Eagle Cap Wilderness

Oregon's largest Wilderness encompasses the heart of the Wallowa Mountains, once home to the Nez Perce Indians. It also qualifies as the state's largest continuous alpine area, and it holds Legore Lake, at 8,880 feet the highest lake above sea level in the state. This vast region has almost 60 high alpine lakes, surrounded by open meadows, bare granite peaks and ridges, and classical U-shaped glacial valleys thickly forested in their lower sections and rising to scattered stands of alpine timber. Elevations start at about 3,000 feet and top out at 9,845 feet on Sacajawea Peak near the center of the area; thirty-one summits exceed 8,000 feet. Many fish species can be found in the miles of streams and rivers. Elk, deer, mountain goats and bighorn sheep range here, as do wolves, black bears, bobcats and mountain lions. Approximately 534 miles of trails provide opportunities to travel throughout the area. Trailheads range from rustic sites with low amenities, requiring high-clearance vehicles, to paved parking areas with restrooms. Some of these sites require a trailhead parking permit, such as the Northwest Forest Pass.