The History of Hells Canyon Muledays
In the Spring of 1981, local ranchers and packers met with representatives of the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce and USDA Forest Service to explore the idea of putting together a new county event.
As a result, the mule - tough, intelligent, individualistic, often maligned, but the mainstay of the many packers and outfitters working in Wallowa County - was elevated to center stage for the first annual Hells Canyon Mule Days celebration on September 19 - 20, 1981.
Hells Canyon was an appropriate title because that area owes most of its early settlement and development to the mule which predominantly served as a major means of transportation to gain access to this rugged region of the county.
Given the well-known independence of Mule Days’ long-eared star, the entertaining , action-packed event has met its initial goal - both mule skinners and spectators alike can be part of this family oriented mule show, with events and games for all ages
2026 MULE DAYS GRAND MARSHALS
HCMD 2026 Grand Marshals – Jacob and Ashley Spaur
At just 35 and 37 years old, Jacob and Ashley Spaur are honored to serve as Grand Marshals for the 45th Annual Hells Canyon Mule Days — a reflection of their deep roots in the traditions, values, and rugged beauty of Wallowa County, Oregon. As the owners of Sour Apple Outfitters, they have built far more than a successful outfitting business; they have created a way of life centered around hard work, family, horses, and a passion for the outdoors.
Jacob Spaur was born in May of 1989 in Silverton, Oregon, to Vern and Theresa Spaur and moved to Wallowa at the age of three. The youngest of three children, Jacob was raised with a deep appreciation for the outdoors thanks to his father, an avid outdoorsman who taught him from a young age to hunt, fish, and cut firewood. Jacob excelled in athletics during his years at Wallowa High School, where he enjoyed football and earned a state wrestling title. It was also during high school that the dream of owning an outfitting business first began to take shape. Working for Ashley’s family and learning from her father, Bill Graning, Jacob completed his senior project on “How to Pack,” gaining hands-on experience and knowledge of the backcountry that would later become foundational to their future.
Ashley Spaur was born in December of 1990 to Bill and Amy Graning and was raised on her family’s ranch in Joseph, Oregon. She grew up alongside her two siblings in a family deeply connected to ranching, horses, community, and the outdoors. Family has always been at the center of Ashley’s life, and one of the roles she treasures most is being “Auntie” to her nieces and nephews. Growing up in Wallowa County gave Ashley a strong connection to the traditions and values of Eastern Oregon while also shaping her passion for hospitality and caring for others. Ashley learned to cook at an early age from her mother, Amy, who was known as an incredible cook — especially in hunting camps and outdoor settings where good meals brought people together after long days in the mountains. Those lessons became a lifelong passion and are still reflected today in the meals Ashley prepares for family, friends, hunting camps, and guests who visit Sour Apple Outfitters.
Jacob and Ashley met at the young age of 14 while attending high school, and from that point on, their lives and dreams became closely intertwined. Their upbringing in the mountains and canyons of Eastern Oregon prepared them for the demanding lifestyle they have built together.
In 2012, while Ashley was attending college and playing softball, the couple started their first business together, Back Country Spraying. Their work often took them deep into the Snake River country, completing noxious weed spraying contracts for the Forest Service, county agencies, and private landowners. Over the years, their businesses expanded to include fencing and trail-clearing contracts alongside spraying and outfitting work.
In December of 2022, Jacob and Ashley purchased Steen’s Wilderness Adventures from Shawn and Shelly Steen, lifelong family friends whom Ashley often describes as her second parents growing up. The opportunity was both meaningful and humbling for the Spaur’s, who felt honored to continue the legacy and traditions established by the Steens while building the future of Sour Apple Outfitters.
Today, Jacob and Ashley are widely respected throughout Wallowa County for their work ethic, integrity, and dedication to both their clients and community. Long days, harsh weather, remote country, and the constant demands of outfitting are simply part of the lifestyle they embrace. They care for approximately 35 head of horses and mules, guide clients through some of the most breathtaking and rugged backcountry in the Pacific Northwest, and work tirelessly to maintain the high standards they have built their reputation upon.
At the center of everything they do is family. Jacob and Ashley are the proud parents of two children, Kylee (10) and Ryker (8), who are already deeply involved in the outdoor traditions that define their family’s way of life. Whether it’s hunting season, camping, sports, or 4-H projects, the kids are immersed in the same values of hard work, responsibility, and appreciation for the outdoors that shaped their parents. During the school year, they balance busy schedules, but whenever possible, the entire family heads to camp together one way or another.
