FunToSail: Seven Devils Lake, Idaho County, Idaho

Seven Devils Lake and Tower of Bab

Seven Devils Lake is located in Idaho County, Idaho, 19 miles up a very windy gravel road through the mountains with the start of this road from HWY 95 near and south of Riggins Idaho USA. The road called Seven Devils Rd/NF-517 takes you to the lake and campground that is next to Seven Devils Mountains, the tallest of which is called He Devil at 9,393', Windy Saddle Trailhead campground and lookout, Windy Saddle Horse Facility and campground, and to Heavens Gate lookout (8,429'). All 3 campgrounds are within a mile of each other and all have vault toilets, but no drinking water.

Wide lookout area before one gets to Windy Saddle, Seven Devils Lake, and Heavens Gate. Car in pic has its hood open to help cool it off as the temperatures were in the 90's even at this elevation. The road is very steep at times.

Seven Devils Lake is next to Seven Devils Mountains the names and highest of which from north to south are... Devils Tooth 7,830', Tower of Babel 9,268', He Devil 9,393', She Devil 9,280', The Ogre 9,210', Mt Belial 8,880' (definition of Belial is a biblical name of the devil or one of his friends), Devils Throne 8,280', Twin Imps 9,005' (Imps stand for small demon), and Pyramid Mtn 8,650'. It's home to a healthy population of Mountain and Mule Goats. Heavens Gate mountain and lookout at 8,429 in elevation that gives you a view of 4 states (Idaho of course, Oregon, Washington, and Montana) is just a few miles east of the Seven Devils mountain range. Once you are near the lake in a saddle area called Windy Saddle that includes a campground with vault toilet (and U shape parking area) the road splits, either taking you to the lake (west) or north (and slightly east) toward the Heavens Gate lookout gravel parking lot. At Heavens Gate parking lot there is a short half mile trail that is a steep hike (5-15% grade) to a ranger lookout tower that you can get on to get a 360 view of all 4 states. The trail to the top of Heavens Gate is single track and steep at times. One gets a beautiful view from Heavens Gate parking lot.

Few if any of the hiking trails (See hiking trails info in lower portion of this article) in the Seven Devils/Heavens Gate area is accessible to wheelchairs or any mobility devices (none of which were created or improved to be accessible). However it is possible to navigate with a wheelchair with/without assistances some of the trails around the Seven Devils Lake and Windy Saddle campgrounds. As you drive up the road before getting to the lake there are two nice wide fairly level lookout areas. First one is when you can first see the Seven Devils mountain range, which is a wide grassy area (nice place for wheeled mobility devices when the ground is dry) and the other is Windy Saddle that sits between the lake and Heavens Gate, also fairly level for wheeled mobility devices when dry. Off road tires are an absolutely must for any wheelchair/wheeled mobility device.

Common low riding road cars like a Toyota Corolla be driven all the way to the lake and lookout. However it can potentially be a rough drive and we so advise driving up with an SUV. Most of the year the road is muddy with lots of ruts, so an offroad vehicle during these times is advised. Most of the road vehicles going opposite ways can easily pass each other but as you near the top that is not the case. Best to drive up late June and no sooner. The road ascends from HWY 95 some 5,500 feet in elevation. Either way it is an amazing drive or ride via ones mountain bike (motorized vehicles or bicycles are only allowed on the designated Forest Service roads, not on trails, off the road). Going down can result in brake heat up so we advise taking your time and stop from time to time to see the views and let the brakes cool during those hot times of the year.

Trail to Seven Devils Lake

Seven Devils Lake is right at the base of mountains, which is part of the Seven Devils Mountains. The lake is surrounded by trees and is approximately 20 feet deep at its deepest. Its a fairly round lake of about 500 ft across. We did not find any official notes about fishing on this lake, even though some indicate there are trout in the lake. One can almost hike around the lake even though on the west side its steep and very rocky where some climbing is needed (not rock climbing). The lake is on the south side of the campground. The trail to the lake exits (south) off the circular gravel/dirt road that goes through the campground. The trail starts with a steep short incline of 15%, then levels out through a small field (may be filled with water or muddy during wet times of the year), then climbs slightly when close to the lake, walking over rocks and some roots. Once you can see the lake then the trail disperses wide and descends down a steep 20% bank to the waters edge. If using a wheelchair you could get close enough with assistances to see the lake. Perfect lake to just chill next to and take in the sights, such as the super high cliff at the lake.

Seven Devils Campground access road

There is a primitive camp ground right by the lake with primitive 10 campsites. Most campsites you can park next to your tent or small camp trailer (would be hard to bring a large RV or camp trailer into this campground). Its a first come, first serve campground. No reservations are available. The lake sits in a bowl like protected area next to the mountains. So if a wind storm comes this campground is fairly protected. The Lake is on the south side of the campground, 0.2 miles away. There is one accessible vault toilet in the campground area. No fees currently are charged to use this campground.

