Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

General discussions on hiking in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
cfm
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Re: Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

Post by cfm » February 8th, 2012, 3:14 pm

I agree with Jerry(and I think the same is true for anywhere in the PNW)- you can't go wrong!

If you really want solitude, try the Cornucopia Peak area. You also get an interesting old mining town and some artifacts strewn about. Red Mountain, just north of Cornucopia Peak provides a striking contrast to all the granite. Pine Lakes is 7 miles in from Cornucopia, and make a great central camp area to explore several loop options from there.

I'll second JP's nomination of Eagle Creek Meadows. I went with a group up that trail to Cached Lake and we climbed Needlepoint Peak the next day. Views from the top were incredible!

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pyles_94
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Re: Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

Post by pyles_94 » February 8th, 2012, 4:47 pm

This is a great thread! Thanks for all the replies.

So far Dollar lake/polaris pass area is winning for me! But lets see some more!

This is a snapshot of someone else's photo from copper creek, and it's location on the map.
Screen Shot 2012-02-08 at 4.40.08 PM.png
copper crick basin
Screen Shot 2012-02-08 at 4.43.17 PM.jpg

Anyone been to hurricane ridge? This overlook of billy jones lake is starting to intrigue me!
Screen Shot 2012-02-08 at 4.48.39 PM.jpg
Jamey Pyles

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Sore Feet
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Re: Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

Post by Sore Feet » February 8th, 2012, 10:41 pm

I've been eyeballing the Wallowas for quite a while as well. Don't know if I'll get down there this year or not - I'd like to - but the first target on my hit list for that area is a modified Lostine / Wallowa River loop. Basically up the Lostine River to Mirror Lake, maybe poke around Glacier Lake for a day, then cut north along the ridges to Ice Lake and out to Wallowa Lake. This would necessitate two cars, but the scenery looks hard to beat and it allows for visiting all of the big waterfalls below Ice Lake (all of which look pretty damn impressive - especially the 400 footer).

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drm
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Re: Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

Post by drm » February 9th, 2012, 7:35 am

Yes, that is the Copper Creek meadow I was thinking of. Here is a view of it a little earlier and greener in the season. This was taken in late July, 2007.
wal 065.jpg
Copper Creek meadow

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funhog
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Re: Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

Post by funhog » February 9th, 2012, 8:33 pm

I love the trip we did in the beginning of August, 2007.
EagleCap.jpg
We walked up the east fork of the Lostine River and back down the west fork. We spent a night along Copper Creek,
1CopperCreek.jpg
where we enjoyed a 34 degree night. It was cold at night but filled with flowers and butterflies during the day.
1Flutterby.jpg
1Flutterby.jpg (56.56 KiB) Viewed 3049 times
My favorite spot was the secret off trail campsite, complete with dining room furniture,
GraniteTable.jpg
not far from Sunshine Lake where we spent three nights.

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romann
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Re: Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

Post by romann » February 9th, 2012, 10:06 pm

I'll second East Fork Lostine River - you walk by alpine meadows for 3+ miles with near-constant view of Eagle Peak. May add another 1.5mi of meadows if you locate an abandoned (muddy) trail that continues along Lostine after bridged crossing (rather than following forested new section of the trail). That area is deservedly popular.

Image

Image

Cannot go wrong with Mirror Lake
Image

I haven't been to other parts of Wallowas yet - plan to make it up this year :)

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ErinL
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Re: Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

Post by ErinL » February 12th, 2012, 11:17 am

I'm echoing those suggesting East or West Fork Lostine trails to Mirror Lake.

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weekend_warrior
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Re: Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

Post by weekend_warrior » February 12th, 2012, 1:20 pm

another vote for Dollar Lake/Polaris pass. The basins up there are amazing, and the views from the ridge tops, Pete's Point, Aneroid Mt., etc. are top notch

Image
Dollar Lake

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pyles_94
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Re: Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

Post by pyles_94 » February 12th, 2012, 4:59 pm

Oh man, what great photos on here! That last one is definitely something I would be interested in shooting.
Jamey Pyles

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llamero
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Re: Favorite scenic spot in the Wallowas

Post by llamero » February 13th, 2012, 1:08 pm

funhog wrote:I love the trip we did in the beginning of August, 2007. My favorite spot was the secret off trail campsite, complete with dining room furniture,
The attachment GraniteTable.jpg is no longer available
not far from Sunshine Lake where we spent three nights.
Funhog I've stood in that same place. It is a beautiful area.
IMG_4783.JPG

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