East Eagle Creek | Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon

We've been wanting to get in to the Eagle Cap Wilderness for a while now. Finally we made it. We went in for 5 days and 4 nights. On this trip we'd go into Hidden Lake over Horton Pass and in to the Lakes Basin. We stayed a night at Douglas Lake and went down through Six Mile Meadow and on up to Frazier Lake. The next day we went up past Little Frazier Lake, over Hawkins Pass and over to the other side. We made a long climb up to Crater Lake for our last night of the trip. This was one of the most scenic trips I've taken. We'll be back.
QUICK LINKS
02:23 - HIDDEN LAKE JUNCTION
03:32 - MOON LAKE
04:20 - HIDDEN LAKE
06:15 - DAY 2
08:42 - HORTON PASS
09:21 - MIRROR LAKE
09:31 - MOCCASIN LAKE
09:56 - DOUGLAS LAKE
11:29 - DAY 3
12:36 - WEST FORK WALLOWA RIVER
12:46 - SIX MILE MEADOW
14:21 - FRAZIER LAKE
14:47 - MOUNTAIN GOATS
14:58 - FOX
15:21 - GET TO THE CHOPPER!
17:04 - DAY 4
17:20 - LITTLE FRAZIER LAKE
17:53 - HAWKINS PASS
20:08 - LLAMAS!
21:15 - CRATER LAKE
22:38 - DAY 5

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. I suspect I will be viewing it when they plop me down in some nursing home. Gloriously beautiful scenery!

[@mountainwanderer]

I hope so! I make these videos so when I cannot hike anymore, I can still look back on these.

[@BBQDad463]

Again, thank you for this video. Clearly, I need to get to the Eagle Cap Wilderness. This was truly memorable scenery.

[@mountainwanderer]

The Wallowas (Eagle Caps) are quickly turning into one of my favorite ranges!

[@jenb.6440]

Great video! Excellent images and music and dogs

[@mountainwanderer]

Thank you! Thanks for checking it out!

[@louboyish]

I love your videos. Spectacular mountain vistas. Lovely lakes. Good dogs.

[@mountainwanderer]

Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to check them out!

[@ricklarry4212]

Spectacular mountain views all around. Douglas Lake was a really nice campsite. Wouldn't have wanted to leave but the mountains beckon. Enjoyed seeing the fox by Frazier Lake. Also a sweet sunset at the same lake. The llamas packing thru the trail was a surprise. The view of the forested valley before Crater Lake was a stunner. Thanks for sharing, Travis.

[@mountainwanderer]

This was one of the best trips I've done, period. Once we started in to the Eagle Caps, the views were non-stop!

[@dankerns171]

Another great viedo. Love those dogs enjoying freedom 🐾🐾

[@mountainwanderer]

Thanks! I've been criticized for keeping them off leash while hiking ... in the places I hike, I wouldn't have it any other way

[@mmoutdoors1]

Love the Eagle Caps! I've been binge watching your channel to get me through winter lol. Such a beautiful area, we did the more traditional lakes basin loop from the other side a couple years ago, one of my favorite trips to date. The eagle caps are such a well rounded wilderness, so many good trails in there.

[@mountainwanderer]

I am in love with the Eagles Caps! I've only done 2 trips there so far, but one thing that I love about the area is that the trails are very "hike-able". You might be climb 2k ft but the trail is graded in a way that it is just steady but manageable climb. Can't wait to go back! Thanks for watching (all of them)!

[@shekman111]

Awesome tour down memory lane. I hiked that same loop back in 91. I spent the summer in Halfway as a Forest Service grunt but usually headed up East Eagle on my weekends. Thanks for sharing!!!!!

[@mountainwanderer]

Right on! This is still one of my favorite trips I've done. What an incredible place!

[@sistercarrieofyahuah8601]

I love it so beautiful 😍

[@mountainwanderer]

It is a really beautiful area! Thanks for watching!

[@sierrashere8197]

Thank you for taking me on a " good morning hike " .

[@mountainwanderer]

Thank you for joining us!

[@TheWasatchGearReview]

Man I love your channel. Your narrative and the filming and editing are a pleasure to watch! Well put together👏👏 I always look forward to your videos. 🍻 That fox was so majestic, they are one of my favorite animals!

