Updated December 1, 2011
This trail report provides the known conditions for the main summer recreation trails in the Wallowa Mountains and Eagle Cap Wilderness.
A 'maintained' trail has been reviewed by a district recreation manager, the known hazards (e.g. rock slides, broken trees and branches) have been removed and annual maintenance tasks have been completed.
Eagle Cap Wilderness Trails: WINTER CONDITIONS
General Conditions: The trails in and around the Eagle Cap Wilderness are starting to see snow for the year.
When To Go and Wilderness Weather
Winter months bring heavy snowfall to the Eagle Cap Wilderness area, causing many of the trails in the wilderness to be blocked with snowbanks through June and early July. For backcountry skiing opportunities, contact the Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center (541-426-5596) or an Outfitter Guide.
Weather Conditions
The summer and fall season typically begins at the end of June on the lower elevation trails and runs to the end of November. High elevation trails are usually snow free from mid-July though September. Visitors should plan to check with the Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center to be sure your route of travel is accessible. Always come prepared with an ax and shovel for unexpected trail damage or down trees.
The Eagle Cap Wilderness is the most heavily used wilderness in northeast Oregon, with the Lakes Basin Management Area the most popular. With the large size of the wilderness and the extensive trail system visitors should find many opportunities for solitude. Solitude is an important part of a wilderness adventure. To assure yourself of this atmosphere avoid holidays, travel on a weekday, in early spring or after Labor Day, and visit areas other than the Lakes Basin. Listed below are trails of high use which visitors may want to avoid during the peak season:
- The Lakes Basin includes the following lakes:
(Mirror, Moccasin, Minam, Upper, Sunshine, Glacier, Frazier, Little Frazier, Douglas, Crescent, Lee and Horseshoe)
- East Fork Wallowa
- West Fork Wallowa
- Hurricane Creek
- East Fork Lostine
- West Fork Lostine
SEASONAL SAFETY MESSAGE
- Weather -There is no way to determine specifically what the weather will be like. Always be prepared for all types of weather.
- General Road Conditions - No restrictions at this time.
- Check trailhead bulletin boards for current regulations. Visitors are encouraged to stop in at any Forest Service Office.
SUMMER TRAIL CONDITIONS
Last Updated July 7, 2010
SNOW IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS...CALL FOR CURRENT CONDITIONS
Lostine Canyon Campgrounds (or other Recreation Sites) Water is available at the Guard Station |
Name
|
Maintained
|
Potable Water |
Fees |
# Units |
Notes |
| Shady Campground * |
06/24/2010 |
No |
$6.00 |
14 tent/trailer |
Hiking, Fishing |
| Williamson Campground* |
06/01/2010 |
No |
$6.00 |
9 tent/trailer |
|
| Canyon Campground* |
06/01/2010 |
No |
No |
2 tent/trailer |
|
| Walla-Walla Campground* |
06/01/2010 |
No |
$6.00 |
4 tent/trailer |
|
| Irondyke Campground* |
06/01/2010 |
No |
$6.00 |
6 tent/trailer |
|
| Turkey Flat Campground* |
06/01/2010 |
No |
$6.00 |
4 tent/trailer |
|
| Arrow Campground* |
No |
No |
$6.00 |
3 tent/trailer |
|
|
Maintained
|
Potable Water |
Fees |
# Units |
Notes |
| French Camp Picnic Area |
06/01/2010 |
No |
None |
|
|
| Pole Bridge Picnic Area |
06/01/2010 |
No |
None |
|
|
| |
|
| Boundary Campground* |
06/01/2010 |
No |
None |
8 tent/trailer |
|
| Hurricane Campground* |
06/01/2010 |
No |
$6.00 |
12 tent/trailer |
Camp sites 5, 8, 10 are accessible |
Note: Please pack your own garbage out and clean up fire ring when leaving self-service and no service campgrounds and picnic areas.
Dumping stations in Wallowa and Enterprise.
TRAILHEADS
|
Recreation Pass Site |
Self-Service Pay Site |
Restroom |
On-Site Camping |
Unloading Ramp |
Hitchrail(s) |
Feedbunk(s) |
Stock Water |
| McCully |
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
|
| Wallowa Lake |
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
| Hurricane |
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
x |
| Bowman/Francis |
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
x |
| Maxwell |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
| Two-Pan |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
| Bear Creek |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
| Huckleberry |
|
|
|
|
x |
|
|
|
| Cougar Ridge |
|
|
|
|
x |
|
|
|
| Bear Wallow |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
x |
TRAILS - Be aware that there are constantly changing conditions due to weather.
