Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Post Office Box 907
Baker City, Oregon 97814
Designated Reach: October 28, 1988. From its headwaters in the Elkhorn Mountains to the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest boundary.
Classification/Mileage: Scenic -- 6.0 miles; Total -- 6.0 miles.
The river originates near Cracker Saddle high on the Elkhorn Ridge of the Blue Mountains at nearly 8,000 feet. It is a glaciated valley characterized by craggy mountain tops reaching above timberline, cirque basins, subalpine lakes, and precipitous streams. Views of the river itself are few and far between due to the dense vegetation. Where openings allow viewing, visitors will see a clear, cold stream splashing over boulders and logs, occasionally settling into quiet pools with granite sand bottoms. The river's name is derived from the Chinook jargon words "polallie illahe." This translates as "sandy" or "powdery ground", which describes the soils along the stream. The drainage was utilized by the Umatilla, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock, and Northern Paiute Indians to gather, hunt, and fish.
More...
Free Download Now!
