The lower elevations are dry, barren, steep slopes that break at the canyon's rim. Idaho-side trailheads stand at Black Lake, Windy Saddle and Pittsburg Landing. From Pittsburg Landing, the Snake River National Scenic Trail follows 31 miles of the river on the Idaho side. On the Oregon side, the higher elevations are thinly treed with occasional dense stands of Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine. The lower elevations are dominated by grasslands.
Clear creeks dissect the isolated Oregon side.
A trail from Dug Bar follows the Oregon side of the Snake River and gives access to several other trails. Over 1,500 prehistoric sites have been identified here, and federal law requires they be left alone. I was deceived looking over the edge of Hells Canyon. It just does not seem that deep. But the wind blew wild clean air that carried birds of prey overhead, the sound of the river swept up the slope and I will be ever glad I stopped for at least one day.