[@mountainwanderer]

Thanks, man! If you look close, it looked like that fox had a bit of a limp. I don't think any of our dogs ever saw him.... they were too busy sleeping it off. 🦊

[@5wheels521]

Another absolutely beautiful trip,,, you guys and your dogs are awesome, 💞🐕🐶👍💞

[@mountainwanderer]

We had most of our pack with us on this one. More dogs than hikers!

[@j.g7377]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@mountainwanderer]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@mountainsaunter2061]

Awesome video. Thank you.

[@mountainwanderer]

Thanks for watching!

[@BryanDeLay]

Great shots and great editing! This is my favorite video of yours that I've watched. Absolutely beautiful area.

[@mountainwanderer]

Thanks, Bryan! I'm already dreaming of going back.

[@maxmendez2196]

Awesome adventure and footage!🐺

[@mountainwanderer]

It was easy to get great footage here because it was everywhere you look. Thanks for watching!

[@PerfDayToday]

Perfect trip, by coming in from the south you miss all the big crowds from Wallowa Lake etc. less populated, nice.

[@mountainwanderer]

This is still one of my favorite trips of all time! Less crowds from the south and the walk into that valley from the start just setup the whole trip! Beauty throughout!

[@sandiestrutin2353]

What an awesome hike!

[@mountainwanderer]

Thank you for watching!

[@garygoldsmith9844]

Gorgeous country!

[@mountainwanderer]

Some of the most gorgeous country that I have walked through!

[@wade2361]

Loved it! I've been in the Wallowas a handful of times and I hope to have handful more before I kick off. One thing I noticed missing was the whiskey bottle. :)

[@mountainwanderer]

I'm hoping I get back there myself. It's incredible and worth another visit. Don't worry, you may not have seen the bottle, but it was there.

[@PumpkinVillage]

That was one of the prettier areas yet. Definitely have to go back for sure. The pack looked good. Thanks for the video and take care, Al

[@mountainwanderer]

It sure was! We definitely had a pack on this one. Luckily we spotted the llamas well before they got to us so we could get them all well off of the trail.

[@rickgriffin3567]

Great video guys, loved everything about it. I camped in Joseph, OR about a month ago. That whole area is breathtaking.

[@mountainwanderer]

The Wallowas are incredible mountains!

[@NorthwestWanderer]

Glorious!

[@mountainwanderer]

Have you been down there? Same kind of terrain that I see you hiking through.

[@NorthwestWanderer]

@@mountainwanderer Only once. My wife and I did Two Pan to Mirror Lake then to the summit of Eagle Cap. Really want to go back to that range. It's like the sawtooths, cascades and sierras had a baby. Extremely beautiful place, I got excited when my sub notification showed your video popping up of this area. Great watch! my wife loved the dogs lol

[@mountainwanderer]

@@NorthwestWanderer So true! That area is incredible! I hope I will be back soon.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Man, you really know how to adventure. This next season my goal is to get outside of my Utah bubble and see some of these other places. Thanks for sharing another fantastic edit.

[@mountainwanderer]

Thanks! Funny, one of my goals is to try to get back to the Uintas next year. I have a running list of places that I want to go, this one has been on there for a while.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Right on. If you make it my way for a trip let me know

[@mountainwanderer]

@@thebackpackblazer3973 Definitely! I would love to get out with you and TWGR!

[@legendaryfishingadventurs2534]

Agreed. Utah is to safe nothing ever happens here and the wild life has gone done as will I live in chester utah and I don't see half the wild life I used to.

[@rachelhybrid632]

Hi from England....a new subscriber... .. love your videos and dogs ... Thankyou so very much 😊

[@mountainwanderer]

Hello and Welcome! Thanks for coming along with us!

[@rachelhybrid632]

@@mountainwanderer so great !

[@Rivskidd]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Not many individuals do so myself included. As of late, I have been changing my perspective. You have helped influence this.

[@mountainwanderer]

Thank you for checking out our content! We really appreciate it!

[@sistercarrieofyahuah8601]

I'm looking for someone to go way out with like this mt dog and his pack. Love all the Oregon wilderness

[@mountainwanderer]

Seems like my dog Timber was born for this. He loves it when I bust out his pack because he knows that adventure is not far behind.

