This drive takes you to Heavens Gate Lookout. To get there, drive one-half mile south of Riggins on Hwy 95 to the Seven Devils Road and turn right (west). A 19-mile drive takes you to the lookout, campground facilities and the Hells Canyon Wilderness. From there, see breathtaking views of the Seven Devils Mountains, Hells Canyon, and four states—Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Montana.
The Seven Devils Mountains sit on the east side of Hells Canyon Wilderness, which covers 218,000 acres of rugged terrain between Idaho and Oregon. The landscape varies between verdant meadows, craggy peaks and talus fields, but solitude is the one constant you’ll find here. The Windy Saddle Trailhead provides access to alpine lakes and many of the summits via the Seven Devils Trail #124 and the South Boise Trail #101A, which link to form the Seven Devils Loop.
Day Hike to Lower Cannon Lake
If you’ve never explored the Seven Devils Mountains, Lower Cannon Lake is the perfect introduction to the region. The out-and-back trek is eight miles roundtrip with 1,550 feet of elevation gain, and it starts from the Windy Saddle Trailhead. Early to mid-July is generally the peak season for wildflowers, so if you time it right, you may spend more time marveling at blooms along the trail than you will exploring the alpine lake.
The Windy Saddle Trailhead sits at approximately 7,600 feet, and the South Boise Trail #101A steadily drops to 6,650 feet over the first mile and a half. The next mile and a half of the trail is mostly flat, and just after the three-mile mark, you’ll see the “Cannon Lake” sign, pictured above. After turning on Cannon Lakes Trail #126, you’ll gain 500 feet of elevation in just under a mile. As you may imagine, the most challenging stretch of trail is the return to the parking lot, so be sure to bring plenty of water, pace yourself and take breaks when it’s hot. Water sources can be found at Bridge Creek (one mile from Windy Saddle) and Cannon Creek (a quarter-mile from Lower Cannon Lake).
Day Hike to Basin Lake
For those seeking a more ambitious day hike with constant up and down, Basin Lake offers both a workout and dramatic mountain scenery. The 11-mile route has approximately 3,200 total feet of elevation gain, and it also begins at the Windy Saddle Trailhead. Due to several major wildfires over the last two decades, the area contains a significant amount of dead trees, so shade is sparse in many sections. However, the views of the Seven Devils are jaw-dropping, and the abundance of wildflowers in the summer makes this an especially picturesque trek.
From the Windy Saddle Trailhead, follow the signs for Sheep Lake on the Seven Devils Trail #124. The trail descends 400 feet over the first half-mile, and after gaining 800 feet over the next mile and a half, the trail drops 1,300 feet between the second and third miles. Stay left on Seven Devils Trail #124 at the junction around the four-and-a-half-mile mark, and at the next junction, just before the five-mile mark, turn left on Sheep Lake Trail #123. This mile-long section has about 600 feet of gain, and the final half-mile to Basin Lake is mostly flat. There are several creek crossings that require careful foot placement on slippery logs, and the terrain is a mix of packed dirt, rock and mud, depending on how early in the season you visit. The best water source can be found around the three-mile mark at the West Fork of Sheep Creek, which offers a cascading waterfall next to the trail.
For more information on trail conditions and closures in the Seven Devils Mountains, please contact the US Forest Service Office in Riggins at 208-628-3916, or check the US Forest Service website for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.
Locations: Salmon River and Riggins
Category: 21, 24, 26, 21, 24, and 26
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