East Eagle Creek Trail
The East Eagle Creek Trail is through a U-shaped glaciated valley, beneath colorful alpine peaks.

Hike Rating: Easy
Hike Length: 8.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 750’
Trailhead Elevation: 4,630’
Best Season: June through September,
   after Spring runoff has subsided
Driving Access: Any vehicle


Plus Points
• A hike through a U-shaped glaciated valley into the heart of the Wallowa Mountains
• The trail is entirely within the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area and is cow-free
• Outstanding views of the dramatic, multi-colored rock cliffs rising 3,000' above trail
• Alternating fir forests and open grassy snow avalanche chutes along the route
• Spring wildflowers include coneflower, red paintbrush, blue mint and purple asters
• The well-built trail is within sight or sound of rushing East Eagle Creek throughout

Minus Points
• The trail is well-used, but solitude can be found at the destination meadows
• The trail fords a few tributary streams that can be hazardous during Spring runoff

Download (PDF, 656 KB): Photos of East Eagle Creek Trail
Download (PDF, 886 KB): Topo Map for East Eagle Creek Trail
Download (PDF, 820 KB): Road Map for East Eagle Creek Trail


Trail Notes
Map of the East Eagle Creek Trail
Near the trailhead bulletin board at the end of Road 7745, the trail begins on a signed jeep road leading northwest down into the floodplain of East Eagle Creek. At 0.3 miles, just before an abandoned steel road bridge across the creek, the trail leaves the jeep road and climbs east up into the forest flanking the creek. For the next mile, the trail ascends gradually through thick fir forests, past the Wilderness boundary, with occasional views west of the creek and the massive, 2,500' vertical face of the white Granite Cliffs (which are actually marble).

At 1.5 miles, the trail crosses "The Box," the first of many snow avalanche chutes, giving great views of the "two color" white limestone and red metamorphic ridges on the western skyline. Though completely dry by late Summer, the streams in these avalanche chutes can be tricky to ford during Spring snowmelt. The Curtis Creek ford at 2.8 miles is the largest stream crossing and one should be extra careful at this ford early in the season.

Just past Curtis Creek, the trail contours above Corkscrew Falls, where East Eagle Creek twists through a corkscrew slot in the bedrock, emerging sideways in a fantail of spray. From here, one also has the first views up canyon to Eagle Cap and Glacier Peaks in the north. Past Corkscrew Falls, the snow avalanche chutes become much more numerous and the trail is mostly over open outwash plains, through dry meadows with coneflower, paintbrush, aster and stunted aspen trees. By this point, the views of the high alpine ridges all around are almost continuous and definitely spectacular.

One can follow the East Eagle Creek Trail for miles, under the alpine peaks rising 3,000' above.
At 3.8 miles, the trail crosses the outwash plain of Snow Creek and then descends into a flat grassy meadow with huge cottonwood trees. For the next 200 yards, one can explore along the banks of East Eagle Creek to look for a secluded and shady lunch spot. The stream through this broad meadow can make a good hike destination — but if one is feeling more energetic, the trail continues north on the east side of the creek for several more miles, with more great views of the alpine peaks 3,000' overhead.

Road to Trailhead
On Forest Road 77, about 5.6 miles east of the Tamarack Campground, turn north on Road 7745 and drive 5.4 miles to the equestrian trailhead. Don't stop here, but drive 0.7 miles further to the hiking trailhead at the end of the road. Take care driving through the ford of Little Kettle Creek about 0.3 miles before the trailhead — the water can be high in early summer, but still passable by normal clearance vehicles. A self-issued Wilderness Permit is required at the trailhead.

Camping Options
There are numerous dispersed camping sites along Road 7745, within the last two miles before the trailhead. These are mostly pull-off sites on both sides of the road, some into the forest and some along East Eagle Creek. These sites are suitable for tents or even large travel trailers, but campers must be self-contained with their own water and sanitation. Be aware that much of the land along the first 4 miles of Road 7745 is privately owned.

The Tamarack Campground is well-developed, with drinking water and a camp host in summer.
The nearest developed campground is the Tamarack Campground, about 12 driving miles southeast from the trailhead on Road 77. This is a shady, forested site on a bench above Eagle Creek, with 12 numbered campsites that are suitable for tents or camping trailers. Each site is clearly-defined and has a picnic table and fire ring. There's a vault toilet, drinking water and a camp host throughout the summer. The camping fees were $6.00 per night in 2014.


Agency Contact: Wallowa-Whitman Natl. Forest, Pine Ranger District, (541) 742-7511

DISCLAIMER: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, but the authors do not guarantee that it is either current or correct. The reader assumes full responsibility for any use of this information, and is encouraged to contact local public land agencies to inquire about current conditions before traveling.

Page last updated: 12/10/14