[@509trailblazers5]

Love the video it’s such a beautiful area

[@mountainwanderer]

It has turned into one of my favorites!

[@509trailblazers5]

@@mountainwanderer easily a favorite

[@robertwagner7867]

Great vid and channel! Thanks for sharing. Joey referred me to you on your Bob Marshall trip. Glad he did! Really enjoy your content and video structure.

[@mountainwanderer]

Thank you! I really loved that trip with Joey. I'm hoping that we can do another one (or two) next year.

[@mrlinkus6593]

This is perfect. Thanks for filming it. Watched the whole thing because of the dogs.

[@mountainwanderer]

Thanks for checking it out! This was an amazing trip! I can't wait to get back to the Eagle Caps!

[@mathateuo1653]

I really appreciate your heart for the wilderness and the work that you put into sharing it with all of us! The views are a testimony to their Creator! I hope to backpack this with my wife one day! Thanks for all you do!

[@mountainwanderer]

That is fantastic! It's not too bad of a hike getting there, and the views are worth it!

[@farcountrydag]

Really a nice video. 👍👍

[@mountainwanderer]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@farcountrydag]

@@mountainwanderer 🙂👍

[@deviajesypaseos4431]

Excelente vídeo

[@mountainwanderer]

Thank you!

[@peterguercio9504]

America the beautiful!

[@mountainwanderer]

It is that!

[@constatinexipalaeologus507]

I day hiked and backpacked in the Eaglecap wilderness many times when I lived in Walla Walla, WA in the 90s. Living in southern Arizona we have great places to hike but Eaglecap will always be one of my favorite places. I still dream of backpacking the Pecos wilderness 7 hours via car from us in Northern New Mexico. In 2013 I flew to Pasco, WA then I went camping with friends from Walla Walla & Spokane and camped on the Lostine River but the rain cut our hike short and we barely made it into the wilderness area. I must return!

[@mountainwanderer]

The Eagle Caps are that special. I've never hiked through country that was anything like it. We both have to get back there!

[@Mike-cj3nw]

@@mountainwanderer it's very similar to the high sierras

[@TheExpendables4]

wonderful nature....3 happy dogs...big like and sub. 👍💪

[@mountainwanderer]

Welcome to the channel! Hopefully much more to come!

[@janel7284]

bravo!! a tender soul with wanderlust! thank you! a refreshing change from video influencers of a different era. Oregon the beautiful. wondering what the dogs are packing? LOVE and cheers!

[@mountainwanderer]

Thank you! Our dogs are always packing their own food.

[@falconmoose5435]

Good dogs.

[@mountainwanderer]

For the most part. .😂

[@bobparsons77]

Terrific video again. I hear there are some valued butterfly breeding areas up there. Bob Alberta.

[@mountainwanderer]

Thank you! I didn't know anything about the breeding areas, but I know it's a beautiful area.

[@jenb.6440]

wow! that was a spectacular film; I watched it last year prior to going to the Wallowas but after going there it is more understandable to me ... we're going again next week but I don't think we'll be able to make it over Hawkins Pass this early in the season? any thoughts .. as usual, I love your filming, the timing and shots are perfect, I especially loved the night shot of the dog backlit by Douglas lake and I always love seeing the dogs sleeping - beautiful footage and great information; thank you!

[@mountainwanderer]

I haven't heard much about the Eagle Caps and the snow levels so I am not sure about Hawkins Pass. Have a great trip!

[@stihlsawrepairs7955]

Thanks for sharing that hike experience! Beautiful country to be sure. Hey, did you guys run into any other walkers besides the people with the llamas?

[@mountainwanderer]

We saw plenty of other backpackers & hikers, but only the one group using Llamas.

[@LetzBeaFranque]

Excellent? Subscribed.

[@mountainwanderer]

Thanks for coming along with us! Welcome aboard!

[@humphreyin]

Really enjoyed your video. The narration really adds a nice touch. Question for you, ever have any troubles with your dogs backcountry camping? We are moving out to Oregon in June and I'm excited about bring my dog on some long hikes but a little worried about how she will act when she sees animals.

