Kirkwood Campground in Hells Canyon, Idaho

After four days of preparation and planning, we were excitedly on our way to Hells Canyon.  The Mountain West Outdoor club had scheduled a back-packing trip to Kirkwood Campground on the Snake River on May 1-3, 2014.  Vilate was the leader with 9 others ready to kick off the winter blues and enjoy the warm, sunny weather predicted for the week-end.  We drove to Riggins, Idaho, had lunch and then proceeded on Hwy 95 past Lucile where we turned West onto the road to Pittsburg Landing.  After about an hour on a windy, gravel road, we turned south onto the road to Upper Landing.  We parked and started our Historic Hike.  For future reference, there are 3 parking areas and we should have gone to the last one and saved ourselves 1/2 mile of hiking.  It didn't matter so much at the beginning of the hike, but when we arrived back at the parking lot, we wished we didn't have to hike that last 1/2 mile uphill.

It was 1:45 p.m. Oregon time and 80 degrees when we started our hike.  We started with Vilate, Fred, Dorene, Judy, Kaye, June, Elnora, Mary, Elvina and myself, Jeanne.  About one mile along the trail, Vilate, recovering from a 2 year eye disease, could not make it any further.  So, Fred and Dorene went back to Boise with her.

By the time we started hiking again, we had waited on the side of the mountain in the hot sun for about an hour.  We hurried on, realizing it would be close to dark by the time we reached the campsite.  Like Vilate, I had not carried a pack in two years and was out of shape for hiking uphill in the hot sun with a 22# pack on my back.  There were times I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest, but with the kind encouragement and help of my companions I continued on.  Cold, wet scarfs were placed around my neck and on my head and at a stream, I completed drenched myself in cold water.  My body temperature began to come down.  At another time, when I felt I could go no further, Mary came back and carried my pack for a short distance.  I loved their philosophy, "No one left behind."  (Like the Marines).

After six miles of pretty hard hiking, we arrived at the campsite.  Kirkwood is an amazing back-packing campground.  It has a flush toilet, picnic tables and the hostess will kindly let you get water from their kitchen.  We didn't have to pump water from the river through our water filters.

We quickly put up our tents while there was some daylight left and ate supper.  We were all very tired as we shared the space on the picnic table in preparing our individual meals.  Needless to say, we were in bed before we saw the stars.

After a very uncomfortable night, I realized I need a better back-packing pad.  Mine was purchased at least 40 years ago when we first started back-packing.  But, when the sun arose bright and cheery, I was ready for the next adventure to Suicide Point.  It is 3 mile hike on up the Snake River Trail to a point which overlooks a horseshoe bend in the river.  The view is spectacular and well worth the climb.  We ate lunch and headed back down as a group of young people from a Church Camp arrived.

The story behind the name, Suicide Point;  an Indian maiden and an Indian warrior from two different warring tribes fell in love.  They realized they would never be allowed to marry, so they jumped to their deaths from Suicide Point.  Truth or Legend?  No body knows.

Back in camp we rested a short while and then hiked up to an old homestead of a moon-shiner who lived in the Canyon during the depression.  In its day, the home was called the Mansion because it was so large and elaborate for its time.  Guess there is money to be had in moon-shinning.  :-)
There is so much history in the canyon and the hostess is so willing to share all she knows. There is also a museum at the campground with many pictures and history about the area.

On our return to camp we realized just how hungry we were.  We ate supper and still had some daylight before bedtime.  Most just visited, but I went to bed about 9:00 p.m.  I didn't think I slept, but my companions assured me I did. (snoring is a dead give away).  About midnight, local campers came walking by, talking very loudly.  I was awakened and for the rest of the night, I wished for a better pad.

In order for June, the driver, to be back in Boise by 6:00 p.m. we were up and packing by 6:00 a.m.  We also welcomed hiking in the cool of the morning.  I was on the trail by 7:30 a.m. and got a head start on the others.  It didn't take them very long to catch up, but I thoroughly enjoyed stopping from time to time to just look at the view.  It was spectacular.  I wish I had taken more pictures.

We did make it home in time for June to go to work and enjoyed every minute of our Grand Adventure to Hells Canyon.