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More than 900 miles of trail are open to hikers and horses in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area with horse trailheads in Freezeout, Cow Creek, Dug Bar, Hat Point, Indian Crossing and Warnock Corrals all out the Imnaha way. Additionally, more than 30 trails head up into the Eagle Cap Wilderness 11 beginning in Wallowa County.

Many of the trails in the area are extremely challenging, so be sure to read the synopsis of each trail and purchase a good map before you go. Although families can easily find lovely day hikes, remember that for more vigorous hikes you are choosing a wilderness experience with all of the risks inherent including no cell service to call in the cavalry if you are injured.

Both easy and challenging hikes offer all of the visual drama one would expect in a wilderness area, from cliff-sides to timber country. Wildlife one may see includes mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, bear and rattlesnakes (in the Imnaha valley). Wildflowers draw botanists, and the recent discovery of an ancient limber pine more than 2,000 years old on Cusick Mountain thrills the vigorous hiker.

Hikers may also find old homesteads, abandoned fields, old mining sites, Indian pictographs and petroglyphs (in Hells Canyon) and more.