Hells Canyon

[JoelHazelton]

So I'm working on getting out to Hells Canyon Wilderness' namesake canyon at some point in the future... Most likely starting at the Spring Valley TH. I've done some pretty extensive internet research and the only search query that's yielded any relevant results is "Garfias Wash"... But nothing that tells me anything significant.

Does anybody have any info on lower Garfias Wash or Hells Canyon itself? I know the lowest part of the wash near where the Spring Valley trail intersects is flat and sandy and wide. I'm just curious if the wash gets any more difficult to pass with boulders, falls, etc, and if a day hike would get me out and back or if I should plan an overnighter. I know the distance and the elevation change is nothing to worry about (I've studied the maps), but I don't know about the speed of hiking in the wash.

I would start the hike in Cedar Basin, but because of my Nissan Sentra, I've got to settle with the longer approach. I actually may even park and start hiking before Castle Hot Springs Rd drops into Castle Creek, because the deep sand in the creekbed made me mighty nervous last time I hiked the Spring Valley Trail (which was also after a long drought).

I guess I'm going to assume nobody will know much about this area, since there isn't a whole lot about it on this site, but I would appreciate any info.

Thanks!

[Hoffmaster]

Look up Scorpionscus on this site and PM him. (tell him I sent you) He might (with a big emphasis on "might") know a thing or two about this area.