• Hells Canyon Adventures operates on Pacific Time

TUES, Aug 13: Kirkwood Jet Boat Adventure, 10:00-3:00; Granite Creek Adventure 10:00-12:00

WED, Aug 15:  Kirkwood Jet Boat Adventure 10:00-3:00

THURS, Aug 16: Kirkwood Jet Boat Adventure 10:00-3:00; Granite Creek Adventure 10:00-12:00
Granite Creek Adventure 2:00-4:00

FRI, Aug 17: Call for schedule

SAT, Aug 18:  Call for schedule

SUN, Aug 19:  Call for schedule

MON, Aug 20:  Call for schedule

FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 800-422-3568 or 208-257-4564

Information provided by Hells Canyon Adventures

Oxbow, Oregon__Hells Canyon Adventures has launched their 2018 season and is offering rafting and jet boat tours on the Snake River in Hells Canyon. HCA is the only company that provides a variety of jet boat tours, raft adventures, fishing charters, and shuttle services into the heart of Hells Canyon – South Entrance / Wild River Section, in Oxbow, Oregon.

The Wild River Section is where you find the largest rapids, where the canyon is at its deepest elevations, and the scenery transitions from rock walls at the bottom, to high dessert grasslands in the middle, to alpine forests at the top.

One of three ways to access Hells Canyon – (1) South Entrance, Hells Canyon Dam (2) Pittsburgh Landing (3) Lewiston/Clarkston – the south entrance offers so much more than just access into Hells Canyon:

• Travel along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
• Tent and full service RV camping is available beside the Hells Canyon Snake River Reservoirs. Wood Head Park, McCormick Park, Copperfield Park, and Hells Canyon Park are well maintained, not crowded, and have great day use areas, fantastic for picnics.
• HCA has operated in the Wild River Section for 45 years. The company has shown the other operators that it is possible to safely operate in the Wild River Section.

Call 800-422-3568 or 208-257-4564 for assistance with your travel plans. See the weekly schedule updates at www.hellscanyonadventures.com.

Easy access from Oregon or Idaho to the South Entrance of Hells Canyon: (1) Highway 71 from Cambridge, Idaho (2) Highway 86 from Baker City, Oregon (3) USFS Road #39 from Wallowa Lake/Joseph, Oregon. All roads lead to the famed “Devils Tail,” the last 22 miles from Oxbow to the Hells Canyon Dam. Drive slowly and enjoy the scenery — drive too fast and join the scenery. All roads are paved.

The South Entrance of Hells Canyon is a remote location. We want you to enjoy all that a remote location has to offer so come prepared. Have a full tank of gas, have a cooler full of snacks and drinks, and be prepared to turn off your phone because the cell phone service is spotty.

#    #    #

Biz Buzz By Kathleen Ellyn, Wallowa County Chieftain

Updates on our local businesses are in order this week, with changes of business model, announcements of secured contracts and an exciting new business.

First up is our change of business model. Some of you may have heard that the Minam Motel is no longer acting as a motel. It’s true. Owners Grant and Lottie Richie are reconfiguring their business and plan to expand their store and use some of the motel space to house their river guides.

The business is doing well with their Wine and Food trips, guided fly-fishing trips, chukar hunts, rafting trips and raft rentals and the Richies want to focus in that area.

Those “Wine and Food on the River” rafting trips on the Grande Ronde or Snake rivers have received high praise in the press. Richie works with Walla Walla-based Chef Andrae Bopp and serves Walla Walla wines provided by Heirlinger Winery, Bergevin Lane Vineyards, Kontos Cellars, Skylite Cellars and Solemn Cellars among others. Expect to pay $995 for a three-day excursion and $1,595 for a five day trip.

Other rafting trips include Grande Ronde River guided trips, white water guided Snake River Rafting through Hells Canyon and lower Salmon River guided trips.

Sad news for some of you, the Morel Trip in late May is already fully booked. Better luck next year.

Off-season trips include the “Cast and Blast” (fishing and chukar) trips in late fall.

The contract to continue operating the Wallowa Lake Marina went to (no surprise) Casey Barstad. Casey was the sole applicant, but his experience working with former contract holders, his parents, Gina and Bob Barstad, would have impressed in thick competition.

“He’s had a lot of experience and his bid and proposal was very, very detailed,” said Shawnae Stanton, park specialist for Wallowa Lake State Park. “He’s also been working with us in terms of what we’d like to see in the park in the future. We want to expand the dining area out front so that visitors can enjoy the lake view more.”

Casey’s folks have held that contract for 30 years.

“Casey grew up with the business. He’s been around it since he was six years old,” said Bob Barstad.

And finally, get ready for the newest tourism idea in Joseph — the Joseph Trolley, touted as providing “The World’s Longest Trolley Tour.”

The trolley rolls out on its Grand Opening Tour, May 31. That tour is a live, narrated, three-hour drive to Joseph Creek Canyon for a total of 101 miles round trip with camera stops along the way and half hour at the scenic overlook.

Another, even longer four and one half hour tour to Buckhorn Springs Canyon is planned for the future. You’re advised that 63 miles of the Buckhorn Springs tour is on gravel and will be bumpy. Might want to take an extra cushion for that one. The trolley is wheelchair accessible for up to two wheelchair guests.

Prices are very reasonable: $30 adult on the Joseph Creek Canyon Tour with a senior discount of $5 available; lap riders 0-2 free; guests ages 3-11 $15. There are group rates and opportunities to book the whole trolley for your special event. You’ll want to check out all of the offerings on the Jo Trolley web page.  

P.S. some other big news was brewing at press time but not finalized. Stay tuned.

#   #   #

Hells Canyon Adventures offers jet boat rides, rafting, and fishing adventures at the south entrance of Hells Canyon, on the Snake River. It is an amazing time to experience canyon thrills, wildlife and awe-inspiring views of the rugged canyon walls and towering mountains above. This week’s schedule is below. All tours operate on Pacific Time.

MONDAY, June 6, 2016• Morning Wild Sheep Adventure with Lunch – 10:00-Noon *
• Afternoon Wild Sheep Adventure – 2:00-4:00 PM *

TUESDAY, June 7, 2016
• Morning Wild Sheep Adventure with Lunch – 10:00-Noon
• Afternoon Wild Sheep Adventure – 2:00-4:00 PM *

WEDNESDAY, June 8, 2016
• Morning Wild Sheep Adventure with Lunch – 10:00-Noon *
• Afternoon Wild Sheep Adventure – 2:00-4:00 PM *

THURSDAY, June 9, 2016
• Granite Creek Adventure with Lunch – 10:00-Noon
• Kirkwood Adventure – 10:00-3:30/4:00 PM

FRIDAY, June 10, 2016
ALL TRIPS FULL

SATURDAY, June 11, 2016
• One Day White Water Rafting – 9:00-4:00 PM
• Kirkwood Adventure – 10:00-3:30/4:00 PM

SUNDAY, June 12, 2016
• Kirkwood Adventure – 10:00-3:30/4:00 PM
• Morning Granite Creek Adventure – 10:00-Noon
• Afternoon Granite Creek Adventure – 2:00-4:00 PM

Call 800-422-3568 or 541-785-3352 for reservations.

* Minimum passenger requirements not yet met *