This page gives an introduction to a region south of the Palouse area: the Eagle Cap Wilderness and Hell's Canyon. This page provides an introduction to these areas. A more complete description could easily fill an entire web site.
The Eagle Cap Wilderness is a ruggedly captivating collection of glacier-cut valleys, shimmering peaks and waterfalls, and more than 50 mountain lakes in the Wallowa Mountains of northeast Oregon. The centerpiece of the 220,416-acre preserve is 9,595-foot Egle Cap Peak, although it isn't the highest mountain within the wilderness bounderies. Sacajawea Peak and the Matterhorn, adjacent to each other on a long ridge above Hurricane Creek north of Eagle Cap, are both about 9,800 feet.
The wilderness, situated just west from the rim of Hells Canyon of the Snake River, was established in 1940. It has four main access areas. The most heavily used is the paved highway yo Wallowa Lake, south of Enterprise, Oregon, and one mile from the wilderness boundary. Other main routes are the Hurricane Creek Road, Imnaha River Road, and Lostine River Road. They lead to five main trails into the heart of the wilderness, the major portion of which is free of snow by early July. Beginning in mid-September, the area is infilterated by hunters. Fishermen will find more than 37 miles of streams and 23 lakes stocked with rainbow trout, brook trout, bull trout, cutthouts and golden trout.
Timberline in the Wallowas varies from abhout 8,500 to 9,000 feet, from which the autumn hiker can look down on a patchwork of golds and greens among the trees struggling for existence in a world full of crumbling granite, limestone, and marble.
Eagle Cap Wilderness is the premier backpacking country of Oregon. It covers 580 square miles of the Wallowa Mountains in the
northeast corner of Oregon. Anywhere you look in the Wallowas you will find absolutely breathtaking mountain scenery. There are
fifty-two named high lakes, of which nearly all have an abundance of trout just waiting to take your bait. Many miles of river
drain from the high alpine mountains through densely forested canyons. These rivers also have many trout, and several have
received National Wild River status for their 'outstandingly remarkable' characteristics. The abundance and diversity of animal
life in the Wallowa Mountains is sensational.
Fred Barstad, from the introduction
Hiking Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness (1997)
The Eagle Cap Wilderness area is one of Oregon's premier backpacking areas. It is home to over 50 high mountain lakes. It is truly a recreational paradise. There are many trails to begin your hiking adventure. The Wallowa mountains are your door to an awesome outdoor experience.
Eagle Cap Wilderness is located in northeast Oregon in the heart of the Wallowa Mountains. These glacially carved mountains contain high peaks, deep valleys, scenic lakes, and lots of hiking opportunities.
The highest point in the range is Sacajawea Peak, with an elevation of 9838 ft (2999 m). Sacajawea is the 6th tallest mountain in Oregon and the tallest mountain in Oregon outside of the Cascade Range.
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| Hurricane Creek Trail |
Due to the steepness of its lower canyon and its middle meadow basins, Hurricane Creek presents perhaps the most continuous and spectacular views of any Eagle Cap drainage. Sacajawea Peak, Hurricane and Hurwal divides, the Matterhorn, and the exciting, changeable waters of Hurricane Creek urge hikers onward. A gorge-contained serial falls on Hurricane Creek and the continuous waterfall of Slick Rock Creek further win over visitors. As a gateway to the Wallowa Lakes Basin, this creek trail has all the requirements of a first-rate tour.
The Hurricane Creek trail is a major access point for hikers and horses into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The trailhead has a stock ramp and outhouse facilities. This trail provides access to the Lakes Basin trails. View massive granite and limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and an abundance of wildflowers along the trail. Gradually climb across subalpine meadows alternating with timbered areas. This route will provide you with panoramic views of Sacajawea, Matterhorn and Eagle Cap Peaks. Cross-country hiking in and around the basin provides spectacular views and photographic opportunities. The trail follows the creek so water is plentiful. The Hurricane Creek trail also provides access to the Falls Creek and Echo/Billy Jones Lakes trails. The trail that takes you to Falls Creek is an easy side hike. Fishing is good in most lakes. You may see mountain goats, bighorn sheep, deer, elk and other smaller mammals. Camping and grazing areas are available but be sure to camp away from the lakes shore in order to protect fragile vegetation.
