Not a Local

[jhiker001]

Hi, I’m not from Oregon, but I’ve been there once before. I’m from PA. Last year I stepped into the eastern side of Oregon by dipping into the Snively Hot Spring after a fantastic backpacking trip in the Sawtooths of Idaho. But anyway, I wanted to join this site because I’m going on a backpacking trip this summer to Eagle Cap Wilderness and was hoping to gain some insightful knowledge before heading there. Thanks!

[texasbb]

Howdy, 001, and welcome from a misplaced Texan who's now a Washingtonian, but hikes Oregon a bit. You'll love Eagle Cap, hard to go wrong there. Do you have an idea of your itinerary?

[jhiker001]

I do, Tex. We plan to start at Two Pan Trailhead and hike into the Lake Basin area. We want to spend 3 nights there, spending each night at a different lake, as well as hiking up Eagle Cap. I also plan want to do some fishing up there. Then we'll spend our last night at Minam Lake, and head back out to the trailhead. Have you been in that area?

[texasbb]

Yes, I'm pretty familiar with that area. The Lakes Basin can be crowded at times (though "crowded" is relative...the Wallowas don't get near the traffic as some places). I think Two Pan is the best starting point if you just want to enjoy the Basin, and I think you're doing it right taking the East Fork Lostine on the way in and the West Fork out. The views to Eagle Cap along the three-mile wet meadow on the East Fork are marvelous. I did that same route a few years ago (just two nights); you can see here if interested. A couple of other trips that went through the Lakes Basin here and here.

Eagle Cap is definitely worth the fairly easy walk-up. I think Glacier Lake is one of the prettiest up there, so I'd recommend doing a night there. The view to it coming down from Glacier Pass is nice. Among the other lakes, I don't recommend Horseshoe because its camp spots are so overused they're basically covered with two inches of "flour," but I do see a lot of fishermen there, so maybe it's worth it. Crescent, Lee, and Douglas are nice if you want a little more solitude (but no Eagle Cap views).

Bugs can be bad in the early season (July, early August), and there are occasional thunderstorms to dodge, but it's a beautiful place. I know you'll enjoy it.

[jhiker001]

Thanks, Tex. I looked at many of your pics and now I'm even more excited to hike there than before (and trust me, I was pretty excited). I think Glacier Lake will definitely be one of our campsites. We're going at the end of July so hopefully most of the snow will have melted. And if the bugs are bad, it sure wouldn't be the first time. Thanks for the info!