet below snowcapped He Devil Peak of Idaho's Seven Devils Mountains.
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A geological fact that surprises many is that Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America. It's even deeper than the Grand Canyon! The Grand Canyon is about 6,000 feet deep while the eastern rim of Hells Canyon is about 8,000 feet deep.
The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway stretches for 22 miles and it gives you a stunning view of the canyon's rugged landscape. The feeling you'll get as you drive along the canyon's jagged walls is simply indescribable. Check out Idaho's most dramatic scenic drive and add this to your bucket list ASAP.
Of course, it's massively deep, too. From the top of the Seven Devils Mountains to the deepest part of the Snake River, Hells Canyon is nearly 8,000 feet deep. That's almost 2,000 feet deeper than the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona.
The entire route is on a paved highway. Plan ahead – you'll find stretches of more than eighty miles without gas and with few services. A segment of the Byway between Joseph and Halfway closes with snow in winter, but allows access to winter recreation areas, offering a whole other kind of Northeast Oregon adventure.
The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in Tibet, a region of southwestern China, was formed over millions of years by the Yarlung Zangbo River. This canyon is the deepest in the world—at some points extending more than 5,300 meters (17,490 feet) from top to bottom.
The canyon has a total length of 125 miles (201 km), along 40 miles (64 km) of which it is more than 1 mile (1.6 km) deep. It reaches a maximum depth of 7,900 feet (2,400 metres), making it the deepest gorge on the North American continent.
On average, the Snake River is 16 feet and 4 inches deep.Only three roads point to the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam and the Oregon-Washington border; there are no highways that span the 10-mile-wide Hells Canyon.
Hells Canyon Wilderness receives approximately 8 inches of rainfall each year and average annual temperatures range from 35 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 100 degrees in summer. Most of this land is covered by Sonoran Desert vegetation: saguaro, paloverde, barrel cactus, ocotillo, and desert grasses.
Most of the rapids Hells Canyon are classified as a Class III and Class IV, which means you're in for a wild ride and you're definitely getting wet. The two most intense rapids are at the beginning of the trip. Both are Class IVs.
HELLS CANYON WEATHER:Usually about 10° warmer than surrounding towns, Hells Canyon is known to be hot throughout the summer which is ideal for whitewater rafting trips. The Snake River's temperature usually stays between 60°-70°, perfect for refreshing swims.