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West Lostine River Loop


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West Lostine River Loop

A moderately strenuous backpack in Oregon's Wallowa high country and Eagle Cap Wilderness. Enjoy grand scenery, stunning granite peaks, lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, sparkling streams, wildlife, forests, and more.

Getting there

From OR-82 at Lostine, drive south 14.0 miles on Lostine River Road (it becomes Forest Road 8210) to the Bowman/Frances Lake Trailhead (5,200 ft). Leave a car here if you plan to car shuttle. Continue the 3.3 miles to the  Two Pan Trailhead (5,600 ft).

on the trail

A classic Wallowa Mountain backpack with trails along several lovely high lakes (Steamboat, Swamp, and Chimney to name a few), sparkling, meandering and cascading streams, small to expansive meadows filled with subalpine and alpine wildflowers, potential wildlife sightings (pikas, goats, elk and more), scattered forests, and high passes with wide-ranging views. 

The backpack  begins at Two Pan trailhead and ends at Bowman trailhead in the Lostine valley, with a short car shuttle or road walk between trailheads.  A variety of camp settings and water sources are abundant.  The loop is a great 4-6 day backpack with rich opportunities for photography, nature enjoyment, and rewarding Wallowa mountain scenery.

notes

Recommended guidebooks in addition to our 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon:

  • Backpacking Oregon: From Rugged Coastline to Mountain Meadow 2nd ed by Douglas Lorain (Wilderness Press 2007)  - see Lostine-Minam Loop.
  • 100 Hikes/Travel Guide Eastern Oregon 3rd ed by  William L. Sullivan (Navillus Press 2015) - see Chimney & Steamboat Lakes.
  • Hiking Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness 3rd ed by Fred Barstad (Falcon Guides 2014) - see the excellent trail section details for West Fork Lostine, Copper Creek, North Minam River, Bowman Trail, and Chimney Lake.
  • Suitable Activities: Backpacking
  • Seasons: July, August, September, October
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
  • Length: 36.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 6,900 ft
Map
  • Green Trails Wallowa Mountains No. 475SX
  • Imus Geographics Wallowa Mountains
  • USGS Steamboat Lake, OR
  • USGS North Minam Meadows, OR
  • USGS Chief Joseph Mountain, OR
  • USGS Eagle Cap, OR
Activities
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Lostine North Minam Loop (Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon)
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