The Snake River. by jayfar
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Description
The River rises in Wyoming, flows through Idaho and then through Oregon to the sea.
This was taken in Wyoming.
Snake River from Wikipedia.
Hells Canyon of the Snake River
The Snake River likely got its name from the first white explorers who misinterpreted the sign made by the Shoshone people—who identified themselves in sign language by moving the hand in a swimming motion—which appeared to these explorers to be a "snake;" it actually signified that they lived near the river with many fish. In the 1950's the name "Hells Canyon" was borrowed from Hells Canyon Creek, which enters the river near what is now Hells Canyon Dam. In the old days, Hells Canyon was known as Snake River Canyon or Box Canyon, though a few locals called it the "Grand Canyon of the Snake."
The Hells Canyon area was once home to Shoshone and Nez Perce Tribes. According to the Nez Perce tribe, Coyote dug the Snake River Canyon in a day to protect the people on the west side of the river from the Seven Devils, a band of evil spirits living in the mountain range to the east. In the late nineteenth century, the military drove the Native Americans out and settlers began ranching and mining in the canyon. Today, boaters can explore archaeological sites and old homesteads, all part of the canyon's rich, colorful history.
Hells Canyon is one of the most imposing river gorges in the West. Until a million years ago, the Owyhee Mountains acted as a dam between the Snake River and its current confluence with the Columbia River, creating a vast lake in what is now southwestern Idaho. When the mountains were finally breached, the Snake roared northward, cutting a giant chasm through the volcanic rock. The resulting canyon, roughly ten miles across, is not as dramatic as the Grand Canyon. However, when the surrounding peaks are visible from the river, the sense of depth is tremendous. The adjacent ridges average 5,500' above the river. He Devil Mountain, tallest of the Seven Devils (9,393') towers almost 8,000' above the river, creating the deepest gorge in the United States.
The river is as big as the landscape. Below Hells Canyon Dam, the Snake usually carries more water than the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Below the confluence with the Salmon River, flows average 35,000 cfs and often peak over 100,000 when the Salmon is high. Further downstream, the Clearwater and other rivers dump their flows into the Snake River, creating the Columbia River's largest tributary. (The total drainage area is approximately the size of Oregon.)
Comments (21)
dochtersions
Well, Jeff this is interesting information, and I guess everything in the States is larger and bigger then in Europe, huh? Amazing, and what an interesting good shot too!
pat40
So Wonderful Jeff
awjay
a very big country
kgb224
Amazing capture my friend. God bless.
helanker
A really fantastic shot. The snow looks amazing against the trees, the rocks and the beown grasses.
moochagoo
Wow, wonderful view. I've been there one. People are a little bit "wild".
Cyve
I love this place and this landscape is really beautiful !!!
durleybeachbum
Gosh it looks cold!
flavia49
wonderful landscape
CavalierLady
Awww, that looks kind like "home" from my neck of the woods back when I was a kid. Beautiful photo and landscape, Jeff.
MrsRatbag
Ooh, I love this kind of landscape, with the snow lurking about. Maybe I need to move to Wyoming!
Richardphotos Online Now!
I was in awe of this region when I passed in the mid 60's. my recent trip last June, I followed part of my journey back in the 60's. very beautiful Jeff
auntietk
It's beautiful, this close to the source, isn't it? We saw it near the Grand Tetons, and of course in Idaho. It flows into the Columbia River in Washington State, and the Columbia becomes the border between Washington and Oregon, so I guess water from the Snake could be said to flow through Oregon. It's gorgeous from top to bottom. Hell's Canyon is quite different from this lovely stream!!
RodS
What a wonderful scene - great photo! Looks cold but still beautiful. We got into Wyoming far enough to see Devil's Tower a few weeks ago, but would love to spend more time there. I'm dying to get back to Yellowstone.
wysiwig
Looks like pretty wild country. I like the cloud shrouded mountains. Great information.
bugsnouveau
Wonderful view
MagikUnicorn
Around the YELLOWSTONE :)
Star4mation
Nice one Jeff :)
Hendesse
Excellent shot of this impressive landscape Jeff.
blinkings
Interesting info and nice photo mate.
Katraz
This looks a great place , great shot even better full size.