Wallowa Mountains, Eagle Cap Wilderness

This hike from near Wallowa Lake, heads into the Eagle Cap Wilderness and arrives at Aneroid Lake. The trial is fairly steep at the start, but mellows out about halfway to the lake. Roger Lake is passed just before reading Aneroid Lake. A group of private cabins are at the south end of the lake. Aneroid Mountain and Pete's Point are nearby.

Notes

This is a moderate hike to a lake with a magnificent view. The trail starts at and follows Eagle Creek through the canyon. At 3.4 miles, after crossing Copper Creek there is a trail junction. Go left at this junction. The sign indicates the trail is not maintained. The trail is a bit rocky but otherwise good. From here, the trail starts climbing rapidly which makes it the toughest stretch. The trail does level out as it goes through a meadow near Heart Lake, although the lake is not visible from the trail.

This short trail is well build and interesting for a trail run or taking the family on a hike. It switches back steeply to gain a ridge for a loop that includes a couple rock outcropping overlooks. The dense forest and serene crossings of Catherine Creek, make this a fantastic summer hike.

The is a physically challenging 5 mile hike up to Chimney Lake. The trail climbs in switchback fashion from the campground to the lake. Laverty Lakes is a serene stop as you near the lake.

Notes:

• Start: Bowman Trailhead up the Lostine River (South of Lostine, Oregon)
• Northwest forest pass required

China Cap is a popular climb for people on the west side of the Wallowas because it is a fairly docile hike up a trail until the final few hundred yards. The cliff on the north side is quite impressive, so be careful scrambling up the ridge. Make sure to sign in at the register on the summit!

Notes

• The trail begins at Buck Creek Campground.
• A Northwest Forest Pass is required at the trailhead

Eagle Cap is a giant mound of sandy soil and rock in the middle of the Wallowa Mountains, offering a 360 view of all the peaks and several lakes. It is the only mountain in the Eagle Cap Wilderness with an official trail to the summit, and offers virtually no technical challenge, other than some good fitness if you want to summit in one day. Wilderness camping opportunities abound around this mountain, so planning a summit for a one day trip from camp is a good option. Glacier Peak is just to the south.

This tasty summit in the heart of the Wallowa Mountains is a rocky climb with a bit of scrambling on very loose rock. The summit is a somewhat narrow ridge that is accessible from the Lakes Management Basin. The route here is shown starting at Glacier Lake, climbing to the summit and then traversing over to Eagle Cap Summit. There is no established trail. The route up includes hiking on talus or snow. The northern ridge toward Eagle Cap includes a hairy descent off the summit on some crumbling rock.

This is a mostly downhill hike from Moss Springs to the Minam Lodge, also going past Reds Horse Ranch and the airfield there.

Much of this route travels steeply up an old mining road. Once you come over a saddle and into Norway Basin, the views of Red Mountain and the rugged terrain in the basin are magnificent. The trail becomes singletrack for the remainder as it eventually gains the saddle where it connects with the Sugarloaf Trail, which travels east along the ridge over to Russel Mountain, and Twin Lakes. The Sugarloaf Trail can be used to connect over to the East Pine Creek trail to make a loop back.

Climbing Red Mountain is a rugged and long trek that rewards climbers with a 9,560 foot summit that is the highest point in Baker County, Oregon (14th highest in Oregon). The climb requires no special technical skill, other then good footwork and balance to navigate hundreds of vertical feet of crumbling red rock.

This is the highest peak in the Wallowa Mountains of Northeast Oregon. The route here is shown starting at the Thorp Creek Basin, which is accessed from the Hurricane Creek Trailhead.

This hike from the Hurricane Creek Trailhead climbs a canyon between the highest mountains in the Wallowas.

The route shown here is a strenuous hike or good trail run, shown here as a connection between Indian Crossing Campground to Twin Lakes Campground on either end. This is a steep trail climbing from the Imnaha River to Twin Lakes. The route starts up the South Fork Imnaha Trail 1816 and fording the river to Trail 1874 at Blue Hole. Trail 1874 climbs up the canyon's south side, topping out at Twin Lakes which is a non-fee campground and trailhead. The route travels through the Twin Lakes burn, over some rock outcroppings and mostly and wide open views.