Hell’s Canyon Run

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2001

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If you have never done this run, you are missing out on the most spectacular, exhilarating event of your life!  This year marks the twelfth year of the run with the most participants in its history of 37 brave souls.  The weather was perfect for running with temps in the 50’s, clear skies, and a slight tailwind.  I only have these pictures to offer you as a sneak peek of what to expect when you run it too!! 

 

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101.JPG – Here’s a picture of the thirty or so people embarking at Johnson Landing for the short version of the run, sixteen miles.  Note the smiles on their faces.  About 8 people stayed on board and did the full thirty-mile version from the Hells Canyon Dam.

 

103.JPG – This is what you first see as the trail starts out and seems to disappear amid the twisted basalt formations.  This is the closest you’ll be to the water until your final destination at Pittsburgh Landing. 

 

104.JPG – Here’s looking back south toward Sheep Creek after the first ten minutes of running.  Notice the sizable gap between myself and the rest of the pack.  This is the only time I would hold the lead!

 

105.JPG – And here they come.  Only a quarter mile later and the pack would leave me behind.  Look at the determination in this guy’s eyes.

 

106.JPG – The sun is beginning to rise in the canyon.

 

107.JPG – This was just the right setting for a really good picture.  Some people say it’s the best in the collection.  The geese were the only wildlife I saw.

 

108.JPG – This is my favorite picture.  I use it for my desktop image.  See the trail cut into the rock?

 

110.JPG – Here’s a picture of Alan Douglas.  He is the creator and sole organizer of this nonprofit event.  Alan’s pace through the canyon has been compromised by injuries he received in a car accident a few years ago.  The accident left him with leg injuries and a diminished lung capacity.  He now says he feels very fortunate to be able to run the event and looks forward to it every year.  My hat is off to you Alan, and thanks for putting together such a great run!!

 

112.JPG – Finally, an open meadow to run through and then look where the trail goes, not to the left along the river, but to the right, over that bluff!!

 

113.JPG – This is really a steep climb up to the saddle.  This picture doesn’t do justice to the rich colors found here.  The immensity of the bluff is deceiving in this picture, too.  James Updegrove is about half way up the trail.  Can you see him?

 

115.JPG – There is some development in the canyon.  Here is an airstrip with a little Piper on the runway.  The long building on the Oregon side of the river is well hidden from view.

 

116.JPG – I really love running on these flat grassy fields.  They are a nice calm before the storm.  Notice the trail etched in to the cliff.  The rock outcrop on the far left is appropriately called Suicide Point.

 

118.JPG – Here’s a jet boat stopped along the shore to fish.

 

119.JPG – Looking south is this wonderful serpentine history of the river.

 

120.JPG – Here’s a picture of somebody at the precipice of Suicide Point contemplating life, with his encouraging friend behind him hollering “JUMP!”  Actually, I was lucky to spot these hikers and snap this picture as they stop to take a look over the edge.

 

124.jpg – Snow capped Summit Ridge.

 

125.JPG – Here’s the trail fork after the Kirkwood Creek Ranch with snow covered Bald Knob and Grassy Knoll.  See the little black speck just outside of the shadow line?  That’s Alan’s SPAM t-shirt.  I didn’t know if I was on the right trail until I saw him make this turn.  Whew!  Six more miles to go. 

 

126.JPG – Wild flowers are already in bloom.

 

127.JPG – OH BOY!  See the ridge in the far background?  That’s the one that flanks the south side of Pittsburgh.  About 4 miles left.

 

128.JPG – Looking back from whence I came.

 

129.JPG – Pittsburgh ~ around 1 mile

 

130.JPG – Last view south.  This is what you see just upstream from Pittsburgh.  After taking this picture, I finished my venture in a lightening fast 4 hours 2 minutes!  First thing I did was walk down to the water and dive right in!!!  Numbingly COLD!!  Next year, I’ll be better prepared and carry less junk.  Who knows, with a little confidence, maybe I’ll do the 30!  See you then!

 

 

 

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