August Part 1 - Eagle Cap Wilderness
For the second year in a row I took the last two weeks of August off. I hope I can continue to make this an annual tradition since we all deserve meaningful time off from work.
I've been wanting to go to the Wallowas/Eagle Cap Wilderness for years. There was too much wildfire smoke last year but this year the weather and smoke mostly cooperated.
I did the 5 1/2 hour drive to Joseph and spent the first night at Wallowa Lake. Pretty much what you'd expect from a state park campground but the lake is pretty and it's very close to the trailhead.
On Day 1 I hiked from the Little Alps trailhead to Ice Lake. The trail follows the West Fork of the Wallowa River before crossing it to head up into the mountains. Ice Lake is stunning and there was a family of mountain goats wandering around!
Day 2 - Ice Lake to 6 Mile Meadow
Ice Lake is somewhat isolated from the rest of the area so I hiked back down to the Wallowa River trail on to 6 Mile Meadow. Great views of the mountains there and tons of lovely campsites. It was a somewhat short day of hiking so I got to spend a lot of time bird watching and seeing the light change on the mountains as the sun slowly set
Day 3 - 6 Mile Meadow to Mirror Lake
Lots of climbing but the trail is very nice and the views are stunning as you climb. Mirror Lake is in the lakes basin, probably the most visited part of the Wallowas. It is stunning but not the place to go if you want solitude. There are plenty of camping options a little ways from the lakes that are quiet and secluded.
Day 4 - Eagle Cap Summit
My first summit and highest point I've ever hiked to - 9,544 ft! There's a fairly well maintained trail all the way to the top and the views are just stunning. I decided to bring my hiking umbrella and was so glad I did. It was hot and there was almost no shade for the entire hike.
Day 5 - Mirror Lake to 6 Mile Meadow via Glacier Pass
I wasn't sure about taking the long way back to the trailhead but after talking to someone that hiked in via Glacier Pass, I decided to go for it. I always appreciate trail intel from fellow hikers. The climb up Glacier Pass wasn't too bad and then it was almost nothing but descending - going past Glacier and Frazier lakes and eventually reaching the source of the North Fork of the Wallow and following it back to the meadow. This would be a pretty challenging hike in the other direction with tons of exposed climbing. I met someone that ran from the trailhead to the Eagle Cap Summit and back in one day which is so wildly impressive to me.
I was almost to the meadow when I saw a family of Spruce Grouse. The Wallowas are the only place in Oregon to see them and I can't believe I got to see a bunch of them! They're surprisingly unafraid of humans and wandered around looking for food and in once case, standing on a log - si I was able to get a decent picture with my phone.
I love spending another night at the camped at the meadow. On a Sunday, it was very busy with lots of other groups spending the night before hiking out in the morning.
Day 6 - 6 Mile Meadow to Little Alps Trailhead
A nice morning hike back out to the trailhead.
My plan was to spend a few more days exploring but when I got back to Joseph it was almost 100 degrees and the wildfire smoke was really terrible. I absolutely loved the Wallowas and can't wait to go back and explore some of the quieter areas! The lake At six days, this was the longest I've spent backpacking and my longest solo back country trip to date. My plan was to spend a few more days exploring but when I got back to Joseph it was almost 100 degrees and the wildfire smoke was really terrible. Another reason to get back out there soon.
