Suggestions: Joseph, Oregon
Forks of Wallowa
The East and West Fork Wallowa trails are the two of the most popular trails for visitors to the Eagle Cap Wilderness, offering fantastic views of craggy mountains, streams, and Wallowa Lake from well maintained paths. Many hikers head to the Lakes Basin, often the first choice destination for new visitors, but overuse continues to negatively impact the area. We recommend avoiding the crowds and choosing any of several other day hikes or multi-day backpacking itineraries. Travel out and back on either trail for a nice day trip. Capable hikers can make a loop by crossing the divide via the steep and rugged Polaris pass. Access Wallowa Lake Trailhead, (the BMT terminus) at the South end of Wallowa Lake. Parking can be congested in the summer season, so pile into one vehicle or grab a shuttle from town.
Itinerary FAQs
Recreation Type - backpack, day hike, trail run
Mileage- 24 miles for full loop
Duration - 1-3 days
Physical Difficulty (0-3)- 3
Logistical Difficulty (0-3)- 1
Time of Year- July-September
Permits required- Free, self-issued Wilderness permits at the trailhead
BMT Databook Waypoints- S1001-S1005
Check Trail Conditions Here - West Fork 1820, East Fork 1804, and Polaris 1831
Conservation Connections
Eagle Cap Wilderness
why is wilderness important
Impacts of Recreation
RIMS download and ask
lakes basin
Minimum impact practices
Alpine Ecology
Inaturalist
White Bark Pine
U.S. Forest Service Offices
Eagle Cap Ranger District
Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/
Address and Phone Number: 201 E 2nd St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-426-5546
Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday
Joseph Town Map
Full Town Guides for Joseph and Enterprise
Photographs used for this page are all from Creative Commons unless otherwise noted. "Joseph, Oregon" by Sam Beebe is licensed with CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of these licenses, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.