Due to the steepness of its lower canyon and its middle meadow basins, Hurricane Creek presents perhaps the most continuous and spectacular views of any Eagle Cap drainage. Sacajawea Peak, Hurricane and Hurwal divides, the Matterhorn, and the exciting, changeable waters of Hurricane Creek urge hikers onward. A gorge-contained serial falls on Hurricane Creek and the continuous waterfall of Slick Rock Creek further win over visitors.
The Wallowa Mountains are a mountain range located in the Columbia Plateau of northeastern Oregon in the United States. The range runs approximately 40 mi (64) northwest to southeast along in southwestern Wallowa County between the Blue Mountains to the west and the Snake River to the east. The range is sometimes considered to be an eastern spur of the Blue Mountains.
Much of the range is located in the Eagle Cap Wildnerness Area, as well as the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The range is drained by the Wallowa River, which flows in the valley along its northeastern side, as well as its tributaries, including the Minam River, which flows along the southwest side of the range.
Nice trail up Hurricane Creek drainage. Several water crossing that are pretty rocky. Views of Eagle Cap Mt and lakes basin area once up the trail about 8 miles. Fairly sandy footing first 4 miles as trail follows drainage.
In geological diversity, as well as in its animal and plant life, the Wallowa Mountains have more in common with the Rocky Mountains than with other ranges found in the Pacific Northwest. As we follow the crystal clear waters of Hurricane Creek, we'll pass beneath marble mountains, through forests of pine, spruce and fir to an idyllic mountain meadow rimmed by granite crags. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep find homes on the ridge tops while elk and mule deer inhabit the forests.
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| Maxwell Lake |
The trip to Maxwell Lake makes an excellent day hike; it's relatively short, 4 miles one-way. This hard-climbing "Jekyll and Hyde" trail (Trail 1674) travels the western wall of the Lostine River Canyon, advancing first via measured switchbacks, then breaking into a mad all-out scramble to the lake divide. Stands of larch and fir give shade and relief from the open meadows.
There's a price to pay for country this beautiful. The switchbacks of this trail go up the seemingly vertical slopes of the canyon.
The tour unites the high-walled beauty of the Lostine River drainage and the stunning waters of Maxwell Lake, cradled in a high-mountain bowl and surrounded by chiseled granite ridges, conical peaks, and sliding rock slopes. A second smaller lake beckons a short cross-country trek. In late summer, watch pikas scurry back and forth with grasses, building their winter larders.
Climbing the ridge behind Maxwell Lake affords you spectacular views of North Minam Meadows and some of the lakes and peaks in the Minam and Lostine drainages. The lakes are surrounded with granite walls and fine outcroppings of pine trees along the lakeshores. Small side streams cross the trail but may dwindle to a trickle later in the season. Be sure to carry drinking water with you.
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| Wallowa Lake |
Wallowa Lake is a perfect morainal lake, which means it was formed by a glacier. The lake is five miles long, and a mile wide, with a depth of 283 feet. As early as 1880 hotel, restaurants, and boat services even a dance hall were available at Wallowa Lake. The lake is approximately one mile from downtown Joseph and offers a trail head that takes you deep into the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. A State Park is also located at Wallowa Lake with full hook ups and tent camping.
| Elevation: | 4,441 ft. |
| Depth: | 283 ft. |
| Width: | 1 mile |
| Length: | 5 miles |
652,488 Acres of Beauty and Adventure Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge, encompasses a vast and remote region with dramatic changes in elevation, terrain, climate and vegetation. Carved by the great Snake River, Hells Canyon plunges more than a mile below Oregon's west rim, and 8,000 fee below snowcapped He Devil Peak of Idaho's Seven Devils Mountains. There are no roads across Hells Canyon's 10-mile wide expanse, and only three roads that lead to the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam and the Oregon-Washington boundary.
