Eagle Cap Wilderness

Tough trip in paradise

August is finally here, and throughout most of Oregon the hiking conditions more closely resemble April. There isn’t much anyone can do to speed up snow melt or clear trails that are inaccessible, but this is a good time to daydream about the epic backpacking trip you’re dying to take once summer finally arrives.

For photography buffs or, really, anyone who enjoys sweeping alpine views, demanding hiking and some of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the state, here are two words of advice:

Wallowa Mountains.

It’s a long drive to eastern Oregon and an even longer drive to most of the trailheads in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, and this majestic but extremely rugged land is best appreciated in large doses, so any trip to the Wallowas involves a hefty time commitment. But if you get a chance to do only one long backpacking trip this summer, give serious consideration to the 42-mile loop along the West Fork Wallowa River. You’ll climb to nearly 10,000 feet, scramble across two high mountain passes and camp on the shores of perhaps the bluest lakes you will ever see.

It’s tough to beat.

The best place to start is the tiny town of Joseph, nestled on the edge of Wallowa Lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. What it lacks in size, Joseph makes up for with a surprising array of amenities that includes several hotels and a small collection of restaurants. It’s a great place to fuel up for the hike ahead, which is a demanding five-day loop that involves a little more than 9,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain. It also involves a couple dicey scrambles, an occasionally knee-deep — and almost always bone-chillingly cold — river ford, and the chance that unpredictable mountain weather could roll in at any time, without warning. It’s not for the faint of heart, but for anyone who appreciates the journey as much as the destination, the rewards are indescribable.

From Wallowa Lake State Park — accessible to passenger cars and located on the south shore of the lake — go left at the trailhead for East Fork Wallowa River Trail, following signs toward Aneroid Lake. It’s about 6.5 miles of steady climbing to the lake, which makes a nice camp site and a perfect base camp for potential day-trips to Aneroid Mountain, Dollar Lake or Pete’s Point. It also makes a nice camp site because the climb from the trailhead clocks in at 3,200 feet. Your thighs will welcome the rest.

Wallowa Lake | Oregon Lakes & Rivers Online | Guide to Oregon ...

And that’s just the beginning. Wallowa Lake is the gateway to the Eagle Cap Wilderness, where you can hike, bike and horseback ride as far as 10,000 feet above the lake. The views are breathtaking, and you’ll encounter streams, high mountain lakes, wild flowers and wildlife in the peace and solitude of a land unmarred by the progress of human ambition. The good folks at Wallowa Lake Lodge have posted a wonderful overview of the hiking trails in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, noting that the Chief Joseph Trail, the Aneroid Lake Trail, and the West Fork Trail are the three main trails that go into the Eagle Cap Wilderness from the Wallowa Lake area. Each provides the opportunity to day hike or to backpack to one's own ability. Easily reached vistas and overlooks, wild flowers, and stunning autumn colors are readily available for the casual hiker. Hiking to the nearest high lake is a 12 mile round trip with a 3,000 foot elevation gain but you can go as far as the top of 10,000 foot peaks. Link to details .

Eagle Cap Wilderness

Hiking Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness

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