The Wallowas are more famous for backpack trips and its beautiful alpine lakes. With a little imagination, the rock climbing could (in the distant future) be a popular climbing area. With Sacajawea Peak as the high point (9880), the rock in these mountains is Yosemite like granite with some basalt and limestone/marble walls. Many of the granite walls range from 100 feet to 1,000 + foot walls, rare for Oregon. With very few known existing routes, some good places to explore are Eagle Cap, Main Eagle Creek, Pine Lakes, the Matterhorn, Cusick Mountain, Hawkins Pass area, and the Blue Hole for deep water bouldering. The Mountains are in a wilderness area so no drills (and preferably no bolts). Great 1st ascent adventure climbing! Season is only July-September because of the 20 + feet of snow every year!
Getting There
Trailheads are located in Joseph 1 hour east of La Gande, and Halfway 1 hour East of Baker City.
i put up some routes in the eagle caps and all over NE oregon mostly in the 80's. there is a small but prolific group of climbers, mostly out of La Grande, but range from Baker City to Walla Walla that have been involved in routes thoughout the area. Steve Brown, Mark Hauter are still in the area and still active. We had a log for new routes at the outdoor program at the college in La Grande. i'm not sure is it still exists, but you could start there. we didn't write a lot down, mostly because we wanted to keep the place on the down low. the climbing in NE oregon is extensive, diverse and quality. places like High Valley, Spring Mtn, Elgin Wall, Hells Canyon, Wallowa Lake Greenstone, Eagle Caps, the Elkhorn Range all provide options and opportunities for the adventurous climber.
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