After hearing reports that the road to Hat Point had been newly graded, Rusty and I were on the road about 8:30am...The road, east out of Joseph, is winding and drops fast in elevation to the Imnaha Canyon, where there is a grade school, post office and the Imnaha tavern...
At 9am we passed through Imnaha and started uphill on a steep grade, lots of corners and incredible views, looking back to the Wallowa Mountains...Looking the other way, the devastation from last summers "Double Creek" fire is indescribable...Thousands of acres were burned...In some places, as far as the eye can see, the forest is nothing but blackened trees, void of all vegetation...Driving through all of this makes ones heart break, for what used to be.
Continuing on to Hat Point lookout tower, Rusty and I walked the path and climbed up the tower to look down at the Snake River, far below...Still incredible views from there but the scars of the fire are seen everywhere and will be forever!
We stopped for lunch at "The Tavern" arriving back home mid afternoon...Going to Hat Point was always a happy time for me, now I will still go, but it will never be the same, driving through a forest that is no longer lush and vibrant to reach the views from the very top...Hugs To All...OWAV:)
I tried to take photos that still show the beauty, not total devastation.
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