Eagle Cap Wilderness (recent pics added)

[theleo]

Not necessarily hunting related, but wondering if any of you have played around in there so far this summer? If there's certain trails that are treed in any worse than others? I'm probably going to take a weekend and go into Tombstone but if that trail is clear I might have to decide on another spot to go.

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[vandeman17]

Tagging for hopefully future pictures. I love the caps!

[kselkhunter]

Haven't been this year but please post photos.  I always loved the Eagle Caps. 

[theleo]

Haven't been this year but please post photos.  I always loved the Eagle Caps.

There's some Wallowas photos in the mix.

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[Cab]

WOW gorgeous country!

[kselkhunter]

I love that wilderness.  Thanks for the photos.   Going to have to get back in there for elk some year.   

[Shawn Ryan]

Have not been there this year, but photos...

[KopperBuck]

Where you coming in from? We went to Wonker Pass the other weekend out of W Eagle. Trail is good all the way to the cut off to Elk Cr trail. I've never been on the Elk Cr section to climb up and over, and frankly I'm not sure I will. Looks and sounds steep. I haven't been to Tombstone or Diamond yet, but if it were me I'd maybe go in from Buck Cr.

If you do, are you planning on trying to fish? The fishing was down right terrible this year at Echo, Traverse, and another spot. I think it froze especially hard and killed a bunch. Usually it's lights out for us.

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[KopperBuck]

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[Doublelunger]

The wife was in there this weekend. More snow than usual this time of year, duh. they made it to the top of Eagle Cap despite a fairly large snow field. The picture is of Glacier Lake probably 70% covered in snow. this was Friday the 28th of July. We got a horse trip planned up the Minam this weekend then in a few more weeks we'll be making a loop past Steamboat and Chimney Lakes. This link might help too.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wallowa-whitman/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5317834

You can also call the Wallowa Mtns visitor center: 541-426-5546

[Odell]

God's country!

I don't envy the work and money that goes into keeping stock but I sure envy the results! Man it would be fun to go in there on pack horses. I miss Oregon.

[spin05]

We went in bout 10 years ago for elk.  Cool place forsure. We went up i think imnaha side

[theleo]

The wife was in there this weekend. More snow than usual this time of year, duh. they made it to the top of Eagle Cap despite a fairly large snow field. The picture is of Glacier Lake probably 70% covered in snow. this was Friday the 28th of July. We got a horse trip planned up the Minam this weekend then in a few more weeks we'll be making a loop past Steamboat and Chimney Lakes. This link might help too.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wallowa-whitman/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5317834

You can also call the Wallowa Mtns visitor center: 541-426-5546

How did your trip up the Minam go? I'm considering as a backup: starting at Moss Springs, going to Red's, then heading up river till Rock Creek, then back to Moss Springs via the Lackey's Hole. If the trail is plugged up I might just go that way.

[theleo]

Where you coming in from? We went to Wonker Pass the other weekend out of W Eagle. Trail is good all the way to the cut off to Elk Cr trail. I've never been on the Elk Cr section to climb up and over, and frankly I'm not sure I will. Looks and sounds steep. I haven't been to Tombstone or Diamond yet, but if it were me I'd maybe go in from Buck Cr.

If you do, are you planning on trying to fish? The fishing was down right terrible this year at Echo, Traverse, and another spot. I think it froze especially hard and killed a bunch. Usually it's lights out for us.

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I'm not doing any fishing, being out of state it just isn't worth it for me unless I'm staying at the Splash Dam. I've always accessed Diamond and Tombstone via Buck Cr. trailhead and going over Burger Pass. The trail isn't as bad as what you deal with going up to Echo. For accessing that end of the Minam, Buck Creek is a nice starting point. I know the FS did open the road Squaw Creek so the bridge crew could get to the Buck creek bridge easier.

As a kid Diamond and Tombstone were a long day ride for us, not knowing what the trail is like and cutting as I go, I'm figuring on just making to the lakes and staying the night. I'll pack up and head back out the next morning. If it's easier than I plan I might cut down Elk Creek to where it meets the Minam. Might go look at the old bridge abutments where the Trail Creek trail came across the river, that canyon roared when that bridge came out. 

[theleo]

Exercised the mules yesterday via the Art Garret and LP trails.

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