The Hellhole (Western Oregon’s Crack-in-the-Ground)
June 19, 2005
Eight of us left Eugene—and its threatening cloud cover—at 9 a.m. By Lookout Point Reservoir we were in sunshine. The hike to the north rim is easy enough, only about ¼ mile on a faint unmaintained trail which can be followed fairly easily. From there the trail fades away and the going gets much harder. We climbed, slid, scrambled, and tripped our way around the east end and down into the chasm. Lunch was at the viewpoint rock. On the way back we decided that the Hellhole is so named because you have to go through hell to see it. By mileage and elevation this is an “A” hike, but because much of it is off trail, it feels more like a long “B” hike. Participants in this adventure were soon-to-be-member Elizabeth Chandler and members Brian Hoyland, Marshall Kandell, John Jacobsen, Stewart Hoeg, Walt Dolliver, Rob Castleberry, and leader Bob Huntley.
Looking into The Hellhole from above. We were not able to see the bottom.
Heading down at the east end of the Hell Hole. From top: Rob, Marshall,
Elizabeth (barely visible) and Walt.
The eastern approach. Marshall and Bob.
Some kind soul had left a rope to ease getting over a bump in the bottom.
Bob on the rope, Elizabeth waiting her turn.
Into the deep. Log spanning the chasm.
Side gully to the main crack.
The lunch spot at view point rock. The bottom is visible from here.
From left: Rob (in blue), Walt, Elizabeth and Stewart.
Looking out the west end of the Crack from the bottom.