Eagle Cap (Aug 25-28, 2014)

[Jim57]

August 25th thru 28th. Jim57 and Petr in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Two Pan Trailhead thru the East Lostine, Summit Eagle Cap, and back thru the West Lostine. Our first time to the Wallowas. I have seen lots of pictures, but the view from really standing on top of Eagle Cap Mountain . . . fills me with lots of emotion. Awesome, inspiring, humbling . . . After all the planning that goes into a multiday hike a person has a lot of expections of what they'll be seeing. Then the actual trip happens and gives us so much more. Joyful indeed! I'm still bringing too much food. Some small animals can open zippers for food. And a hyperextended knee doesn't always need surgery.

Bought a great topo map for the trip $6 from the USDA Forest Service National Forest Map Store - Eagle Cap Ranger District

http://www.nationalforestmapstore.com/p ... /or-89.htm

[texasbb]

I did that same loop a couple weeks ago with a small group. It's a great route for a Wallowas first-timer. I've never made it over to Blue Lake but it's one of many on my to-do list.

Thanks for sharing!

[Aimless]

Our first time to the Wallowas.

Now that the Wallowas have their hooks in you, I predict you will go back there again. Hiking there is like eating potato chips, you always want another one.

[Splintercat]

Thanks, Jim -- nice report and introspections! Great to read!

Tom

[woodswalker]

The Wallowas, my latest obsession. Thanks for posting these pics. I've just seen the south side mostly. How were the bugs.
woodswalker

[Jim57]

Just a couple of mosquito and dreaded fly bites.

[woodswalker]

Just a couple of mosquito and dreaded fly bites.

thanks, Woodswalker

[jalepeno]

What a difference a couple days make!
I was on the E. fork of the Lostine, August 21-23.
We left because of bad weather: thunderstorms, hail, rain and cold.
On Saturday, Aug. 24th we were up at the Lakes Basin and had it completely to ourselves.
Eagle Cap was hidden in fog.
All the horse packers had given up and left early that morning.
On Sunday morning as we departed, we saw one pack string coming in and two hikers.
I'm glad the weather cleared it out for you, but I will have to go back.

[Jim57]

I talked to a forest ranger at Mirror Lake. She said there were 3 inches of hail in some places while you were there. So lucky I missed it all. Definately going back. Soon as my knee heals up after a nasty hyperextension a mile and a half from the trail head on the way out. So many hikes left to do this year.

[K.Wagner]

Thanks for the TR. We have been talking about the possibility of a Wallowas trip next year. Do you know what your approximate distance and EG was (not counting side trips, summits, etc)?