I Heart Pacific Northwest

August 16, 2015

backpack: Wallowas – Lakes Basin + Lostine Meadows

FIVE DAY BACKPACKING TRIP

Location: Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa Mountains, Eastern Oregon
Distance to Mirror Lake: 7.5 miles, 2,000 ft gain (one way)

We started the trip at the Two Pan Trailhead and took the East Fork Lostine River Trail to Lostine Meadows. We hiked in about four miles and spent the first night camped in the meadows. The East Fork of the Lostine River runs through the meadow, making it easy to filter water from camp. The next day, we hiked in to Mirror Lake, just below Eagle Cap. The area is full of white granite in shelves, walls, and large rocks scattered around the landscape mixed with evergreens. We camped next to Mirror Lake for two nights, and did the Lakes Basin day hike on the second day. There was smoke from nearby wildfires each afternoon, usually blowing out by dark. At night, we were able to see a sky full of stars, including the Perseid meteor showers and the full Milky Way. We returned to the meadows for our last night before hiking out on the fifth day.

The Lakes Basin in the Wallowas is the most stunning mountain scenery that I’ve ever experienced, and I hope to come back often.