Ashley handles the bookkeeping for both of their businesses while also serving as Chairwoman of the RMEF Wallowa Mountain Ladies Event. One of her favorite times of year is second elk season, when she heads to hunting camp to cook for the crew — a tradition she cherishes deeply. She is also the founder and host of Huckleberry Haven, an annual women’s retreat held each August outside of Joseph, Oregon, in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Women from across the country travel to Wallowa County to experience horseback riding, glamping tents, home-cooked meals, fresh mountain air, and the peace and healing found in nature far away from the stresses of everyday life.
Jacob is known by many as a true jack of all trades. Though he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, those who know him best recognize his remarkable ability to build or repair nearly anything. With a calm and thoughtful spirit, he approaches every task with seriousness and pride. When he’s not packing stock, spraying weeds, fencing, or clearing trails, Jacob enjoys chukar hunting, shed hunting in the spring, and spending time outdoors with his family. Together, Jacob and Ashley share a passion for both rifle and archery hunting — traditions they are proudly passing down to their children.
Deeply community-minded, the Spaur’s are passionate supporters of the rural traditions and values that make Wallowa County unique. They understand the importance of preserving agricultural heritage, supporting local families, and strengthening the bonds between neighbors and community members. Their generosity and hospitality have created an atmosphere where guests quickly become friends, and friendships often continue long after the trip has ended.
Their love for the wilderness is evident in every horseback ride through the mountains, every campfire conversation, and every effort they make to protect the beauty of the country they are privileged to work in each day. Through hard work, resilience, family values, and a genuine passion for the Western way of life, Jacob and Ashley Spaur proudly represent the spirit and traditions celebrated by Hells Canyon Mule Days.
Hells Canyon Muledays Grand Marshals
1981 – WADE HALL & ETHEL THOMAS
1982 – MIKE & JOYCE McFETRIDGE
1983 – GLEN HAWKINS & GRACE BARTLETT
1984 – LEE MANES & LYNN MITCHELL
1985 – JESS EARL & CLARA HEARING
1986 – LAWRENCE & ILENE POTTER
1987 – CARMEN MAXWELL & A. L. DUCKETT
1988 – JOE McCLARAN & MARY MARKS
1989 – OAKLEY JOHNSON & HAZEL BARTON/FLEET
1990 – JOE ONAIDIA & GUS MALAXA
1991 – EMORY CRAWFORD
1992 – MAX & MARCEL WALKER.
1993 – JIM & JEAN BROOKS
1994 – JIM & LOIS BLANKENSHIP
1995 – GENE & MILDRED MARR
1996 – SAM & LAURA LOFTUS
1997 – DICK & BETTY HAMMOND
1998 – PEARL INGLE
1999 – DELBERT (DEB) WART
2000 – FRED TALBOTT
2000 – Noel & Genie Wright • Honorary
2001 – MANFORD & VERA ISLEY
2002 – MEREL HAWKINS
2003 – ARNOLD SCHAEFFER
2004 – BENNIE BANKS
2005 – DOUG & JANIE TIPPETT
2005 – Bonnie Shields • Honorary
2006 – BOB CASEY
2006 – Gerald Perren • Honorary
2007 – BLANCHE MAXWELL
2007 – Gene & Bonnie Westberg • Honorary
2008 – JUANA MALAXA & MARIE ONAINDIA
2008 – Mike Brennan • Honorary
2009 – CARMEN KOHLHEPP
2009 – R. A. “Ace” Barton • Honorary
2010 – BIDEN & BETTY TIPPETT
2010 – Ben Tippett • Honorary
2011 – LEO TIPTON “Tip” PROCTOR
2011 – George Hixson • Honorary
2012 – GRANT & BARBARA WARNOCK
2012 – Duke & Rhee Lathrop • Honorary
2013 – LARRY & JUANITA WATERS
2014 – DICK WALKER
2014 – Art Galbraith • Honorary
2015 – DENNIS & PEGGY BRENNAN
2016 – MARVIN LOVELL
2017 – ROBERT “BOB” BALES
2018 – ORAN MCCRAE
2019 – JULIE KOOCH
2022 – WARREN MATTHEWS
2023 – CAL HENNRY
2024 – JIM & HOLLY AKENSON
2025 – SHAWN & SHELLY STEEN
2026 – JACOB & ASHLEY SPAUR