During winter months as heaps of winter powder blanket the West, snow enthusiasts tune up their sleds and hit the open fields and finely groomed pathways near Hell's Canyon Scenic Byway in Oregon. Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area and its surrounding forests provide a near limitless playground of pristine conditions. In fact, much of the byway itself only allows snowmobiles, since sections remain unplowed throughout the wintertime. Cruise through untouched powder, open the throttle on trails within the extensive trail network, or spend some time in sno-parks and play areas.
Near the town of La Grande, you'll discover Lehman Hot Springs and an opportunity to unwind and sooth sore muscles in hot mineral springs after piloting your sled through cold winter conditions. The resort serves as an ideal hub for your adventures, providing cabins, parking, and trailheads. The nearby Winom-Frazier Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Complex provides miles of snowmobile trails. Southeast of La Grande, the popular Catherine Creek Summit area provides powdery snow and groomed trails that connect to Halfway, as well as open play areas on the western and southern reaches of the Wallowa Mountains.
Continue along the byway to the Joseph area and enjoy a network of 175 miles of designated trails, intensively groomed and signed by an active local club. The trails begin at the Salt Creek Summit Sno-Park about 19 miles southeast of Joseph along Forest Service Road 39. If the abundance of groomed trails and play areas aren't enough, plan your trip in mid to late January for Winterfest. Participate in a snow sculpture contest and winter dance. Enjoy piping hot chili during the chili cook off and dig in during the crab feed. Freestyle and snocross races round out the festival with some hardcore snowmobile competition.
Parking and play areas lie just south of the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area's border on the southern end of Hell's Canyon Scenic Byway. Test your skills and your sled's potential in the Sugarloaf Mountain area or the larger play area just off of Route 203. Finish your trip in Baker City, with around 1,000 miles of trails near the town and in the surrounding community. If you're still looking for more snow, play around in Sumpter in the high mountain country of the Elkhorn range for access to another 350 miles of marked trail, just west of Baker City and past the byway's end. Also near the byway you'll find Halfway, north of Enterprise in the southern end of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. From alpine meadows to soaring mountain peaks, Halfway offers hundreds of miles of groomed trails and an extensive backcountry.
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, looping around northeastern Oregon, gives snowmobilers huge expanses of open terrain in addition to an extensive network called one of the top fifteen trail systems in the west by SnoWest Magazine. With the West's dry, powdery snow, friendly locals, and stunning locales, you might find a reason to make it a yearly destination.