This is the trail exiting from Windy Saddle Trailhead Campground. One can hike this trail a few miles and turn back or do the loop that is approximately 17 miles long.

There is another campground nearby on Windy Saddle Trailhead campground with no official total number of campsites designated. This campground has few trees and is very exposed to wind. The lack of trees in this area was due to a wildfire a few years ago. There is one accessible vault toilet in this campground and parking viewing area. Because the whole campground is in an open area and fairly level its a good location for wheelchair access/mobility devices. One has to park in the gravel/dirt/mud parking lot and then walk a short distance to ones campsite, so this campground is only for tents. No fees currently are charged to use this campground.

There is east of Windy Saddle what is called Windy Saddle Horse Facility and Campground, where vehicles pulling horse trailers can park on the same mountain as the Heavens Gate lookout. This site is an open area with some leveled out parking gravel spaces. There are 4 designated campsites with room enough for vehicle and horse trailer. This area has few trees and is very exposed to wind. The lack of trees in this area was due to a wildfire a few years ago. There is one accessible vault Toilet. Because the whole parking area is on a slope, its not an ideal place for wheelchairs/mobility devices. The road going through the horse parking area is sloped at 5-15% grade.

This lake, the area mountains, campgrounds, etc. are all not very well known, but still well visited mostly by locals. Was strange as it was hard to acquire information about this area, thus its low visits, and thus one of the reasons we wrote this article, the other reason is to supply disability related accessibility information. Visiting this area mid week or late summer (after school starts) is best if one wants to avoid tourists. Learn more at the Forest Service website who maintain these sites https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wallowa-whitman/recarea/?recid=51645

Fishing/Wildlife: Fish unknown, Geese, Ducks, Mountain Goats, Mountain Lions, Black Bears, Deer, Elk. Directions: One-half mile south of Riggins on Hwy 95 turn west onto Seven Devils Rd/NF-517 (there is a tall billboard on the opposite side of the start of Seven Devils Rd on HWY 95). There is a good size Forest Service sign that says "Hells Canyon National Recreation area and Seven Devils" that is posted on HWY 95. For some reason this sign is only visible traveling south on HWY 95, not going north. This road is 19-miles long that has several lookouts, Seven Devils Lake, Seven Devils Mountains, 2 campground, Heavens Gate Lookout, and the Hells Canyon Wilderness area. The gravel road can be rough at times with ruts. During spring or fall, or wet times of the year the road can be very muddy and treacherous. Best to travel this road no early than late June for offroad vehicles and late July for passenger cars. Using an SUV or offroad vehicles is advised.

SEVENS DEVILS LAKE AND CAMPGROUND ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Level to mostly unlevel gravel/rocky/dirt/mud small parking areas in and around campground; PATHS/TRAILS... No paved paths. There are primitive single track rocky dirt trails and open grassy/rocky/dirt/mud areas throughout the campground and at/by the lake. All trails have deep descents once near the lake. Also the non wheeled mobility accessible trail 123 exist the west side of the campground to Sheep Lake and He Devil Mountain, etc.; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… One fully accessible vault toilet; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No docks or platforms; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... 10 primitive non designated accessible campsites. There are several fairly level campsites that wheelchairs with offroad tires could navigate. No picnic tables; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Very rocky, dirt, and mud (wet times of year), wood debris; Terrain: Level to very steep; Environmental Conditions: Cold and windy in the winter and hot during the later summer months. This campsite has lots of big trees the supply shade in the hot summers, plus the mountains create a shadow as the sun moves west. Due to its high elevation its tends to be cool most times of the year; Resources: No drinking water available at the campground or nearby. Food, drinks, and gas at town of Riggins off of I95. Forest Service Link.

WINDY SADDLE TRAILHEAD CAMPGROUND AND LOOKOUT PARKING AREA ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Mostly level gravel/dirt/mud parking near campsites; PATHS/TRAILS... No paved paths. No designated trails to campsites. There are primitive single track and open space through rocky dirt trails that descend away from campground. All trails away from campground have deep descents due to the campground being in a saddle high on a mountain. Dirt road to Seven Devils Lake and Heavens Gate lookout includes potholes and ruts, road to Heavens Gate includes a 5-7% grade. There are two trails from this area, Seven Devils Trail #124 and Sheep Creek Trail #53 which enter Hells Canyon Wilderness; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… One fully accessible vault toilet; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Approximately 10 primitive non designated non accessible campsites. Most campsites are fairly level that wheelchairs with offroad tires could navigate. Once one leaves a campsite all terrain is sloped at 10-18%, and more. No picnic tables; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Very rocky, dirt, and mud (wet times of year), wood debris; Terrain: Level to very steep; Environmental Conditions: Cold and windy in the winter and hot during the later summer months. This campsite has no significant trees to supply shape, so this campground is very open to bad weather such as wind, rain, etc. Due to its high elevation its tends to be cool most times of the year; Resources: No drinking water available at the campground or nearby. Food, drinks, and gas at town of Riggins off of I95. Forest Service Link.