[@mountainwanderer]

I suppose that depends on your dog. I've never had any issues with my dog in the back country. My dog pretty much stays on trail while we're hiking. We've run into a couple bears, deer, elk, wolves and a cougar. My dog wants to chase deer but I've been able to keep him close in the past. He wanted to chase the cougar too, but luckily he listened to me and turned back.

[@mcspin50]

What a beautiful area! Some of the vistas and sunsets looked like paintings. Just curious...do you keep the dogs tied up at night while you're sleeping?

[@mountainwanderer]

Sometimes I do tie my dog up but most of the time I don't. I did tie him when we were at Frazier Lake, just because there were so many campers there and I didn't want him wandering into their camp, though I doubt he would. Normally where we hike there aren't any people so I just let him go where he wants. I pack a little pad for him to sleep on, and he pretty much sticks to that.

[@SpawnAbhi]

Days Gone..

[@mountainwanderer]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@pilowespo]

Another hike from my favorite hiking book 100 hikes in the Inland Northwest. Always love to see one of the hikes I haven't done yet. Did the hike to Swamp Lake in Eagle Cap Wilderness last year. Some of the best mountain scenery to hike through. Thanks for posting this hike and all the others. Great video!

[@mountainwanderer]

I have that book too... though I didn't use it for finding this trip. I thought that I was subscribed to your channel already, but somehow I wasn't... fixed that. Looks like we are stomping a lot of the same trails. Did you go into Swamp Lake from the east? Our next trip in to the Eagle Caps will likely start somewhere around there. Had to go to the southern part of the wildness to get that part of it out of the way (long drive for us)

[@mountainwanderer]

I've watched your Long Canyon video at least twice. We were going to do that one this year, but decided to do the Eagle Caps instead. Hopefully we'll do Long Canyon in 2020.

[@pilowespo]

@@mountainwanderer Used the Two Pan trailhead. It is by far the busiest trailhed I've ever been too becuse its so close to lakes basin.

[@pilowespo]

@@mountainwanderer If you do the Long Canyon hike take your time. Four days is not enough time to really enjoy the hike. It's a very special area.

[@mountainwanderer]

@@pilowespo The Lakes Basin was a really neat place, but yeah, that is where we saw the most people.

[@victor-th4qs]

My old home. Halfway, Oregon.

[@mountainwanderer]

I would love to be able to call the Wallowas my backyard!

[@MarksRealPL57]

Well Done !! What video camera were you using? When I had my horse's I covered many of these trails. Steamboat Lake up the North Minam River was one of my favorite trips.

[@mountainwanderer]

There were 2 of us filming and we both had multiple cameras on this trip. I don't really know what he was using, but I used an iPhone and a GoPro

[@agniyogabyinessa]

I love this channel! Anyone knows what song is playing after 6:00?

[@mountainwanderer]

Thank you! All of the music in these videos is done by me.

[@agniyogabyinessa]

@@mountainwanderer where I can listen your music? I love it!

[@mountainwanderer]

That song is not online anywhere. I recorded specifically for use in the videos.

[@willrudolph1169]

I grew up hunting and fishing all over the Wallowa mountains I miss them very much.

[@mountainwanderer]

I can believe that you miss them, what a place to grow up! I have a whole new appreciation for the Wallowas!

[@mojorisen1295]

Do ya have to dig a cat hole every time your dog poops? Or do you leave no trace behind? 3 dogs has got to pretty heavy to pack out! At least they can keep the little bears out of your snacks!

[@mountainwanderer]

The dogs are great at keeping animals out of camp! I don’t usually deal with poop unless it is near a camp or trail

[@douglasdunbar5410]

8:30 Pupper pack posse enroute!

[@mountainwanderer]

Keep those doggies moving!

[@randygeorge6386]

I noticed your hiking partner was carrying a gun. Are there bears at that Wilderness? What were you guys expecting or is that just normal for you guys?

[@mountainwanderer]

That is just a normal thing for him. I don't carry anything personally. We weren't doing anything special for bears in there. I don't remember ever seeing any sign either.

[@David12212]

how bad are the mosquitos there?

[@mountainwanderer]

It's like most mountains - really bad in early summer, gets less and less late in the summer.

[@JasonAlexzander1q47]

Was there gold mining there?

[@mountainwanderer]

I really have no idea about that, sorry.