I have been backpacking all over the western United States in many different mountain ranges, with many different people. But, I don’t know that I could choose another mountain range that I like more than backpacking the Seven Devils Mountains.
I love everything about backpacking- the simplicity, the exhilaration, the exhaustion the tests you can put yourself through and most of all the scenery! There is a part of backpacking that really can get tedious, after spending the first stretch of your hike checking out new scenery and enjoying the views, you get to your destination, remark at how much work you just put yourself through and then you have to turn around and go back the same way you came! That’s the great part about the backpacking the Seven Devils, there is an entire loop to follow- no backtracking! There are many other hikes just off the loop to get to the various lakes, peaks and valleys, one can easily spend 3-10 days staying very close to the loop and never having to go back the way you came. It’s a great feeling to know that each day, you’ll be seeing something new- new vegetation, new canyons and streams and even a new state! There is a section on the loop where you can peer over into Oregon!
A view from backpacking the Seven Devils.
The Seven Devils are comprised of many peaks, seven of which are the tallest and they are aptly named- with a devilish twist. Below are the peaks with their elevation and GPS coordinates.
| He Devil | 9,393 ft 2863 m |
 45.324135°N 116.548418°W |
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| She Devil | 9,380 ft 2859 m |
45.323996°N 116.540596°W |
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| Devils Throne | 9,281 ft 2829 m |
45.308791°N 116.554899°W |
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| Tower of Babel | 9,268 ft 2825 m |
45.330067°N 116.528399°W |
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| The Ogre | 9,255 ft 2821 m |
45.319545°N 116.532146°W |
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| Mount Baal | 9,160 ft 2792 m |
45.326203°N 116.533349°W |
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| The Twin Imps | 8,999 ft 2743 m |
45.2992°N 116.5649°W |
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| The Goblin | 8,980 ft 2737 m |
45.318332°N 116.525026°W |
The Devils are part of the Hells Canyon Wilderness, they are flanked by the Snake River (which forms the Idaho-Oregon border) on one side and the Salmon River on the other. For the most part the trails are well marked, and there are resources available to take with you on the trail, so that as you hike you can read about the history. There is a ton of wildlife in the Seven Devils Mountains, including elk, bighorn sheep, deer, mountain goats, black bear, cougar and rainbow and cut throat trout. The lakes and streams and waterfalls seem endless, around almost every bend you’ll find a clear running creek or a sign pointing the direction to the next lake. You don’t need to pack in a ton of water as it’s plentiful. We are very diligent and take purification tablets, but the water seems so clear that you could dunk your head in and drink until you’re full (not that I have ever done that- wink, wink!)
The alpine lakes are perfect for swimming after a long day on the trail and the creeks along the way offer a nice foot bath for tired soles. The amenities available in the Seven Devils make backpacking a dream and a trip that anyone can do with a well packed backpack and a good pair of hiking boots. If you’re not ready to venture out on your own, give America’s Rafting Company a call and we would be more than happy to talk to you about a guided trip through the Seven Devils Mountains!
Until next time…
