North Fork of the North Powder River

Oregon

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.

Unlike much of the rest of the Elkhorns, this drainage did not receive the lasting attention of early prospectors and miners. The river corridor does have, however, a number of pre-1930's mining sites. The primitive road now found paralleling the stream is a portion of a route to early-day mining camps. This road was orginally constructed in 1864 by the Dealy Wagon Road Company as one of the earliest routes across the Elkhorns to Bourne and Sumpter. As this was a difficult route, it was not heavily used and easier alternate routes were constructed elsewhere. Historic references can be found to its early use, including references by Native American travelers.

Recreation use involves hunting, fishing, camping, motorbikes, fourwheel drives or ATV's, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and horsepacking. The river is too small, however, for boating. The steepness of the canyon precludes much winter recreation, but some snowmobiling and cross country skiing does occur.