Eagle Cap Wilderness

 

Overview

The Eagle Cap Wilderness lies in the heart of the Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon on the Wallowa -Whitman National Forest. This country was first occupied by the ancestors of the Nez Perce Indian Tribe in 1400 A.D. and later the Cayuse, the Shoshone and Bannocks. The Eagle Cap Wilderness itself was used as hunting grounds for bighorn sheep and deer and to gather huckleberries. It was the summer home to the Joseph Band of the Nez Perce tribe. 1860 marked the year the first settlers moved into the Wallowa Valley.

 

 

In 1930, the Eagle Cap was established as a primitive area. It was designated as wilderness in 1940. The Wilderness Act of 1964 placed the area in the National Wilderness Preservation System. It was enlarged by 73,410 acres in 1972, and by 67,711 acres in 1984 and now totals 359,991 acres of Wilderness.

The Eagle Cap Wilderness is characterized by high alpine lakes and meadows, bare granite peaks and ridges, and U-shaped glaciated valleys. One is constantly reminded that nature operates on her own terms with her own rhythms that may not match our structural lives. Each season comes and goes bringing with it new challenges and adventures. We truly hope you will find these experiences here and carry with you a memory that will last a life time. These memories can only be left to future generations when we all take part in an effort to respect and care for wilderness. Doing your part is vital to the future of Eagle Cap. Please plan your trip carefully, know the current regulations and seek specific information from the Forest and districts.

Recreation Opportunities

Hikers and horseback riders can choose from approximately 535 miles of trails in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Trailheads are located on all sides of the wilderness, with access from the counties of Wallowa, Union, and Baker. Upon entrance to the wilderness visitors are taken back to a time when travel was without automobiles, bicycles and before the luxury of mechanized equipment.

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. 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 through 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: Minam, Blue, Upper, Mirror, Sunshine, Moccasin, Glacier, Prospect, Pocket, Frazier, Little Frazier, Douglas, Crescent, Craig, Lee, Lilly, Razz, Horseshoe, Unit, and Ice.)
• East Fork Wallowa
• West Fork Wallowa
• Hurricane Creek
• East Fork Lostine
• West Fork Lostine

Permits and Passes

A Northwest Forest Pass is necessary for parking at some Eagle Cap Wilderness Trailheads. Day passes can be obtained at the fee trailheads. Day and season long passes can be obtained from several local businesses and Forest Service Offices. You will need to have a valid day pass or season pass for each day your vehicles is parked at the fee trailhead -even if you intend to stay for several days in the backcountry.

All wilderness visitors to the Eagle Cap Wilderness must also obtain a Wilderness Visitor Permit before entering the area. Only one permit is required per group and there is no fee for the permits. The self issue Registration/Permit boxes are located at each trailhead near the information board. Place the trailhead copy of the permit in the registration box and carry the visitor portion with you while in the wilderness. It is helpful to have the permit tied to a backpack or saddlebags where Wilderness Rangers can see them.

Main Access Points

Major Trailheads from the Enterprise, Oregon side

Two Pan Trailhead (Trail #1670 and #1672)
Bowman-Francis Lake Trailhead (Trail #1651 and #1663)
Maxwell Lake Trailhead (Trail #1674)
Hurricane Creek Trailhead (Trail #1884)
Wallowa Lake Trailhead (Trail #1820 and #1804)
Tenderfoot/Big Sheep Creek Trailhead (Trail #1819)
Indian Crossing Trailhead (Trail #1816)

Major Trailheads from the La Grande, Oregon side

Moss Springs Trailhead (Trail #1942 and #1908)
North Fork Catherine Creek Trailhead (Trail #1905)
West Eagle Meadows Trailhead (Trail #1934)

Major Trailheads from the Halfway, Oregon side

Main Eagle Trailhead (Trail #1922)
East Eagle Trailhead (Trail #1910)
Cornucopia Trailhead (Trail #1865)
Twin Lakes Trailhead (Trail #1874)
Summit Point Trailhead (Trail #1885)

Location

The Eagle Cap Wilderness lies five miles southwest of Enterprise and Joseph, Oregon; 25 miles east of La Grande, Oregon; and 20 miles north of Halfway, Oregon. 

More Information

Current information about the area's recreation sites or trail conditions can be found by contacting the Eagle Cap Wilderness Office located in the Wallowa Mountains Office, in Joseph, Oregon, or checking the Recreation Condition Reports. For more information including a map of the area, fact sheet and a copy of the 1964 and Wilderness Act or the 1984 Oregon Wilderness Act visit  wilderness.net.