Wallowas/Eagle Cap Wilderness Backpack

Activity Notes

This is an ambitious and tough lollipop loop entering the Eagle Cap Wilderness from the Southwest.

We will  leave Portland at 1PM on Sunday, August 4th  and carpool to the West Eagle Creek Campground, a walk-in campground on the southwestern edge of the Eagle Cap Wilderness. 

The drive is about 5 1/2 hours.

For the next 6 days, we will hike between 7 and 14 miles, and between 1000’ and 3600’ of elevation gain. We will camp each night at a lake (no campfires;  campsite must be at least 100’ from the water).

Our “layover” day we will have the option to hike to the summit of Eagle Cap (9562’), an 11 mile hike with 4000” of total elevation gain. Folks who aren’t interested in the summit may explore the famous Lakes Basin nearby, or take a shorter hike up to scenic Blue Lake.

Total mileage and elev. gain for the backpack is approx. 48 miles and 11,000'+.

With the optional hike to Eagle Cap's summit, mileage and elev. gain is 58 miles and 15,000'+.

We will return to Portland late on the afternoon of August 10th.

See the draft prospectus linked HERE for a daily itinerary, travel and camping plans, emergency contact information, and an equipment list.

Applicants for this hike should be in top backpacking shape, as this trip contains multiple days where we will be hiking more than 10 miles/day and gaining more than 3000’ of elevation. Including the optional layover day hike to the summit of Eagle Cap Mountain, there are four roughly 3000’ elevation days.

In considering applications for this backpack, members will be preferred over non-members, and members who contribute their time as a volunteer to Mazamas will be preferred most of all.