Located on the border of Oregon and Idaho, Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon in North America. It is 2000' deeper than the Grand Canyon! Inside Hells Canyon is a 22 mile road called "The Devil's Tail", also known as Forest Service Rd #454, and Hells Canyon Dam Rd.Riders from all over the world come to Hells Canyon to ride this famous motorcycle road. To find the Devil's Tail, ride to Historic Baker City, Oregon then travel east on Hwy 86 along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway to Richland, Halfway, and finally to Oxbow, Oregon. The Devils Tail Road takes you from Oxbow, Oregon across the Snake river into Idaho, all the way to Hells Canyon Dam. It's got hundreds of curves, spectacular views, and can be very dangerous if you are not paying attention. If you crash your bike at Deals Gap you go into a ditch or ravine, probably survive with some motorcycle injuries.
If you crash here you go into the deepest canyon in North America. 2000' deeper than the Grand Canyon! Be careful. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident you may have to wait for the Life Flight helicopter from Boise Idaho. It takes them about 35 minuntes to get here by air, but there are only a few places to land the copter. Last year a rider from New York was seriously injured when he went over the cliff. The Adams County sheriff and Fire Dept. performed a brilliant rescue and got him to a landing site for the flight to St. Luke's Hospital in Boise.
Wear a good helmet like Nolan, Arai, or Shoei. I recommend Olympia Motorsports Jacket with armor, and good quality riding pant also with armor. You will see all kinds of motorcycles from all over the world. Harley-Davidson, Honda, Benelli, Kawasaki, Aprilia, Norton, Triumph, Moto Guzzi, Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW, Ducati, Ural, Victory just to name a few.
Good tires are also very important. Bridgestone, Dunlop, Metzeler, Pirelli, are all available locally in Baker City. Yamaha and Honda both have dealerships there. Birds of Prey Harley Davidson is located in Caldwell Idaho. Big Twin BMW is located in Boise.