Name |
Trail # |
Maintained |
Restrictions |
Conditions |
| Bear Creek |
1653 |
06/16/2010 |
|
Maintained to Bear Creek Cabin (5 miles) |
| Bear Lake |
1921A |
No |
|
|
| Bear Minam |
1655 |
No |
|
|
| Bench Canyon |
1937 |
No |
|
|
| Big Sheep Ridge |
1685 |
Yes - 06/16/2010 |
|
Cleared from Wilderness boundary to junction of trail #1672 |
| Billy Jones |
1824 |
No |
|
|
| Blue Creek |
1865 |
No |
|
|
| Blue Lake |
1673A |
No |
|
|
| Boner Flat |
1801 |
No |
|
Closed -. Non-existant trail |
| Bonny Lakes |
1802 |
No |
|
|
| Bowman |
1651 |
Yes - 06/22/2010 |
|
Cleared for 1.5 miles |
| Cartwheel Ridge |
1907 |
No |
|
|
| Chief Joseph |
1803 |
No |
|
Closed - Bridge Out |
| Chimney/Wood |
1659 |
No |
|
|
| China Ridge |
1906 |
No |
|
07/07/2010: Hard, deep snow near China Cap. Lots of mud. Not recommended for stock. |
| Cliff River |
1885 |
No |
|
|
| Cliff Spur |
1885A |
No |
|
|
| Copper Creek |
1656 |
No |
|
|
| Cougar Ridge |
1668 |
No |
|
|
| Crib Point |
1909 |
No |
|
|
| Division Camp |
1649 |
No |
|
|
| Art Garret |
1913 |
No |
|
|
| Dobbin Creek |
1654 |
No |
|
|
| Eagle Cap Summit |
1805 |
No |
|
|
| Eagle Lake |
1931 |
No |
|
Trail overgrown. Sign down. Trail difficult to locate |
| East Eagle |
1910 |
No |
|
|
| E. Fork Lostine |
1662 |
No |
|
07/01/2010: Bridge out 1 1/2 mile from TH - Necessary to ford. About 100" up the stream there is a log across which is crossable. Two pan TH to Meadows Bridge section: snow drifts begin at 6000', heavy on the switchback corners. Trail open to hikers but NO stock. Trail becomes very faint due to snow at about 6500'. Some open areas once meadow is reached for camping but snow covers trail after the bridge in the meadow. |
| E. Fork Wallowa |
1804 |
No |
|
|
| Elk Creek |
1944 |
No |
|
07/07/2010 Snow approximately 1/2 mile in. |
| Elkhorn |
1688 |
No |
|
|
| Fake Creek |
1914 |
No |
|
|
| Frances Lake |
1663 |
Yes - 06/22/2010 |
|
Cleared 2 miles then snow |
| Frazier Pass |
1947 |
No |
|
|
| Glacier Lake |
1806 |
No |
|
|
| Goat Creek |
1665 |
No |
|
06/11/2010: Huckleberry Trailhead not accessible due to flood conditions. |
| Granite |
1676 |
No |
|
|
| Green Lake |
1666 |
No |
|
|
| Hidden Lake |
1915 |
No |
|
|
High Wallowa
Mt. Howard Loop |
1813 |
No |
|
|
| Horse Ranch |
1908 |
06/10/2010 |
|
|
| Horseshoe Lake |
1821 |
No |
|
|
| Huckleberry Mtn. |
1667 |
No |
|
06/11/2010: Huckleberry Trailhead not accessible due to flood conditions. |
| Hunter Falls |
1829 |
No |
|
|
| Hurricane |
1807 |
No |
|
06/11/2010: Snow covers trail approximately 4.5 miles in. |
| Ice Lake |
1808 |
No |
|
|
| Ivan Carper |
1661 |
No |
|
|
| Jim White |
1918 |
No |
|
|
| Lackeys Hole |
1942 |
No |
|
|
| Lakes Basin |
1810 |
No |
|
|
| Legore |
1753 |
No |
|
|
| Lick Creek |
1809 |
No |
|
07/01/2010: TH to wilderness boundary is in good condition. Boundary to top of saddle is passable. No snow. Some logs down which a horse can get over easily. |
| Little Kettle Creek |
1945 |
No |
|
|
| Little Minam |
1901 |
No |
|
|
| Little Pot |
1919 |
No |
|
Trail Abandoned permanently. |
| Lodgepole |
1920 |
No |
|
|
| Long Lake |
1669 |
No |
|
|
| Lookingglass |
1921 |
No |
|
|
| Main Eagle Trail |
1922 |
No |
|
07/07/2010: Two miles in there are a series of serious washouts. Lots of snow around Arrow Lake. At the 7400' level, deep snow closed the trail to hikers. |
| Maxwell Lake |
1674 |
06/22/2010 |
|
From Trailhead to 2.5 miles |
| McCully Creek |
1812 |
No |
|
|
| Minam River |
1673 |
No |
|
|
| Miners Basin |
1671 |
No |
|
|
| Moccasin |
1810A |
No |
|
|
| Mule Peak |
1924 |
No |
|
|
| Murphy Creek |
1672 |
No |
|
|
| N. Catherine |
1905 |
No |
|
06/11/2010: Trail inaccessible from N Fork Catherine Ck Trailhead due to flood damage causing closed access road. 06/11/2010: Snow in meadows. |
| N. Fork Imnaha |
1814 |
No |
|
Many downed trees. |
| North Minam Mdw |
1675 |
No |
|
|
| Norway |
1896 |
No |
|
|
| Pine Lake |
1880 |
No |
|
|
| Polaris |
1831 |
No |
|
Trail is undefined in places |
| Rock Springs |
1928 |
No |
|
06/11/2010: Trailhead accessible. |
| Sand Pass |
1912 |
No |
|
07/07/2010: some small drifts. |
| S. Fork Imnaha |
1816 |
06/27/2010 |
|
From trailhead to Deadman Trail passable for stock and hikers. There are spots where the creek is going down the trail but it is in good condition otherwise. |
| Squaw Creek |
1951 |
No |
|