Hells Canyon is formed by one of the West's greatest rivers. The Snake River rises just west of the Continential Divide in Yellowstone National Park and flows south through Jackson Hole, then westward across the volcanic plains of southern Idaho before it cuts north through the Rockies to form Hells Canyon, deepest river gorge in North America.
Two thousand feet deeper than the Grand Canyon, Hells Canyon is a geographic and human marvel. You can travel with Western Hiker into the canyon and through 8000 years of human history in country long the home of the storied Nez Perce people. The 652,488 acre Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in Oregon and Idaho includes 219,000 acres of designated wilderness to preserve a wild river with world class rapids, and to protect its shores and benchlands where you can see pictographs and petroglyphs, pika, cougar, bobcat, bear, elk, deer, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep.
Cities are a very distant memory here. Few areas in the lower 48 states offer the remoteness and solitude you'll find in Hells Canyon. Only one road reaches the Snake River in a 67-mile stretch of the canyon, and it ends at the river without crossing. The only lights you'll see at night are the stars, and the only noise you'll hear will be the rush of the river heading north to join the mighty Columbia in Washington state.
For 70 miles along the Snake River between Idaho and Oregon lies Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge. Looking down upon the canyon are the mighty Seven Devils Mountains, an awe-inspiring range that crests over 1-1/2 miles above the river, making it a chasm deeper than the Grand Canyon.
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| Mountain |
You can see the canyon from several viewpoints. The best is Heaven's Gate Lookout, west of Riggins, up Forest Road #517. The road turns off Highway 95, one mile south of Riggins You can see most of the canyon as well as parts of Oregon, Washington, Montana and the great wilderness area of the Central Idaho Rockies. The 30 alpine lakes nestled among the Seven Devils provide pristine havens for hiking, backpacking and horseback riding.
Drive #2 takes you to Heavens Gate Lookout. To get there, drive one-half mile south of Riggins on Hwy 95 to the Squaw Creek Road and turn right (west). A 19-mile drive takes you to the lookout, campground facilities and the Hells Canyon Wilderness. From there see breathtaking views of the Seven Devils Mountains, Hells Canyon, and four states: Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Montana.
Looking for a view to end all views? At 8,429 feet high, Heaven's Gate marks the very top of the divide between the Snake and Salmon Rivers, the two deepest river gorges in North America. To the south tower the Seven Devils Mountains, lingering snow contrasting sharply with the dark basalt peaks. To the west the Wallowa Mountains rise above the Oregon rim. To the east the Gospel and Bitterroot Mountains are often visible above the breaks of the Salmon. And on a clear day, you can see forever-or at least as far as four different states. The trail up to Heaven's Gate is just 660 yards, but the elevation alone can leave you short of breath. The route climbs nearly 300 feet as it winds its way to the crest of the mountain through open stands of white-bark pine and subalpine fir.
Despite it's forbidding name, Hells Canyon is truly a hiker's paradise, and a uniquely wild area. Exploring Oregon's edge, we camp midway between the Snake River and the canyon's rim. In mid-June at this elevation (4500') we'll enjoy abundant wildflowers, diverse wildlife, and expansive vistas across North America's deepest gorge.
This is an excellent loop hike because each day offers fine views and each night a lake to camp by. The terrain is rugged with a good deal of elevation loss and gain. The Seven Devils create their own weather as storms sweep off Lord Flat on the Oregon side of Hells Canyon and recirculate over these pinnacled mountains.The west side is where one encounters the fiercest weather, including hailstorms. Hells Canyon is visible from points on the west side of the range. It is approximately 8,000 feet deep, measuring from the top of the Seven Devils to the canyon bottom.
This short tour twists to Heavens Gate Lookout and a spectacular four-state vista. Discover the Snake, Salmon, and Rapid River drainages, find exciting looks at IdahoÕs ghoulish Seven Devils high peak chain, and admire the Oregon Wallowas, some 50 miles distant. Eastern panoramas include Nez Perce and Payette national forests and Gospel Hump Wilderness.