 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.
2008 WINTER RECREATION REPORT:
Last Updated April 15, 2008
Snow depths at Salt Creek Summit Sno-Park (6100 feet elevation) are now at five feet and more.. Don't let Spring arrive before you have had a chance to do some sledding, backcountry skiing and snow-shoeing. The Nordic Ski Club have maintained some trails and installed new blue diamond markers. A few snowmobile routes have been groomed lately. Trails will only be groomed once per week due to high costs for groomer fuel. See information below and call us for more details.
AVALANCHE DANGER IS HIGH....GO PREPARED WITH PROPER EQUIPMENT!
 GENERAL RECREATION INFORMATION
The Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center and Offices is the headquarters for the Eagle Cap Ranger District, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area , and Wallowa Valley Ranger District. It is located on the north end of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest . Access to this area includes State Highway 82 east of La Grande, Oregon and State Highway 3 (south of Lewiston , Idaho ).
The north end has over 175 miles of designated snowmobile trails and approximately 20 miles of designated cross-country ski trails. The majority of the groomed trails are centered out of Salt Creek Summit Sno-Park with one of the main snowmobile routes (FS Rd 39) connecting to Pine Ranger District (south end of Wallowa-Whitman National Forest). This area offers open forest suitable for sledding, snowboarding, snow-shoeing, and other winter recreation activities.
VEHICLE ACCESS AND SNOWPLOWING ACTIVITY
Plowed County & Forest Roads |
Plowed to |
Parking at |
Notes |
Forest Rd. 39 |
Salt Creek Sno-Park |
At turnouts along Forest Rd. 39 and at SnoPark |
Forest Rd. 39 jct. is 8 miles east of Joseph on State Hwy. 350 (Imnaha Hwy ) |
Tucker Down County Rd. 633 |
Ferguson Ridge Ski Area & Sno-Park |
At turnouts along road and Ferguson Ridge Ski Area & Sno-Park |
County Rd. 633 is 4 miles east of Joseph on State Hwy. 350 ( Imnaha Hwy ) |
SNO-PARKS
Sno-Parking area parking lots and adjacent parking areas at the end of the plowed road serve the ski area users and other winter recreationists. Sno-Park permits are required to park vehicles and trailers in these areas from December 1 through April 30. Sno-Park permit sales are used to fund plowing of the Sno-Parks. Failure to display a permit in the windshield while parked in a Sno-park can result in a citation and fine. If you are from Idaho, California or Washington and have a current and valid Sno-Park permit to use from your residence state, they will be honored in Oregon.
Sno-Park |
Location |
Comments |
Salt Creek Sno-Park |
20 miles southeast of Joseph, Or Forest Rd 3900. |
The site has parking space for approximately 55 vehicles with trailers. |
| Ferguson Ridge Sno-Park |
7.5 miles southeast of Joseph, Or on Tucker Down Rd #633 |
The site has parking space for approximately 6-8 vehicles |
A Day or seasonal Sno-Park permit may be purchased from one of the following businesses:
Oregon Dept. of Motor Vehicles, Enterprise , Oregon (541) 426-4024
Monday – Friday 10:00 am - 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm – 5 pm
Outlaw Motor Sports, Enterprise , OR 97828 (541) 426-3491 w
Monday – Friday 8:00 am-5:30 pm & Saturday 8:00 am-12:00 pm
Sports Corral, Joseph , Oregon (541) 432-4363
Monday – Saturday 8:30 am – 5:30 a.m.
SNOWMOBILE ROUTES
Snowmobile trails on the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and Wallowa Valley Ranger District are groomed by the Wallowa County Gamblers Snowmobile Club per Memorandum of Understanding with the Forest Service. Motorized vehicle traffic is prohibited in areas posted as designated snowmobile routes . Wilderness areas are closed to snowmobiles & other motorized use .