06/11/2010: Trail inaccessible from N Fork Catherine Ck Trailhead due to flood damage causing closed access road. |
| Standley Ridge |
1677 |
06/28/2010 |
|
From Bear Wallow TH to Wilderness Boundary |
| Storm Lake |
1689 |
No |
|
|
| Sugarloaf |
1887 |
No |
|
|
| Sullivan |
1946 |
No |
|
|
| Tenderfoot Wagon Rd. |
1819 |
No |
|
Maintained 3 miles from TH |
| Tombstone Lake |
1943 |
No |
|
Open to Elk Creek Junction |
| Twin Lakes |
1874 |
No |
|
|
| Washboard |
1680 |
No |
|
|
| West Eagle |
1934 |
No |
|
Wonker Pass is washed out, not suitable for stock. 06/11/2010: Trailhead inaccessible due to deep snow covering access road. |
| W. Fork Lostine |
1670 |
No |
|
06/22/2010: Cleared to Copper Creek junction trail #1659 |
| W. Fork Wallowa |
1820 |
No |
|
07/01/2010: Maintained to 5.5 miles. A little mucky and muddy in spots. |
| Wing Ridge |
1828 |
No |
|
|
Note: Please, do not park in front of stock facilities. Use picket line, stakes, or hobbles. Pack pellets instead of hay. Wait until you get home to clean out your trailer.
WILDERNESS INFORMATION: The Eagle Cap Wilderness has a visitor permit system. Permits are free, unlimited, and self-issued at the trailheads as visitors begin their wilderness trip. The permits and deposit boxes are located adjacent to the information boards found at each trailhead. The permits are required of all visitors so that the most accurate information possible can be obtained. The information collected will be used to measure the amount and location of visitor use. Please do not confuse the visitor permit system with the Recreation Pass system!
Special Note: Party size limit in the Eagle Cap Wilderness - 12 persons. Overnight party size limit in Lakes Basin Area - 6 people.
Check trailhead bulletin boards for current regulations and special announcements. Visitors are encouraged to stop in at any Forest Service Office.
Maintenance:
Most trails have not been cleared due to the winter's accumulation of snow. Weather can change the condition of the wilderness trails within a few hours so be prepared for unforeseen obstacles in the trails. Always check trailhead bulletin boards for information we may have available for you.
At any time, Wilderness Trail users may expect:
·
Downed trees and or obstacles
·
Washouts, slides and other winter damage,
·
Rocks, limbs and other rough tread conditions.
Recreation Passes:
A National Forest Recreation Pass (Northwest Forest Pass) is required on vehicles parked at or near all major trailheads serving the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Passes cost $5 per day or $30 for an annual pass (good for one year from month of purchase). Senior and Access Passes and the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass are also honored (in place of Recreation Passes) at the same locations.
-
The passes are available for sale at the local Ranger District Offices and at any Forest Service office in Oregon and Washington.
-
Recreation Pass self-service pay stations are also available at most fee trailheads.
Cabin Rentals
Information about cabin rentals on the Forest can be found on the "Activity Finder" portion of our website:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/w-w/recreation/recreation-list.shtml#cabin
Seasonal Safety Message
Weather - There is no way to determine what the weather will be like - always be prepared for all types of weather. Check specific NOAA weather reports.
General road conditions - Verify current road conditions in this area with ODOT.
Hunting seasons - Verify season dates at ODFW. Use caution and wear bright colors.
Fire danger - Read more about current conditions in the forest on our Current Conditions web page.
River levels - check real-time Snake River Basin, water data with USGS.
Snow levels - verify snow levels in the wilderness with SNOTEL.
Call the Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center for current conditions 541-426-5546.
DEVELOPED CAMPING AND DAY USE SITES
• All Campgrounds and day use sites are not maintained in the off season.
• Be advised that there are no services, clean up or safety inspections provided during the off season.
• Users will need to bring their own water, toilet paper and other supplies and are responsible for cleaning up after themselves and hauling away any trash or other waste they generate. PACK IT IN – PACK IT OUT!!!!
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