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Please click here for - Part One
The Imnaha River
It was a sad sight. We had just left the gas station in Prairie City and saw the familiar truck and camper pulled off the highway. The pilgrims did not look happy. All four doors of the big F-350 crew cab were wide open. The bearded dogs were tied to the back corner of the camper. Dismay covered Mr. Sage and his Bride’s faces. We pulled over. Fritz, the ninety pounder, had jettisoned his morning kibbles all over the, thankfully covered, backseat. Other targets were hit as well. The Lady and I dove into action to help. The cover was carefully removed and dumped of its new load. Julie made a few quick comments that lightened the mood considerably. Many times, with her career as a school teacher, she’s held long hair back as a student violently emptied face first into a toilet bowl and helped clean up after. You take it all in stride. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
We all laughed, again said goodbyes, and headed on our ways.
We topped off with gas in Halfway and followed the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road. We drove to the end of the road along the Imnaha River………
……..on the edge of the Eagle Cap Wilderness.
There is a small campground with only a handful of sites. Only two other campsites were occupied. We found a nice private camp along the river and made ourselves at home.
The river was high, fast, and colored with snowmelt.
After setup chores, we did a quick hike up the trail to get a feel for the area.
The river valley started out broad and wide. The scars and new growth after a large fire were very evident.
Many plants were in bloom, including the thimbleberries that lined the trail.
As we returned to camp in the late afternoon, we met four very fit young men hiking in with backpacks. We chatted. They would see how far they’d make it before dark. Until meeting these men, I had no idea you could get a backpack sternum strap carry holster for your semi auto. They had left an interesting note on their vehicle back at the trailhead.
We noticed in one of the other occupied campsites was an All Terrain Camper, the same brand we own and love. The next morning on our coffee walk, we stopped by to say hello. Greg and Helen are a great couple and meeting them was a treat. They go by the username “goinoregon” on the Wander the West forum. Our best to you two!
With our pleasant meeting with the goinoregon duo, along with stories and such, we got a later start on our planned long hike upriver. Chatting with them was well worth any delay.
The Imnaha River in the Eagle Cap Wilderness was incredible. We enjoyed the heck out of our time spent here. After the broad valley section, the river flows through a stunning gorge.
The shelf trail along the gorge was the Lady’s favorite section of river trail.
The roaring, tumbling, foaming torrent shook the ground and filled us with awe with its power.
The crest of the Wallowa Mountains came into view at a highpoint on a bend of the river.
The trail then dropped into Moody Basin.
I was excited to spot glacial striations in the rock along the trail.
Imnaha Falls is clearly labeled on our topo maps. We began to look for a use trail to the falls when we were close. We did not find one. The area had been burned over years ago with a resulting tangle of new growth - tightly packed 6 feet high lodgepoles. We worked our way in and found and followed a faint game trail, constantly moving the tight trees aside. It opened up at the bare rock along the falls. We had arrived. Unfortunately, we surprised a young couple sunbathing nude on the rock down by the water. I gave a quick wave I hoped said we didn’t mind, no problem, be yourselves, we are moving past. They were startled and embarrassed. We did not want that. The girl crossed her arms to cover her breasts. The young man hopped to his feet and grabbed for clothing. We quickly passed by and out of sight.
The Lady and I did kind of wish we had a young boy along who could have called over, “Ma’am, if you’re giving those puppies away, can I have the one with the pink nose?”
So, if any of you out there have a young grandson you’d like to give us for a short time, we could train him for you.
After a bit, the young couple packed up and left, heading upstream. I did not get an opportunity to inquire if they, by chance, were Sean and Brenna, and had they found the Speedo Boys? – from the note on the vehicle.
With the high water, Imnaha Falls were spectacular.
Our vantage point where we snacked and relaxed.
The broad valley upstream was majestic.
It’s around 6.5 miles up to the falls from camp. I believe we headed back at 1330 hrs. It was a warm day so the Lady did a quick riverside baptism and thoroughly soaked her mane for the hike down canyon.
I cannot say enough about how we enjoyed this great river canyon. Here’s a few shots of the hike downriver.
Sulfur Flowers and Wild Onions
We ventured off trail to get views into the gorge section.
A landmark called “Blue Hole” is the large pool where the river exits the gorge. It is a popular place for dayhikers in from the trailhead. The next day (Saturday) we were told the place was packed with people. It is also the place to ford the river to take the trail up to Twin Lakes. We took the spur trail down to the Imnaha.
No one was fording - or should attempt to ford - the river with the high water.
Blue Hole and downstream.
Here’s a shot of a woodpecker family bird we need help with
an identification. Note: thanks to Mr. Sage for the identification - Williamson's Sapsucker
The next morning – Saturday of the Fourth of July holiday weekend – we hiked the 3 miles up to Duck Lake. The trail doesn’t appear to be maintained and is little used.
Duck Lake, and the several ponds nearby, are shallow and will become meadows as time marches on.
We were back to camp before noon. We relaxed with a small lunch and then headed back up the Imnaha River to see if there was any chance of fishing with this fast, high water.
It was pretty much unfishable. Oh, how I want to return to this beautiful place when this exciting river is in a fishable condition.
Quiet life back at camp was gone when we returned. Bubba and his brother (or brother-in-law) were shoehorning a 36-foot-long trailer and another 26-foot-long trailer into small campsites. It took quite some time. It lacked entertainment value to watch. Along with them was another small camp trailer in a third campsite and another group tent camping. They were all together. Large noisy groups formed. The empty campsite next to the 36 footer was turned into a large sports area with toss games. Mind numbing “music” played. The campground was now a backyard. Bubba had brought the city to the woods. Thank the heavens, we were a distance away and were leaving in the morning.
Flashes of lightning woke us at 0200. The storm was over 5 miles away. Rain soon pattered against the roof. The smell of rain and storm filled the camper. The wind grew. We lay on our backs in bed and dreamily followed the approaching storm. A flash and thunder boom at 4 miles distance. Then 3, then 2. The thunder blast from the lightning strike a half mile away roared and echoed through the canyon. Rain intensified and pounded against the roof. We listened and watched as the storm moved past. A flash and then thunder. The thunder grew more distant and then was quiet, and we were left with only distant lightning flashes in the night. We dropped back into deep sleep.
Morning was our usual rituals - up early, walk with our coffee to start the day, return to the camper for breakfast. This morning the soothing scent of rain still hung in the air. We packed up quietly after chatting with the pleasant “young couple,” as the Lady called them (the fellow mentioned he was 48), who were camped with a roof top tent in the next campsite. Then we were off on down the road. We had an old fashion summer BBQ dinner to attend.
Our story continues. Please click here for - Part Three
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