TRAIL NAME |
TRAIL # |
TERMINI |
MILES |
GROOMED |
Mtn. Loop |
3900 |
Salt Cr. to Jct. of FS Rd. 6600 |
30.0 |
2-15-2008 |
Divide |
3915 |
|
6.0 |
NO |
Duck Lake/Fish Lake |
6600 |
|
12.0 |
1- 04-2008 |
Haas Owl Loop |
2025 |
|
8.0 |
1-16-2008 |
Harl Butte |
3930 |
|
15.0 |
1- 11-2008 |
Jaynes Ridge |
3965 |
|
10.0 |
1-11/partial |
Lick Creek |
023 |
|
4.0 |
2-27-2008 |
Lick Cr/Coverdale |
3925 |
|
9.2 |
2-27-2008 |
Target Springs |
3905 |
|
5.0 |
NO |
Wayside #3950 Loop |
3950 |
Salt Creek to Coverdale via 39 Rd, Wayside #3950 |
|
2-27-2008 |
Tenderfoot |
100 Rd |
|
1.5 |
2-27-2008 |
Indian Crossing |
3960 |
|
9.0 |
2-15-2008 |
200 Rd. Loop |
200 Rd. |
|
10.0 |
2-27-2008 |
Dry Cr. |
3962 |
|
6.0 |
2-29-2008 |
Hells Canyon O.L. |
3965 |
|
9.0 |
2-29-2008 |
Upper Imnaha (Fish Weir) |
|
|
7.0 |
NO |
Doe Cr. #3980 |
|
|
8.0 |
NO |
NORDIC SKI TRAILS
TRAIL NAME |
TRAIL NO. |
DESCRIPTIONS |
DIFFICULTY |
MILES |
Summit Loop Trail |
#1644 |
A flat, easy ½ hour ski loop suited for beginners. It has several gentle hills and passes through open meadows with stands of both live and burned trees |
Easiest |
1.3 - signed |
Mtn. View Loop |
#1646 |
Access is from the east end of the Divide Loop. You should allow 3 to 4 hours time to ski round trip from the Sno-Park. This trail has several steep hills on the north and west sides of the loop and may be skied in either direction. The east half of the loop is a flat ridgetop through open meadows with views of Wing ridge in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. |
More Difficult |
2.9 - signed |
Divide Loop Trail |
#1645 |
An extension of the Summit Loop, you should allow 1 to 1.5 hours round trip from the parking lot. Skiing the loop clockwise is recommended to enjoy a steep descent on the west side, just north of the junction with the Summit Loop. There is a gradual ascent on the north end of the loop, and the remainder is on a flat ridge top. The trail passes through many open meadows and some burned areas. |
More Difficult |
1.7 - signed |
Devils View Loop |
#1652
|
1.5 hours to ski this intermediate loop. Excellent views of the Seven Devils Mountains to the east |
More Difficult
|
1.8 - signed |
Wagon Road Trail
|
#1819 |
This is a 1.5 – 2 hour ski one way to the junction of the big Sheep Cutoff Trail with many nice views of the Seven Devils Mtns. This trail winds along the lower slopes of Wing Ridge with several gradual ascents while traveling south |
More Difficult
|
4.1 - signed |
Big Sheep Cutoff |
#1819A |
A challenging set of switchbacks negotiates 2200 feet of elevation change |
Most Difficult |
0.5 - signed |
Comments : Nordic ski trails are marked but not groomed . Up-to-date Nordic trail and snowmobile information is available at the Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center (426-5546). PLEASE remember grooming and trail conditions can change rapidly according to the weather.
Local Club Contacts:
Wallowa County Gamblers
Gary Bethscheider, President, (541) 432-6853 or (541) 263-0304
Dan Thompson, Vice President, (541) 432-0912
Eagle Cap Nordic Club
Ken Bronec, President, (541) 432-3281
WINTER ACTIVITY – OUTFITTER AND GUIDES
Wallowa Alpine Huts
c/o Connelly Brown
PO Box 762
Joseph , OR 97846
Telephone: (541) 432-4887
1-800-545-5537
Website: http://www.wallowahuts.com |
Wing Ridge Ski Tours
c/o "Whip" Whipple
PO Box 714
Joseph , OR 97846
Telephone: (541) 426-4322
Website: http://www.wingski.com/
|
The above outfitter and guides are equal opportunity service providers operating under special use permit administered by the USDA – Forest Service, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest :
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!!!!
Enjoy your Winter Outdoor Activities… BE PREPARED BY:
• Checking the weather forecast.
• Checking your vehicle for fuel and operation.
• Letting someone know your timetable; and primary and alternate routes.
• Taking along communication devices (like a cell phone or two-way radios).
• Dressing appropriately in warm, water proof clothing.
• Carrying a Winter Storm Survival Kit.
• Watching out for un-maintained and unsafe trail conditions. Areas of caution include: slides, logs and blowdown trees across trails, icy or melted sections, and avalanches. |