WINDY SADDLE HORSE FACILITY BETWEEN SEVEN DEVILS LAKE AND HEAVENS GATE LOOKOUT ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Level to mostly unlevel gravel/dirt/mud parking for vehicles with horse trailers ; PATHS/TRAILS... No paved paths. There are primitive single track rocky dirt trails throughout the facility. All trails have somewhat steep descents due to the campground being on the side of a mountain of 5-15%; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… One fully accessible vault toilet; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. CAMPING... 4 campsites on fairly level gravel/dirt/grassy ground with picnic tables; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Gravel, dirty, and mud (wet times of year); Terrain: Overall from moderate slope of 5% to steep at 15%; Environmental Conditions: Cold and windy in the winter and hot during the later summer months. Due to its high elevation its tends to be cool most times of the year; Resources: No drinking water available at the facility or nearby. Food, drinks, and gas at town of Riggins off of I90. Forest Service Link.

HEAVENS GATE PARKING LOT AND TRAIL HEAD ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Level gravel and dirt parking area at trailhead. Parking lot will accommodate about 20 vehicles. Road leading to parking lot from Windy Saddle is 5-7% grade; PATHS/TRAILS... No paved paths. There is one half mile primitive single track rocky dirt trail to and from the lookout that is absolutely not accessible to wheelchairs/wheeled mobility devices with 10 to 20% grade. Once at the top of the mountain there is a lookout ranger building that the public is allowed to access. There are about 20 steps to a railed walkway around the building. Inside of the building is open in the summer typically when the seasonal volunteers are there, otherwise the buildings door is locked. There is a guest book to sign; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… One fully accessible fault toilet at parking lot; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. CAMPING... No. Camping nearby at Windy Saddle Trailhead Campground, Windy Saddle Horse Facility Campground, or Seven Devils Lake Campground; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Very rocky, sand, and mud; Terrain: Level at parking lot, other than that the trail is very steep, 10-20% grade. Lots of sand, rocks, mud (wert times of year); Environmental Conditions: Cold and windy in the winter and hot during the later summer months. Due to its high elevation its tends to be cool most times of the year; Resources: No drinking water available at the lookout area or nearby. Food, drinks, and gas at town of Riggins off of I90. Forest Service Link.

He Devil Mountain and Sheep Lake

HIKING TRAIL 123, HE DEVIL/SHEEP LAKE. He Devil Mountain (45.324135°N 116.548418°W)... This hiking section is a work in progress as we will visit this area again in late summer of 2024. This is a full day hike. We have not found this trail noted on any maps offered, other than on the map below that was drawn by a hiker and noted by other hikers. We added the trail to our basic trail map, that shows all the main trails. The trail is noted by the Forest Service, yet not on any of their maps. Also no official length of the trail, we are estimating 6-7.5 miles. We will have an official length once we hike this trail this late summer 2024. The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Progressing toward the mountain the trail is single track to no trail up steep climbs (no rock climbing) and bouldering. This hike requires one to be in shape with excellent leg/ankle strength and balance at times with no hiking stick. Some bouldering requiring to use ones hands/arms. One must use hiking boots, full day+ of water and food, with appropriate clothing for environmental exposure of sun, heat, cold, rain, snow, etc. Make sure you have a first aid kit. Climbing this mountain early summer/June and late October when icy, snow covered, is not recommended.

Some who do this hike will primitive camp along the shore of Sheep Lake to allow more time to hike this and other mountains like She Devil. And have time to fish, etc.

There are several hikes around the Seven Devils Mountains but in this text we are going to focus on the He Devil Mountain/Sheep Lake hike via a trail 123 from the west side of Seven Devils Lake Campground, not from Windy Saddle which increases the length of the hike significantly. One must get off the trail once near the mountain to hike a ridge to the mountain top (9,393 ft).

He Devil from the northeast showing major features, the approximate location of the Sheep Lake Trail(123)and a recommended departure area. It is also possible for some who have excellent strength and steep hiking abilities to leave the trail and climb more straight up.

Closeup of the lower NW Ridge to top of He Devil. The easiest access is up the shallow couloir to the deep notch/saddle on the right. Once on the ridge one will notice a short piece of a trial. Trail does not last due to hiking over rock.

The last bit of He Devil involves a scramble/bouldering to get to where the cairn is with a register in a white tube located at the base of the cairn. Once up at the top there are two elevate spots to view the surrounding area. Takes some scrambling/bouldering to get to and from the points.