Climbing above Wallowa Lake Climbing above Wallowa Lake One of the many pretty creeks along the East Fork Wallowa river Old Water pipe along the East Fork Wallowa River Old Water pipe along the East Fork Wallowa River - I found out that this is used to pipe water to the turbine at the start of the trail - it generates 1.1 MW of power according to the site I found A small cabin next to the diversion dam The diversion dam partway up the trail Closeup of the old cabin near the diversion dam - maybe this was related to the "Royal Purple Mine" listed on the map? Different view of the diversion dam The "road" up the hill seems to have pretty much become a jungle. We were trying to find the old mine, but gave up after encountering this. We still had several miles to hike and didn't feel like negotiating all the brush The lake behind the diversion dam The spillway to the dam We are entering the wilderness now! Climbing up the trail (a continuing theme on this trip) East fork the Wallowa river Crossing over the East Fork Wallowa river Opening up into our first meadow - unnamed mountain in the distance Opening up into our first meadow - unnamed mountain in the distance This was an odd looking "bowl" right next to the trail. It looked like someone had dug a small pond, but I'm sure it was completely natural. Meadow along East Fork Wallowa river trail Meadow along East Fork Wallowa river trail Bad picture of the half moon at Aneroid Lake Aneroid Lake from near our campsite Looking back at our campsite (in the trees) at Aneroid Lake Aneroid Lake Aneroid Lake One of the cabins at Camp Halton on Aneroid Lake More cabins at Camp Halton on Aneroid Lake One of the cabins at Camp Halton on Aneroid Lake - this almost looks like it could have been a mine entrance. The "Store" at Camp Halton - Aneroid Lake Sign for Camp Halton Starting the climb up to Tenderfoot pass One of many trail junctions Aneroid Mountain The hills around while we were climbing to Tenderfoot pass Aneroid Mountain and maybe East Peak and Mt Howard? Getting close to tenderfoot pass One of many "No Fires Beyond This Point" signs - we wondered why it was in quotes - it is weird since it is a statement, not a quote The last push up to Tenderfoot pass Heading over Tenderfoot pass - heading to Polaris Pass This tree has to be ancient - it is amazing it is still standing - all gnarled Making sure we were taking the right junction - many of the signs were hard to read they were so weathered. This trail headed up to the North Fork Imnaha river I think Beautiful fall colors covered the hillsides North Fork Imnaha river valley Wide open spaces - heading up to Polaris Pass Wide open spaces - heading up to Polaris Pass North Fork Imnaha river valley North Fork Imnaha river valley Polaris Pass - looking into the West Fork Wallowa river valley - Sentinel peak to the left, Glacier Pass Peak in the middle, Pete's Sentinel ridge to the right Polaris Pass - looking into the West Fork Wallowa river valley Glacier Pass Peak in the middle Looking north up the West Fork Wallowa River valley - we will be up there in 2 days. Headed down the first of MANY switchbacks (I think I counted 45) "Where on earth is this trail taking us?" Down, down, and down....It was interesting to see how it weaved its way down to the valley floor Sentinel Peak rising above us while we head down Interesting rock formations More interesting rock formations as we head down More interesting rock formations as we head down Looking south to where we will be heading Waterfall coming down the side of the hill Cascading waterfall coming down the hillside - according to the map this is a spring We will be down there later Finally finished all the switchbacks and we are now following the West Fork Wallowa river south. Un-named peaks above West Fork Wallowa river - east side Trail opens up into a small meadow Un-named peak above West Fork Wallowa river - west side Heading south and then up to Frazier Lake Crossing the headwaters of West Fork Wallowa River - starting climb to Frazier Lake Small Waterfall on West Fork Wallowa River I was amazed at how big the river was, even this far up the canyon. Frazier Lake Frazier Lake Frazier Lake Frazier Lake The west side of Frazier lake is meadowy/swampy After leaving Frazier Lake, we followed the West Fork Wallowa River to its headwaters - Glacier Lake - our camp for night 2 Looking back down from where we camp - at Glacier Lake Glacier Lake with Glacier Peak in the background Our campsite with Eagle Cap in the background Glaicer Peak and Eagle Cap rising above Glacier Lake Another island on Glacier Lake Glacier Lake Morning Light on Gliacier Lake - Glacier Peak above Morning light on Glacier lake - Eagle Cap above Climbing above Glacier lake to Glacier Pass Climbing above Glacier lake to Glacier Pass Looking back down at Glacier Lake and the West Fork Wallowa river valley Almost to Glacier Pass Glacier Pass Interesting how much the scenery changes on the other side of the pass - Carly and I both liked the Glacier Lake side better Eagle cap rising in the distance. We will be up there later in the day Last look at Glacier Lake? Heading down to Moccasin Lake Another anicent gnarly tree Two trees almost look the same - one alive, one dead We followed this creek down the hill We finally made it down to the flat meadowy area near Moccasin lake - We finally made it down to the flat meadowy area near Moccasin lake - Our first look at Moccasin Lake - another large lake Moccasin Lake Eagle Cap rising above the meadows at Moccasin Lake We dropped our packs and are now clibming up to Eagle Cap Mirror Lake Mirror Lake Climbing out of the valley Upper Lake Climbing above Upper Lake East Losting River Valley Heading UP- Eagle cap is getting closer - as we got higher the trail got steeper Eagle Cap I think this is the East Fork Eagle Creek valley Partway up - the view of the Lakes Basin Partway up - the West Lostine River Valley and part of the Lakes basin Nearing the top of Eagle Cap - finally! The trail kind of levels out near the top I think this is the East Fork Eagle Creek valley Lakes basin from on top of Eagle Cap East Fork Lostine River valley and Mirror Lake Lakes basin from top of Eagle Cap Looking towards the West Fork Wallowa River Looking mostly south down the East Fork Eagle Creek valley I think this is Blue lake - West of Eagle Cap More mountains to the west of Eagle cap (as we came back down) I thought this was a cool red rock in the midst of lots of white granite We are back down at the lakes basin We are back down at the lakes basin Coming back to Moccasin Lake Moccasin Lake Douglas Lake - I was consistently amazed at how big and deep these lakes were Douglas Lake Horseshoe Lake - our camp for the third night Horseshoe Lake in the morning mist Horseshoe Lake in the morning mist Horseshoe Lake in the morning mist Heading back down to the six mile meadow Lake creek crossing? West Fork Wallowa river Avalanche damage along west fork Wallowa river trail Avalanche damage along west fork Wallowa river trail West Fork Wallowa River West Fork Wallowa River West Fork Wallowa River Cool old sign as we were leaving the forest (I took it from the back side) Looking north from near Glacier Pass Looking east from Polaris Pass Looking kind of north/northeast from Polaris pass