Hells Canyon & Eagle Cap Wilderness:
Paddles and Saddles

Whitewater Rafting and Horseback Riding Trip

Looking for a spectacular way to explore the exquisite scenery of northeast Oregon? Join Winding Waters and Del Sol Wilderness Adventures on this all-inclusive 7 day adventure into 2 of North America's most beautiful and remote regions. Explore Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in North America, by raft and the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area, home to the highest peaks in Oregon, by horseback. A true adventurer's trip, suitable for all ability-levels.

Quick Trip Details

Where: Snake River in Hells Canyon and Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowa Mountains
How Long: 4 days 3 nights on river, 3 days 2 nights in Mountains, 2 nights in B&B Joseph, OR
Launch Dates: July 26 & 31, August 11 & 16, and September 1 (whether you raft or ride first is dependent on outfitter scheduling)
Who: Great for anyone (ages 7 and up) with the spirit of adventure. No previous experience needed.
Cost: $2,150 Adult/ $1,720 Youth.

Trip Includes

* 2 night's lodging at the Chandler's Inn Bed & Breakfast in Joseph, OR: before your river launch and before horseback riding
*Round-trip transportation to and from the river, including a scenic flight out of Hells Canyon
*All river equipment, food, and outstanding guide service
*All meals from departure to return to Joseph

Trip Itinerary

Day 0 - Arrival Day: Arrive at the Chandler's Inn Bed and Breakfast in Joseph, OR (lodging is included in your trip cost). Pre-Trip Meeting with Winding Waters' guide at Chandlers at 6pm. Make final preparations for the next day's whitewater rafting journey.

Day 1 - Launch Day: Breakfast served at Chandlers by 6:45am and departure at 7:30am. Travel in the Winding Waters' van to Hells Canyon Dam through the beautiful Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Stop at Scotty’'s Market near the Dam and purchase an Oregon fishing license if needed. Meet your guide crew at the Dam. Launch by 11am following a brief risk management discussion. Lunch will be served riverside. Encounter rapids such as Wild Sheep and Granite on this first day with time to relax, fish, explore archeological sites and take in the breathtaking views. Plan to be in camp by 4:00pm today. Expect an evening beginning with a delicious meal, followed by good conversation, campfire, games and music. Feel free to bring a musical instrument.

Day 2 - River Day: The morning routine: hot drinks and fruit juice served by about 7am and breakfast by 8am. The guide crew will break camp and after a brief discussion of the day's plan, begin the day’'s float by 10am. Today's rapids include Bernard, Water Spout, and Rush Creek. Visit ancient pictograph sites, not so ancient homestead cabins, and jump from Sturgeon Rock. Lunch will again be served riverside today with camp arrival around 4pm. Expect another wonderful evening beginning with a delicious meal followed up with good conversation, campfire, games and music.

Day 3 - River Day: Morning routine. Today will be spent hiking to the overlook at Suicide Point, floating, scanning the slopes for wildlife, spotting the birds responsible for those beautiful songs, exploring historic Kirkwood Ranch, laughing and playing in the river. Lunch will again be served riverside with camp arrival being around 4pm. There is always time in camp to take a swim, go on a short hike, read a book, catch a fish, play Bocce Ball, or simply lay in a hammock. Expect another wonderful evening beginning with a delicious meal followed up with good conversation, campfire, games and music.

Day 4 - River/Take Out Day: Morning routine. Today pass Pittsburg Landing, the take out for our 3 day trips. Enter the lower canyon, where the canyon walls appear to crowd in, rising as far as the eye can see. The landscape changes every minute as our perspective changes. Big Horn Sheep, Bald and Golden Eagles are often spotted in these tight canyons. Lunch will be served riverside at historic Dug Bar, our take-out point for the trip. Learn why the Nez Perce chose this location to cross the Snake River when fleeing the Wallowa Mountain region while soaking up the last bit of river tranquility before your departure. Scenic flights to the Joseph area with the region's best bush pilot depart between 1 and 2pm if conditions are favorable. Otherwise, enjoy a scenic jet boat ride to Asotin, ID where the Winding Waters van will meet and deliver you back to Joseph generally by 5pm. Back at Chandler's B & B, take a shower, explore the quaint town of Joseph, and have a meal in town before departing on your Eagle Cap Wilderness horseback riding adventure in the morning.

Day 5 - Horseback Riding: Breakfast at Chandlers B&B. Meet Del Sol Wilderness Adventures' guides in the morning following breakfast. Travel to the beautiful Two-Pan Trailhead up the Lostine canyon to begin your 7-mile horseback ride to the breathtaking Lakes Basin. Lunch will be served upon arrival in the deluxe wilderness horse camp. Once in camp, you will become well acquainted with Bob "The Cook". You will love his dutch oven mastery.

Day 6 - Horseback Riding/Hiking: Morning Routine. Today affords some flexibility. Choose to ride the horses up to Mirror Lake and begin a hike up to the summit of Eagle Cap Mountain, go fishing, relax by the calm waters of one of the many beautiful glacially-carved lakes of the Lakes Basin or some combination of all of these things.

Day 7 - Horseback Riding/Return to Joseph: Morning Routine. Take time for a morning ride or hike before departing camp by 11am. Ride to trailhead. Arrival at Chandlers B&B by 3 or 4pm. We recommend spending at least one extra day in Joseph as there are many beautiful sites to see and adventures you can enjoy from town. If you do plan on spending an extra day, make arrangements with Chandlers B & B.

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